STYGIAN STORM – Countless Dawns Of Blood And Iron

vote
7.5

• Bands:
  STYGIAN STORM
• Duration: 00:31:36
• Available from: 05/15/2026
• Label:

• Medieval Prophecy Records

In a world now densely interconnected and dominated by social networks of all shapes and sizes, it is nice to know that there is still space for things done 'as they once were', especially in a field that owes much of its original charm to the 'unsaid' and the aura of mystery such as that of black metal.
This is the case of the Belgian label Medieval Prophecy Records, whose roster is made up almost entirely of bands that are practically impossible to find online, except on behalf of third parties; the label itself doesn't even promote its releases through promos sent to newspapers, relying solely on word of mouth from enthusiasts (and their YouTube channels, yes) to spread its word. An attitude that will undoubtedly make fans of a certain way of experiencing the genre happy, and which would be even more exciting if it were not often linked to the world of NSBM productions (but this is another matter, with which every black metal fan has already had the opportunity to do their own calculations and their own choices of field for some time).

The title of this second full-length by the Catalan Stygian Storm, in fact, will undoubtedly have made a light bulb go off for the fans of one of the most famous bands of the aforementioned controversial scene: we are obviously talking about Satanic Warmaster and, without a doubt, the influence of the Finns, especially in their most arcane and fiercely combative guise, is clearly felt, in the flow of this successful “Countless Dawns Of Blood And Iron”, although the musical influences that can be found among its grooves they are certainly not limited to the band led by the good Werwolf.
In the compositions of the duo formed by Tyrant and Crucifier, in fact, we can find numerous ideas, ranging from the Satyricon of the first three, legendary, albums to the first Godkiller (those of the first two demos and the historic mini “The Rebirth Of The Middle Ages”), all innervated by grandiloquent references to the ambient black metal scene reminiscent of the exploits of the various Ellfor, Evilfeast and the inevitable Summoning, with some episodes in the beloved epic territories to the Bathory of the Viking period, the Falkenbach and the first Vintersorg and Borknagar, without forgetting more contemporary acts such as Vargrav and Warmoon Lord.

As you will have undoubtedly guessed, Stygian Storm have a clear and declared predilection for medieval black metal in clear nineties style: a predilection that they have been able to capitalize on and make the most of in their compositions, in which they demonstrate that they know how to master the genre not only with full knowledge of the facts, but also with considerable dexterity.
Noted as the deliberately lo-fi production (but still quite clear and intelligible), it is in fact undeniable like the old-school fury – woven on riffs recalling arcane melodies and mitigated by grandiloquent synth openings with the scent of ancient ruins, past glories and dusty declines – of songs such as “The Last Stand” (absolute highlight of the album, enriched by epic choruses with a great emotional impact, moreover scattered a little all the rest of the album), “The King Who Never Dies”, “Through The Ruins Of A World Forgotten” and “The Scarlet Knight (Son Of Blood And Iron)” (in which the beautiful cover image almost seems to come to life), will be able to send more than a shiver down the backs of fans of these sounds.

The development of the pieces, in fact, is as evocative and malignant as it is dynamic and captivating and, while not reinventing anything (as one might expect from a work with these prerogatives), this “Countless Dawns Of Blood And Iron” will be able to give a generous half hour of great quality, filled with quite a few sincerely exciting moments, to all listeners who carry in their hearts albums such as “Dark Medieval Times”, the aforementioned “The Rebirth Of The Middle Ages”, “Karelian Satanist Madness” or “Wintermoon Enchantment”.
For those with ears to listen, the past is more alive and present than ever. Promoted without reservations.