STORMKEEP – The Nocturnes Of Iswylm

vote
7.5

• Bands:
  STORMKEEP
• Duration: 00:44:49
• Available from: 12/06/2026
• Label:

• Vesperian

Everything that revolves around the universe of Blood Incantation is undoubtedly characterized by realities of absolute depth, both in the death metal field with Spectral Voice, and in the black metal field with Wayfarer and Stormkeep – both realities that maintain a very distinct sound, personality and imagery despite the mix of musicians within the groups; a result that is anything but obvious, especially if you think of the Wayfarers and their peculiar reflection on the decadentism of the American Old West.
Stormkeep, who in addition to Isaac Faulk (also the drummer of Blood Incantation) share a bassist and one of the guitarists with Wayfarer, remain firmly anchored to black metal, albeit expressed in a much more classical form and strongly influenced by the Scandinavian and European symphonic school. An approach that brings them closer, from a musical point of view, to what Satyricon, Emperor and Abigor built in their best years.
On a thematic level, however, the band is placed within a decidedly fantasy genre, developed around the universe of Elda, an imaginary world conceived to offer the most immersive experience possible. Just remember the splendid packaging of the first print of the debut, complete with manual and map of the kingdom of Elda.

The critical success of the debut EP “Galdrum” and above all of “Tales Of Othertime”, a true tribute to the sound that characterized a certain current of black metal between the two millennia, did not, however, put a rush on the Denver group, which took a good five years to return with a new work. The result is “The Nocturnes Of Iswylm”, an album which, while remaining faithful to the original concept and configuring itself as a direct sequel to its predecessor, evolves its music towards more progressive, less immediate and darker horizons, in line with a decidedly more macabre and dark narrative.
The connective tissue that linked the first two chapters of the discography is therefore partially severed by the introduction of less immediate structures and more complex compositional research, supported by a good dose of external influences. The power metal hues of the debut in fact leave room for colors closer to gothic and certain solutions borrowed from the world of soundtracks. It is no coincidence that the declared influences include Dead Can Dance, Fields of the Nephilim and Type O Negative, as well as the darker aspects of historical bands such as Nevermore and Blind Guardian.
Even as regards the purely black metal component, it seems that the group has chosen to approach something more similar to the more majestic Dimmu Borgir and Old Man's Child of the second half of their career, as fully demonstrated by the first two songs, “The Black Dragons Of Iswylm” and “The Taste Of Immortal Blood” with the latter, in particular, which almost seems to have come from the pen of the best Galder.
The furious “Saccharine Subjugation” undoubtedly represents the best moment of the entire album, thanks to its complex and theatrical arrangement and a masterfully orchestrated second half, embellished with choral inserts and refined melodic phrasing. “Imperious Sanguine Eroticism” instead sounds like a more introspective Emperor tribute than “IX Equilibrium”, while “Echoes In The Vasts Of Sequestration” presents itself as an imperious ride, characterized by majestic orchestrations and elegant guitar work, close in sensitivity to classic metal and by countless changes in atmosphere and tempo.
The most obvious difference compared to the previous work lies precisely in a greater attention dedicated to the complexity of the arrangements which makes “The Nocturnes Of Iswylm” a more mature work in terms of writing, but also less immediate; an aspect, this, that could curb the enthusiasm of those who had loved the more linear and traditional black metal of “Tales Of Othertime”. This impulse towards a more progressive sound is enhanced by excellent production by Michael Zech, already known for his work with Secrets Of The Moon and The Ruins Of Beverast.
The closing, entrusted to the long and epic “Ballad Of A Fallen Star”, with its heavy dungeon synth influences and its 'Emperorian' majesty, represents the perfect farewell for a work that demonstrates how Stormkeep are still able to keep alive the flame of a sound that seems to falter even in the hands of its historic standard-bearers.

From our point of view we are faced with a less derivative and slightly more personal work, but also less immediate and in need of some additional listening to be fully assimilated. The result is a surprise effect that is inevitably less disruptive than that caused by “Tales Of Othertime”, without this leading to a decrease in overall quality, on the contrary.
So take the time to immerse yourself in the pages of this musical tale: you will inevitably come away enchanted.