This is the third album from US black metallers Stormkeep.
Bright to us by members of Blood Incantation, Lykotonon, and Wayfarer, The Nocturnes of Iswylm contains 46 minutes of engaging symphonic black metal. The return of Stormkeep is one heralded by change, but it’s a most welcome change, as this record is a beast.
The Nocturnes of Iswylm is steeped in 90s grandeur. Rooted firmly in the past, yet delivered with contemporary skill and production values, it is a record made by skilled hands that know the style inside and out.
The music combines the symphonic and melodic styles, and does so in very enjoyable ways. Throw together aspects of Arcturus, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Dissection, Emperor, and Old Man’s Child, and you’ll get a good idea of where it’s coming from. However, like this year’s Worm, Stormkeep offer more than simply a nostalgia trip. The Nocturnes of Iswylm is a full-blown odyssey into Stormkeep’s well-drawn world, which includes modern elements when it needs to.
Stormkeep’s ambitious vision is well-realised on their new record. They’ve tried a few different things, and they pay off. The greater musical range they now have means that The Nocturnes of Iswylm is quite different to its predecessor Tales of Othertime, yet you can see the lineage clearly enough.
If you’re familiar with Stormkeep’s past work, then think of this as a natural development. The Nocturnes of Iswylm is bigger, bolder, and more melodic and grandiose. Stormkeep showcase a greater appreciation for the increasingly varied dynamics that came with the latter half of the 90s, allowing their songwriting to branch out further than it has done previously. It’s orchestral in a way that their music wasn’t previously, with real strings used, and demonstrates a band that are quite comfortable progressing along their chosen blackened pathway.
This new material manages a difficult balancing act – it’s simultaneously strongly reminiscent of the era and bands mentioned above, while also having enough character and personality of its own to warrant its own existence. In effect, The Nocturnes of Iswylm is a success.
For fans of 90s symphonic black metal, this is an essential listening experience.
Wonderbox Metal 