Medieval Black Metal conjurers STORMKEEP return with their first full length to follow the highly appraised EP from last year (read my review here). Out via Van Records on November 19th.
Beginning with a haunting piece of clean guitars and ambience, the ancient mystique of what lies ahead is set with a gorgeous introduction. Blasting into a cacophony is truly triumphant Black Metal with scathing drums and riffs alongside glacial synths, topped with maliciously howled vocals, that powerful sound we have heard on the EP returns in full force. The natural progression in the guitar melodies is splendid while the drums are packed with fills and breaks that keep the blast beats from losing impact. Although an integral part of the sound, the synths are perfectly subtle to elevate the more extreme components of the sound and aid in the overall atmosphere rather than just spoiling the ferocity that is abundant. The guitar work is no less intriguing, with clean passages, aggressive moments and these intricate melodies that are beautifully woven in a manner most resplendent. To make such a gorgeous atmosphere with a malice so strong is a hard balance but the opening tracks of this album should convince purists that this is worthy of being called Black Metal while taking us into the deepest dungeons of times yonder.
Continuing on the instrumentation, the intricacies do not stop at the riffs. We see the keys jump from organs, to chilling synths and all manner of other brilliant soundscapes while the guitars hold just as much diversity. Utilising massive soloing and lead work to convey a piercing emotional side to the savagery of the riffs and rhythmically contorting drums, there is a profound density and also expansiveness to their sound. Vocally, the rabid snarls are the most prolific but we do see some Emperor-style chanting used to glorious effect, adding yet more complexity to the recording at hand. From utmost aggression to folkier moments that dance with a sonic prowess of the most enchanting realms, this contrast is handled to perfection while the clear yet mystical production envelopes all of this sound into a vision that is easy to fall into. It would be easy to get lost in the abyss of dullness and reliance on repetitive ambient passages over songwriting but thankfully Stormkeep have mastered both to include those sweeping cinematic moments in an album that is inarguably metallic and forceful too. Knowing when to be orchestral, melodic and utterly barbaric, there is no complacency on this record. In fact the sheer excellence of these transitions are huge part of why the sound is such a spectacular one. This middle-ground is a clear indication of why they have instantly become so revered.
A tale of inescapable battle, constructed with a wisdom like no other, this music is a unique journey and yet feels familiar. Perhaps due to their clear influence from 90s Black Metal pioneers which is harnessed but not exploited as mere nostalgia to craft a potent concoction of spectral spell-casting with their luminescent soundscapes that carefully interweave all the elements into a tapestry that feels balanced with almost scientific precision. It’s incredibly difficult to make Black Metal this atmospheric while keeping all of the more furious, feral elements in the foreground but Stormkeep seem to effortlessly hold the balance with remarkable stoicism. An impregnable fortress of sound that you will be truly awe-struck to explore the inner chambers of, this is something special and unforgettable. Perhaps some could argue many of the individual elements have a derivative nature and do not walk new ground, but the path traversed here does not feel like a repetition of history but rather an exploration of its deepest, most mysterious passages.
A majestic and haunting opus of Black Metal magnificence that will take you to an ancient land where adventure and sorcery are always present. Heroic, bold, devastating and brutally intense. This music is utterly ensnaring and wonderfully composed to the point of successfully taking you into the world in which they dwell.
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Really excited to hear this. I loved Galdrum, not least because as good as it was, it hinted at the fact that they were capable of so much more, and it sounds like they’ve delivered on that promise.