STORMKEEP
THE NOCTURNES OF ISWYLM
VESPERIAN
JUNE 12TH, 2026
REVIEWED BY: ANGELICA RAMIREZ
REVIEW SCORE: 9
THE SETUP
If you’ve spent any time keeping up with modern symphonic black metal, Denver’s Stormkeep probably needs no introduction. Since 2017, they’ve been spearheading the genre’s revival, blending classic, melodic atmosphere with a massive sense of fantasy world-building. Now, they’re finally back with their second full-length album, The Nocturnes Of Iswylm (released via Vesperian), which picks up the story right where Tales Of Othertime left off. To bring this next chapter of medieval grandeur to life, the band teamed up with producer Michael Zech and mixing/mastering mastermind Arthur Rizk, resulting in a sound that’s as massive and clear as it is dark. Throw in striking visual artwork from legends Simon Bisley and Valnoir, and you have a release that feels like the absolute real deal.
THE REVIEW
After the successful Tales Of Othertime, like it or not, Stormkeep has become a reference for the new sound of black metal. Consisting of seven new songs and leaning slightly into a more symphonic side, the album makes for a great listen. The keyboard sound in black metal can be really hard to achieve; however, Stormkeep makes it work. Think of early Dimmu Borgir or the much newer Moonlight Sorcery. The mix of clean voices and growling adds a layer of drama and majesty. True to their grandiose sound, the storytelling is really good and is backed by great sound. Every single element is portrayed in such a masterful way that the album hits all the right spots—the traditional black metal sound, but fresher and more innovative.
I think it is a very ambitious album, and every song conveys it. I’m just in awe that a band this young is just killing it with each album.
ADDITIONAL INFO
LINEUP
Otheyn Vermithrax – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Drums
Apokteino – Guitar
Nebula Husk – Bass
Lord Dahthar – Keyboards
FORMATS
The Nocturnes Of Iswylm will be released on standard CD, limited edition cassette (300 copies only available through mailorder, Bandcamp, and the Vesperian webstore), limited CD box (feat. digipak CD, double-sided poster, 4 x photo cards, and 20-page booklet w/ additional art), and digital formats as well as vinyl w/ booklet and extensive artwork in the following color variants:
Black
Violet (EU – Ltd. 500)
Dark Green Ripple (EU – Ltd. 700)
Green (US – Ltd. 500)
Blue Marble (US – Ltd. 700)
Color-In-Color (Bandcamp Europe + Vesperian Webstore Exclusive – Ltd. 300)
Galaxy 2 Color (Bandcamp North America Exclusive – Ltd. 300)
TRACKLISTING
‘The Taste Of Immortal Blood’, ‘The Black Dragons Of Iswylm’, ‘Saccharine Subjugation’, ‘Imperious Sanguine Eroticism’, ‘Echoes In The Vasts Of Sequestration’, ‘Carnal Tapestries Of Nailtorn Flesh’, ‘Ballad Of A Fallen Star’
