The DevilsHorns

Denver Colorado – the home of black metal. Well, maybe not, but it is where Stormkeep hail from, and they have just released album number 2, The Nocturnes of Iswylm to try and, perhaps, claim the title of home of American black metal – or maybe not again.

At just under 45 minutes in length, this 7 track album does not overrun. For an album in a genre that can delve into pomposity at times, they manage to control each track, starting with album opener, ‘The Taste of Immortal Blood’.  With a nice nod to old school black metal, the vocals are grimy and it contains a big riff which is welcoming.

‘The Black Dragons of Iswylm’ then arrives to showcase a different aspect to the band. A slower intro helps the song develop and the sounds of piano keys tinkering is incredibly effective. More restrained, the song has a grandiose aura that is juxtaposed with the vocal approach from Otheyn Vermithrax. He vomits the vocals with delightful aggression.

particular the final 2 songs, ‘Carnal Tapestries of Nailtorn Flesh’ and the excellent closing epic, ‘Ballad of A Fallen Star’. The latter is particularly effective, with the band saving the best until last. Like all good albums, the last track leaves you disappointed it is over.

There are disappointing aspects. Although grandiose and well delivered, The Nocturnes of Iswylm doesn’t bring anything updated to the genre – to be fair, in a genre where change can be, let’s say, ‘frowned upon’, this is perhaps an unfair criticism. However, it has to be said that we are not presented with anything not heard before.

But this is a mere pimple of a criticism. If you are a black metal fan, if you like black metal from the new capital of American black metal, then Stormkeep are your band, and The Nocturnes of Iswylm is a good an album to start your journey to Colorado!

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