Stormkeep The Nocturnes Of Isylym Review
Stormkeep
The Nocturnes Of Isylym
Vesperian
2026
Colorado’s Black Metallers, Stormkeep are really starting to lock into their own lane with their latest full length “The Nocturnes of Iswylym”. Picking up where “Tales of Othertime” left off, this new effort leans even harder into that “Black Metal Symphonia” idea - medieval atmosphere, fantasy storytelling, and a real sense of scale that actually sticks.
The production is clean, but not in a way that ruins it. Co-produced with Michael Zech and mastered by Arthur Rizk, it’s got clarity and punch without losing that cold edge. Everything feels in place, nothing buried, nothing overblown.
The clean vocals are probably the biggest standout here. When they show up, they land - strong, almost regal, and used with enough restraint that they don’t pull you out of the record.
What really sells it though is the songwriting. There’s more direction this time around. It still has that drifting, atmospheric quality Stormkeep are known for, but it feels more controlled, more intentional, like they’re building something instead of just setting a mood.
Standouts – “Saccharine Subjugation”, “Carnal Tapestries Of Nailtorn Flesh” and “Ballad Of A Fallen Star”.