Release Date: 19 November 2021
Song Count: 6
Duration: 43 minutes, 9 seconds
Rating: 8.2/10
Description:
The magnificent story of a wizard going on a grand adventure to defeat the forces of evil using its powerful magic begins in Denver, Colorado, where the symphonic black metal band Stormkeep is based. Approaching the tail end of the year 2021, the band saw their first - and so far latest, at least as of writing - full-length album release out into the ether, a mystical and anticipated record known as Tales of Othertime. Where the blend of blackened aggression masked in darkness meeting melodies and rich musicality left off previously with their EP Galdrum a year prior, this record picks right back up and channels into something more grand-sounding than Stormkeep's music has ever been.
With their complex riffs and guitar lines colliding with the intensity and weight one would expect from a black metal record particularly emphasised by member Isaac Faulk's vocals, the comparatively small collection of tracks have a lot to offer to the listener to create an enticing and fulfilling musical experience. Each and every moment of the album is set on outperforming itself, constantly bringing in new elements, changes in tempo and energy, and different melody directions to reel in one's attention and retain it in full, whilst also firmly keeping its cohesiveness and consistency as it tells a grandiose tale of a powerful sorcerer embarking on a journey to eliminate malevolent creatures and prove their worth through not only its lyrics, but also its musical direction. Not shying away from the signature stylistic elements within the subgenre often considered "cheesy" or even "cringe-worthy", it non-apologetically plays its concepts entirely straight and does so in spectacular fashion.
Both this and the previous black metal album we have looked at on this site from a few days back have thoroughly shattered my initial expectations coming in with admittedly limited experience in the black metal subgenre, and to see simply how much is possible within this medium in terms of both musical prowess and creative storytelling is a fascinating and delightful revelation. Tales of Othertime simply manages to keep one engaged with the way that it progresses, almost as if having cast a spell on the listener using magic, and really leaves one wishing for more music in this style - and though that drought may only be partially quenched thus far with only one new EP release since this record graced the public, there shall hopefully be more to come for Stormkeep and their fans in the future.