STORMKEEP Tales Of Othertime

I don’t listen to black metal nearly as often as I did 15–20 years ago, but every so often an album emerges that demands attention. Tales of Othertime, the latest offering from Denver-based Stormkeep, is one of those rare records.

Firmly rooted in the symphonic and orchestral wing of black metal, Stormkeep draw heavily from the Norwegian greats in terms of atmosphere and musical language. Lyrically, however, they venture into fantasy and medieval lore, weaving narratives that feel closer to epic literature than traditional black metal misanthropy.

The album’s structure is deceptively simple: four sprawling tracks running between eight and eleven minutes, framed by two shorter instrumentals, for a total runtime just over 43 minutes. Yet within that framework lies a level of craft that sets Tales of Othertime apart. The production is polished without sacrificing grit, the arrangements are rich without tipping into excess, and above all, the songwriting is remarkably assured.

What makes the record truly shine is the way Stormkeep balance grandeur with momentum. Their orchestral flourishes and fantasy-driven themes never feel ornamental—they serve the songs, elevating them. Imagine a fusion of Dimmu Borgir’s Stormblåst, Emperor’s In the Nightside Eclipse, and Rhapsody’s Legendary Tales, and you’ll have a fair sense of the territory they’re charting.

I didn’t expect this album to hit as hard as it did, and while time will determine its ultimate legacy, it has all the makings of a future genre classic. I was tempted to give it a perfect score, but in the end, it lands at a strong nine out of ten.

Discography:

Tales Of Othertime (2021)