Band:	Vesperian Sorrow
Album:	Stormwinds Of Ages
Style:	Symphonic black metal
Release date:	April 24, 2012
A review by:	Troy Killjoy

01. Sanguis Vitam Est
02. Stormwinds Of Ages
03. An Empire To Mourn
04. Casting Dawn Into A Shadow
05. Crown Of Glass
06. Legacies Befallen
07. Eye Of The Clock Tower
08. Oracle From The Ashes
09. Relics Of The Impure
10. Death She Cried
11. Of Opiates And Accolades

Vesperian Sorrow formed over a decade ago, evolving from a more traditional black metal band to that of a symphonic-driven outfit. When tags like that are thrown around, one immediately thinks Dimmu Borgir; and in this instance, the comparison isn't too far off.

Having taken their time to develop into what they are today, Vesperian Sorrow have been able to adopt their own signature style within a sub-genre that doesn't make it easy on musicians to extend beyond the confines of its relatively limited boundaries. Either you focus too much on the black metal aspect and lose sight of the symphonic influences, or stray too far into the symphonic side and forget about the black metal roots. Rest assured, there is a perfect balance on Stormwinds Of Ages, the band's fourth full-length release.

Now, getting back to the Norwegians that helped pioneer this little sub-genre. Think Enthrone Darkness Triumphant infused with Dark Lunacy's The Diarist. Using that melodic death/symphonic black metal template, these guys have presented some truly dynamic songs. They're filled with riff-oriented thrashing madness that instills an "epic" feel, a broad range in extreme vocal styles (not to mention some pseudo-operatic female vocals), and varied drumming (from the typical blastfest of your average black metal band to bombastic beats). Also, it's nice to finally hear a keyboardist who doesn't feel the need to dominate the sound, but contribute to it.

The songs seem to change mood as the album progresses. At times the aggression seems to reach out and take hold of the listener, while the symphonic elements help ease that anger. This game of cat and mouse extends well into the latter portions of the album, where songs like "Death She Cried" take a much more majestic approach. Vesperian Sorrow are careful not to venture into ethereal territory, allowing their melodies to take a walk without getting lost.

Perhaps what's most impressive about this release is the overall sound that comes together so well. Surprisingly, that can be attributed to the band members themselves. The entire album was recorded, mixed, and mastered without the help of any Rick Rubins or Nuclear Blasts - a true testament to the band's artistic integrity and determination.

If you've been doubting the quality of symphonic black metal as of late, let Vesperian Sorrow restore your faith with this injection. It'll only sting a little.