{"id":43970,"date":"2026-07-15T07:28:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T05:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orkus1.com\/stormkeep-interview-1-2\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T07:28:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T05:28:18","slug":"stormkeep-interview-1-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orkus1.com\/en\/stormkeep-interview-1-2\/","title":{"rendered":"STORMKEEP Interview (1\/2)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo: Alex Pace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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In this two-part interview, we talk with Otheyn Vermithrax about the second album, \u201cThe Nocturnes of Iswylm,\u201d with which Stormkeep takes us into their own fantasy world.<\/p>\n\n

Orkus:<\/strong> How did you go about creating this world, and what inspired you in the process?Otheyn Vermithrax<\/strong>:<\/strong> The world of Elda has steadily evolved and grown over time. Ever since the first EP, \u201cGaldrum,\u201d it has been very important to me to set all the lyrics and themes within a single world. This world revealed itself to me during the writing process. So it quickly became clear that all of Stormkeep\u2019s releases would take place in this other place\u2014a place where magic, legends, and myths live on. It\u2019s hard to explain where it comes from. I simply believe that it had been slumbering beneath our world the whole time, until I finally discovered it. <\/p>\n\n

O:<\/strong> How did you come up with the name Iswylm?OV:<\/strong> In a way, the name can be translated as \u201cIce World.\u201d Many of the names in Elda are derived from extinct languages. <\/p>\n\n

O:<\/strong> Why did you ultimately choose \u201cThe Nocturnes of Iswylm\u201d as the album title?OV:<\/strong> There were a few other ideas on the table, but none of them really felt interesting or exciting. Often, you can\u2019t force the right idea\u2014it has to come about naturally. \u201cNocturnes,\u201d or night songs, seemed to fit the album\u2019s themes very well. Furthermore, Iswylm is the place where the Dragon Queen slept for many ages and built her castle. The Nathaarians, too, live most fully in the icy wastelands of this island. <\/p>\n\n

O:<\/strong> The album gets off to a very powerful start with \u201cThe Taste of Immortal Blood.\u201d Is there a story behind this song? OV:<\/strong> That was the first song written for the album. Before that, we\u2019d already had a few ideas and songs, but they didn\u2019t feel like they would take the band in a new direction. When \u201cThe Taste of Immortal Blood\u201d finally took shape, it set the tone for the rest of the album. <\/p>\n\n

O:<\/strong> Is there a central theme or a common thread that runs through \u201cThe Nocturnes of Iswylm\u201d?OV:<\/strong> I\u2019d say that at its core, \u201cNocturnes\u201d explores humanity\u2019s relationship to consumption, sexuality, nature, and our own mortality. As the saying goes: In the end, it all comes down to \u201csex and death.\u201d We use the world of Elda to tell the story of a man\u2014the Seer\u2014who is trying to make amends for the mistakes of his past. By using the concept of vampirism as a metaphor, we can explore these ideas on a deeper level. <\/p>\n\n

Claudia Zinn-Zinnenburg<\/p>\n\n

We’ll continue our conversation shortly<\/p>\n\n

Lineup:<\/strong>Otheyn Vermithrax \u2013 vocals, guitar, keyboards, drumsApokteino \u2013 guitarNebula Husk \u2013 bassLord Dahthar \u2013 keyboards<\/p>\n\n

Listen to the album on Spotify:<\/p>\n\n

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