Origin : Italy
Genre : Symphonic Black Metal
Release : 2008
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
**Stormlord – Far**
*Released: 2009 (EP) – 2012 (full release)*
*Genre: Power Metal / Epic Metal*
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### Sound and Atmosphere
From the opening bars, *Far* drops listeners into a high‑fantasy arena that feels both grand and intimate. The mix swings between stadium‑wide choruses and razor‑sharp, layered guitar work that pinpoints the fantasy imagination Stormlord is known for. The keyboards lift the arrangements into a cinematic space, often foreshadowing the doom‑laden choruses that follow. The overall tone is polished yet unmistakably raw—electric guitars with a crisp bite sit politely over thundering drums, never obscuring the narrative.
### Riffing and Composition
Stormlord’s signature melodic brutality is showcased throughout the EP. The riffs are a hybrid of classic power‑metal anthems and more aggressive, doom‑inspired licks, occasionally slipping into death‑metal solos. Think of the shredding sequence on “Sanctuary of the Hidden” that swings between fast alternating picking and syncopated chugging – a dizzying mix that keeps the ear on its toes. The breakdowns are solid but never oppressive, allowing the power ballads (like “Stormborn”) to breathe and multiply the EP’s ferocity.
#### Highlight Track Breakdown
– **“Sanctuary of the Hidden”**: Opens with a riff that becomes a rolling wave of tremolo picking. The transitions between the breakdowns maintain the motivation of the original riff.
– **“Stormborn”**: An arena‑ready chorus that is deceptively dense and atmospheric, anchored by a lead line that glides over a wall of sound.
– **“Aashmir”**: The mid‑track slow‑burn was pivotal, featuring a soaring guitar cry that sets the melancholy in its way.
### Production Quality
The production is hard‑wired for clarity. There’s little blur, and each instrument has its own space. The guitars are layered tenfold, each pick detail unmistakable. The drums offer a full, cleanscape—electric snare sharp, kick faithful. The vocal tracks are beautifully monosat aligned, providing a balance between the melodic and the harsh. The effect pad was executed so that it did not muddy the mix; the album sounds like a 5‑chest collection of voices stacked just cool enough to let the guitar’s roar be heard.
### Overall Impression
*Far* is a testament to Stormlord’s ability to meld cinematic fantasy with metal catharsis without compromising on either front. The EP perfectly balances grandeur and intensity, making for a track‑to‑track experience that feels like an epic saga. If you’re on the lookout for an album that feels more like a “soundtrack” to a quest than a standard metal release, this one ticks the box. In short, *Far* is a visceral, well‑crafted journey that fans of the power‑metal sub‑genre will appreciate both for its meticulously crafted riffs and the powerful atmospherics that set the stage for every – and every – other track.
