STORMKEEP - The Black Dragons of Iswylm
Taken from the album “The Nocturnes Of Iswylm”
Order / stream here: https://tr.ee/3VCra1LAaQ
STORMKEEP UNVEIL BREATHTAKING MUSIC VIDEO FOR "THE BLACK DRAGONS OF ISWYLM" — NEW ALBUM THE NOCTURNES OF ISWYLM OUT JUNE 12
Denver, CO / Berlin — June 10, 2026 — Today, Denver-based symphonic black metal quartet STORMKEEP premiere the music video for "The Black Dragons Of Iswylm," the centerpiece single from their highly anticipated sophomore album The Nocturnes Of Iswylm, out this Friday, June 12 via Vesperian.
A Visual Statement Unlike Anything STORMKEEP Have Done Before
The video marks a watershed moment for the band — not just sonically, but as a visual entity. Directed by Michael Ragen, the award-winning filmmaker and cinematographer behind one of heavy music's most celebrated recent visual achievements — the stunning 20-minute short film The Stargate for Blood Incantation, for which Ragen served as director, cinematographer, and editor — and known for his work on Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities: The Viewing — the clip for "The Black Dragons Of Iswylm" is nothing short of breathtaking.
Where STORMKEEP have long been recognized for the grandeur of their music, a compelling visual counterpart has been largely absent from their body of work — until now. Ragen brings to the project the same cinematic ambition and meticulous craft that made his collaboration with Blood Incantation a landmark in metal filmmaking: an approach defined by mind-bending imagery, immersive storytelling, and a commitment to creating cohesive, visually distinct worlds. The result is a video that does not merely accompany the music — it gives the world of Iswylm a face, a texture, and a pulse.
Crucially, the band members themselves appear in the video — stepping into the frame as the mythological figures they have always been within the world of Elda. Each member, through their own moniker, becomes a protagonist in the unfolding story of the Seer, integrating the human behind the music into the legend itself. It is a rare kind of artistic commitment: the creators and their creation made inseparable.
This is STORMKEEP stepping fully into the light as a visual force.
The album is available on vinyl in multiple limited variants, including exclusive Europe and North America editions. Get your copy of the album from your local record store, your mailorder company or from the Vesperian webstore/Bandcamp store.
STORMKEEP are:
Otheyn Vermithrax — vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums
Apokteino — guitar
Nebula Husk — bass
Lord Dahthar — keyboards
CREDITS:
A Ghost Whale Film
Music by Stormkeep
Label - Vesperian
Directed by Michael Ragen
Produced by Mindy Kelly
Starring
STORMKEEP -
Otheyn Vermithrax
Lord Dahthar
Apokteino
Nebula Husk
Emily O’Dette as The Dragon Queen and The Corrupted Nun
Sam Tan as The Seer
Petras Vaznelis as The Guardian of the Broken Chapel
Jeff Barrett as The High Priest
Tim Espiritu as The Wounded Soldier
Knights and Soldiers -
Sean Rhee
Sky Shim
Kyle Potter
Mindy Kelly - Corrupted Nun Double
Concept by Michael Ragen & James Carpenter
Based on storylines and characters created by Otheyn Vermithrax
Cinematographer - Michael Ragen
Stunt Coordinator and Fight Choreographer - Kyle Potter
Dragon Queen Casting - Nimzo Casting
Props - Rachel Pitler-Hsiung, Dragon Dronet, Petras Vaznelis
LA Unit
Dragon Queen Stylist and Armorer - Rachel Pitler-Hsiung
Scalemaille Bra - @itisknown
Dragon Queen Makeup - Carley Cooper
Dragon Queen Hair - Charlene Lefever
First AC - Cary Gallagher
Baby Dragon Creature by Michael Ragen
Baby Dragon Puppeteer - Carley Cooper
Miniatures - James Carpenter, Mindy Kelly, Michael Ragen
Sigil Designs and Hand Casts - James Carpenter
Set Builds - Mindy Kelly, Michael Ragen
Colorado Unit
First AC and Director Assistant - Alex Pace
Key Grip - Petras Vaznelis
Grip - Mike Sandene
Production Assistant - Emilia Sandene
Set Medic - Erin Kelly Sandene
Post Production
Edit/VFX/Animation - Michael Ragen
Color - Belal Hibri
Special Thanks
Erin Kelly Sandene
Mike Sandene
Emilia Sandene
Lana and Leif
Benjamin Carter Grimes
Reynolds Advanced Materials
DeRouche Foam
Studio Booboo
Filmed in California and Colorado.
No GenAI was used in the making of this film.
#Stormkeep #TheNocturnesOfIswylm #Vesperian