‘Citadel of the Stars’ by Theoden's Reign
‘Citadel of the Stars’ by Theoden's Reign
Tolkien black metal nerds rejoice! After their 2023 debut, Mitheithel, Heralder, the mastermind behind the medieval black metal project Theoden's Reign, returns with Citadel of the Stars, a sophomore album that cements Theoden's Reign as one of the most promising voices in the fantasy and atmospheric black metal scene. Citadel of the Stars establishes its medieval grandeur with "The Gates of Caras Galadhon," where shimmering synths cascade like starlight through Lothlórien's golden halls. Heralder's approach to atmosphere is both patient and deliberate. Instead of relying on crushing distortion or blazing speeds, the album draws its strength from steady marches and sweeping orchestrations. The steady, marching rhythms evoke a sense of epic journey, as if we are crossing the vast landscapes of Middle-earth alongside Tolkien's characters.
The title track "Citadel of the Stars (Osgiliath)" captures the bittersweet majesty of Gondor's former capital with striking nuance. Here, shimmering synth melodies dance above layers of tremolo-picked guitars, evoking both the city's ancient glory and its current state of beautiful ruin. Heralder's vocals, delivered in traditional black metal shrieks, cut through the atmospheric tapestry without overwhelming it, which I find highlights the album’s impressive production balance.
What sets Theoden's Reign apart from other Tolkien-inspired acts is the sophisticated use of medieval instrumentation. Lute-like arpeggios and flute passages blend smoothly throughout tracks like "Thranduil's Halls," the album's brief yet captivating instrumental interlude that captures the otherworldly elegance of the Woodland Realm. "As an Ashen River Flows..." features the most effective use of these elements, with flowing melodies that evoke the movement of water while maintaining the album's underlying darkness.
The album's darker moments prove also impressive. The standout song, "Beholding the Chamber of Mazarbul," transforms the horror of Balin's tomb into haunting Gothic beauty, with sinister synth work and more aggressive riffing that recalls the dread of Moria. "A Walk Among Embers Fallen" serves as a magnificent closing statement. Its extended runtime allows for a full exploration of grief, loss, and eventual transcendence with distinct movements to the song, starting somber and eventually elevating to awe.
Within the current atmospheric black metal scene, Citadel of the Stars occupies a unique position alongside contemporaries like Stormkeep and Weld & Woe. While those projects explore their own distinctive approaches to the medieval atmosphere, Theoden's Reign offers something increasingly rare: unabashed joy in the fantasy genre's capacity for wonder. In an underground often plagued by cynicism and misanthropy, Heralder has crafted an album that radiates genuine love for its source material and faith in music's power to transport and uplift.
Citadel of the Stars is essential listening for devotees of Véhémence, Caladan Brood, and atmospheric black metal in general, but it will particularly resonate with listeners seeking a break from the genre's more nihilistic tendencies. This is a black metal album that acts as a reminder that darkness and beauty can coexist, and that even in the shadow of Mount Doom, there remains hope for redemption and renewal.
