Stalwart return with their commanding new single ‘The Master’

After a decade-spanning career and a four-year hiatus, Russian metal veterans Stalwart make a powerful comeback with their latest single ‘The Master’, pulled from their forthcoming album ‘Tempus Edax Rerum’. Formed in Saint Petersburg in 1999, the band has long been known for their brutal yet intricate sound, and ‘The Master’ is a testament to their ability to evolve while staying true to their roots.

With this new track, Stalwart reasserts their mastery of progressive metal, blending crushing riffs with atmospheric elements. ‘The Master’ kicks off with an unsettling, unaccompanied string section, playing an eerie and high-pitched piece that immediately sets a haunting and suspenseful tone. The strings, with their sharp and almost chilling quality, create a fragile tension that holds the listener in a moment of apprehension, as if something darker is looming on the horizon. This suspense, however, is short-lived, as the fragile calm is suddenly shattered by a towering wall of sound. The transition is abrupt yet electrifying, as the full force of metal takes over with a rolling, thunderous energy. The guitars crash in with unrelenting power, and the drums erupt into a powerful assault, enveloping the listener in a visceral, raw soundscape.

The force that follows is reminiscent of early Opeth, but it carries a distinct authenticity and originality that sets it apart. There’s a primal, unrefined edge to the music that feels untamed and brimming with emotional intensity, as if the band is channelling a deep, elemental energy. Amidst this onslaught of sound, the song breaks with an ethereal keyboard instrumental, a dreamlike reprieve, infusing the track with a haunting depth and a sense of otherworldliness. The keyboards add an almost spiritual layer to the aggressive arrangement, expanding the emotional and atmospheric range of the track.

But just as quickly as the calm arrives, it is swallowed once again by the relentless drumming that drives the song forward with an unyielding sense of urgency and power. The drums provide the backbone to the song’s intensity, pushing the music to its limits and enhancing the fierce, raw energy that defines it. 

This new single also taps into the themes of control and domination, as hinted by its title, while laying the groundwork for the upcoming full-length album. ‘Tempus Edax Rerum’ promises to delve deeper into the sonic complexities that Stalwart fans have come to love. Having shared the stage with heavyweights like Behemoth, Amon Amarth, and Vader, Stalwart’s resurgence is sure to rekindle excitement among their fanbase and beyond.

With ‘The Master’, Stalwart proves that they haven’t missed a beat, setting the stage for what promises to be a fierce and unrelenting return to form. The full album release will no doubt showcase their evolution and reaffirm their place in the upper echelons of the metal world.