SUMMONING · Stronghold (Re-Release) | CD

Jewelcase CD.

Background information about 'Stronghold (Re-Release)'

With Stronghold, Summoning delivered what many consider their magnum opus — a monolithic slab of epic black metal that feels less like an album and more like a journey through a forgotten, mist-shrouded realm. Released in 1999, this record saw the Austrian duo of Silenius and Protector perfect their signature blend of glacial synths, marching drum machines, and deeply resonant vocals that alternate between guttural rasps and clean, almost ceremonial chants.

The album's nine tracks unfold like chapters from a lost Tolkien manuscript — not literally, but in spirit. Tracks like "Long Lost To Where No Pathway Goes" and "The Glory Disappears" build on patient, hypnotic riff cycles that never feel rushed. The production is gloriously raw yet cavernous, with keyboards that sound like they're echoing through dwarf-forged halls. "Where Hope And Daylight Die" is a particular standout, its melancholic melody line cutting through the wall of sound like a ray of pale moonlight. This is not music for the impatient — it demands immersion, rewards devotion, and conjures landscapes that no other band has managed to replicate. Two decades later, Stronghold remains untouchable.

For fans of:
Caladan Brood, Emyn Muil, Eldamar, Sojourner, Gallowbraid

Track listing

1. Rhun
2. Long Lost To Where No Pathway Goes
3. The Glory Disappears
4. Like Some Snow-White Marble Eyes
5. Where Hope And Daylight Die
6. The Rotting Horse On The Deadly Ground
7. The Shadow Lies Frozen On The Hills
8. The Loud Music Of The Sky
9. A Distant Flame Before The Sun

Manufacturer: Napalm Records Handels GmbH, Hammerplatz 2, 8790 Eisenerz, Austria , Contact: napalmrecords.com