St. Louis, MO black metal duo Stormruler broke out in 2021 with the avid subterranean support of their debut full-length, Under A Burning Eclipse – subsequently garnering scores of acclaim upon its wide re-release via Napalm Records. The album, which Decibel Magazine called, “one of the best black metal albums of the year”, introduced Stormruler’s beyond-their-years execution of raw, atmospheric black metal doused in extravagant lyricism.
On October 14, 2022, the band consisting of midwestern scene stalwarts Jason Asberry (vocals/guitars/bass) and Jesse Schobel (drums/vocals) return with the aptly-entitled Sacred Rites & Black Magick – this time blistering with more unrelenting intensity while maintaining a haunting, visceral aura more ancient and foreboding than ever. Produced, mixed and mastered by Gabe Usery at Encapsulated Studios and featuring stunning artwork by Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design, Sacred Rites & Black Magick weaves epic tales of war, history, black magick and sorcery beyond the standard confines of black metal, birthing an unforgettable conceptual journey of legend that any metal fan would be remiss to ignore.
Today, fans can get a first taste of the album with its sharp debut single, title track “Sacred Rites & Black Magick”. The track sets the supreme lyrical and musical mood of the album itself, depicting just how deftly Stormruler conjures lucid black metal as they inject energetic, unforgettable grooves and riffs into their scorching delivery. Today’s track release also arrives alongside its grim official music video.
Stormruler says about “Sacred Rites & Black Magick”: “We chose Sacred Rites as our first offering for many reasons. We feel as if from the strike of the very first chord it gives off an apparent energy that can be felt throughout the entire album. Lyrically it encompasses the feeling of this record rather well with lyrics ripe of black magick rituals and ancient orders.”
Watch the official video for “Sacred Rites & Black Magick” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti5euefQflg&ab_channel=NapalmRecords
As on Under A Burning Eclipse, between each song on Sacred Rites & Black Magick is an intricately positioned interlude building the ambiance and steering the thematic intensity of the album.
Beginning with echoing, clean dual acoustic guitars, introductory interlude “Hymns Of The Slumbering Race” begins the procession of grand ascension and hair raising riffage to come. “Internal Fulmination Of The Grand Deceivers” flashes Stormruler’s brand of Imperial Black Metal Warfare, shining with heavy bass and blastbeats before cascading into icy atmosphere topped by smoke-cloaked vocals. Entrancing guitars match an ebb and flow of carefully paced interludes and merciless, speeding fury, showcasing standout leads and a blazing solo. Similar epic songwriting, lush lyricism and skillful dynamics can be witnessed on tracks such as the brooding “Entranced Within The Moon Presence”, intricate “In The Shaded Vlasian Forest” and introspective, glistening “Along The Appian Way”. “To Bear The Twin Faces Of The Dragon” stages some of the most menacing sonic escapades and memorable leads of the 20-track offering, combining chants of sorcery with searing screams and waves of crushing melody, while tracks such as “Upon Frozen Shores” weave a sonic tale of occult doom atop triumphant soundscapes, breakneck rhythms and ghostly melodic passages. Closing battle opus “A Malice Dead & Cold” wraps the album with some of its most threatening riffs and heroic leads, fittingly drawing the curtain on the band’s sophomore excursion.
Stormruler says about Sacred Rites & Black Magick: “This album is on another level in comparison to our previous offering. It falls in the same vein of the melodic second wave black metal worship of Under The Burning Eclipse, but with a more intense and darker touch. It’s got the high speed buzzsaw attack we love, crushing grooves, solid leads, ambience within the interludes and acoustic passages, as well as lyrics that tell a story.”
Sacred Rites & Black Magick track listing: 01. Hymns Of The Slumbering Race 02. Internal Fulmination Of The Grand Deceivers 03. Adrift Dark Halls Of Vinheim 04. To Bear The Twin Faces Of The Dragon 05. In Light Of Paleblood 06. Entranced Within The Moon Presence 07. Invocation Of The Black Sacrament 08. Sacred Rites & Black Magick 09. Oathpact 10. Ten Heralds, Ten Desolations 11. The Waters Of Iolamita 12. In The Shaded Vlasian Forest 13. Amid A Smear Of Crimson Cloud 14. Apparitions Across The Ravencrest 15. Sanguinare Vampiris 16. Upon Frozen Shores 17. Shadow Of The Golden Eagle 18. Along The Appian Way 19. By Winters Long Passed 20. A Malice Dead & Cold
Sacred Rites & Black Magick is available for pre-order in the following formats: -4 page CD Digipak / -2LP Gatefold Black / -2LP Gatefold Marbled White/Black/Blue – Napalm Mailorder only, limited to 300 worldwide / -Digipak & Shirt Bundle – Napalm RoW Mailorder only / -Full Digital Album / [2LP Gatefold Marbled White/Black/Blue – Napalm Mailorder only, limited to 300 worldwide]
Stormruler is: Jason Asberry – Vocals, Guitars and Bass / Jesse Schobel – Drums & Vocals