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Album Review: Stormruler - Sacred Rites & Black Magick




I’m new to Stormruler, but these guys have come storming out of the St. Louis subterranean metal scene after their first full length album, ‘Under A Burning Eclipse’ in 2021.


Conjuring percussive blast beats, and black metal vocal stylings, it’s a great album and easy to see why they broke out of the St. Louis scene. In between each song there are interludes that roll like thunder into the next chaotic storm of metal. Striking like lightning, the scorching riffs and well placed and screaming solos really shine.


I really enjoy the quick, about 1 minute long, interludes between each track. They give a nice little palette cleanser before bombarding you with more black metal than you can shake a stick at. I don’t think it’s going to be long before they are mentioned in the same breath as the heavyweights of the genre like Immortal and Emperor.


For being only 2 people, their sound is huge and very well produced. The effort and care they put into their craft is evident judging by the intricacies of their songs. I would love to see what these guys can do live.


‘Entranced Within the Moon Presence’ is one of my favorite tracks on the album. The chaotic riffs all come together in a perfect storm of sonic delight. ‘Invocation of the Black Sacrament’ is one of the best with how it flows from ‘Entranced’ into the title track ‘Sacred Rights & Black Magick’.


I don’t think there is a bad track on this album. Each song is well thought out, and has great stories about war, sorcery, history, and black magick abound. Clocking in at almost an hour and fifteen minutes it’s a long listen, but so worth it.


Also, can we talk about the artwork? This cover is incredible and definitely evokes the mood of the album. The artwork was done by Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design. Check out more of his artwork, it’s fantastic.


Overall, a great black metal album that is definitely worth a listen, and band to keep an eye on. It hopefully won’t be long before they are storming the lands spreading their stories.




You can check out the music video for the title track "Sacred Rites & Black Magick" at the following link over on their Youtube page:




Follow Stormruler:


Stormruler is:

Jason Asberry - Vocals/Guitars/Bass

Jesse Schobel - Drums/Vocals


Giannis Nakos/Remedy Art Design: https://www.instagram.com/remedyartdesign/?hl=en


Tracklist for Sacred Rites & Black Magick below:


Album cover by Giannis Nakos/Remedy Art Design: https://www.instagram.com/remedyartdesign/?hl=en


1. Hymns Of The Slumbering Race

2. Internal Fulmination Of The Grand Deceivers

3. Adrift Dark Halls Of Vinheim

4. To Bear The Twin Faces Of The Dragon

5. In Light Of Paleblood

6. Entranced Within The Moon Presence

7. Invocation Of The Black Sacrament

8. Sacred Rites & Black Magick

9. 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


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