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 blast beats 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. ‘Sacred Rites & Black Magick’ Track List: 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 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 |