US black metal duo Stormruler have released Chapter I. The Sword, The Scepter & The Seal as the lead single and video from their upcoming third album, Morning Nautical Twilight. The release follows their standalone 2026 track Dark Age Of Deception, marking the band’s first full-length for Distortion Music Group.

Formed in St. Louis, Missouri by guitarist and vocalist Jason Asberry alongside drummer Jesse Schobel, the pair combine black metal with power metal leads, death metal, and folk instrumentation. The duo previously released two albums, Under The Burning Eclipse (2021) and Sacred Rites & Black Magick (2022), through Napalm Records before signing with Distortion Music Group.

The new track serves as a historical prologue set in the fictional year 1142 F.A., establishing the fantasy lore and narrative surrounding the land of Aurelia and the origins of the Imperial Scepter. The upcoming record continues the group’s focus on fantasy worldbuilding, combining aggressive extreme metal with melodic lead work and atmospheric elements.

Morning Nautical Twilight arrives on 4th December 2026 via Distortion Music Group.

Photo Credit: Juan Ibanez