Metal Reviews

something about the production on the album pisses me off. i think the vocals are a little to high also.

edit: And yeah, when did Ihsahn start thinking he was King Diamond? ha.

Yeah, some things about this album bother me. Ihsahn's guitar and Mickelson's drums are not among those things.

Yikes. Those vocals are horrendous. This makes me sad.

No kidding. What the heck was he thinking!

Forever ago. I think he just forgot for awhile.

The vocals are a bit too high for me, especially considering the general dominance that the guitars and other things usually have over his vocals in any given project. But having only heard the samples previously, the video for Invocation sounded a lot better than I expected production-wise. Still high in the mix, but I didn't mind the vocals at all. And that riff with the blast beats, omgI<3that.

The same thing he thinks every album. Which, depending on who you ask, is either "how can I progress..." or "how can I sellout...". Choose your own adventure.

Emperor was the kind of band that lost fans every album (and I assume, gained some), so it's not suprising to see people getting their hate on for this one.

I still managed to like the album, and tracks like "Citizen" are excellent. The vocals just go too far.

I'm in a tricky situation concerning download quota, so can anyone tell me: is Ihsahn trying to sing in a Power Metal fashion on this album?

If not, I'll click. If so... I'll not.

no, click it.

More like trying to be King Diamond, but not as good as it was on the "Fine Day to Die" cover.

Wasn't that Gypsy? As A Fine Day to Die is the Bathory cover.

Well, does it resemble his vocals on Gypsy then? If so... I'll not click.

Woops. AT work so you know, away from the collection.

It does, it's just not as good. You obviously want to know, so click already.

The Button And The Download Done.

Listening to Invocation right now. The guitar tone is so fucking flat it's bothersome, it's like Arcturus' latest offering. Well recorded and all, but mixed so badly that it lacks any punch. The vocals are, well, okay, apart from the places where they are layered, creating a hilariously awful effect.

Is it just me, or is anyone else reminded of Garm on Blood Inside by Ihsahn's high clean vocals on this?

Garm > Ihsahn. At least when speaking of clean vox.

Ihshahns best vocal performance will always be on Radical Cut.

True. But his tone is similar, I think.

I wish both Garm and Ihsahn sung like they did a decade ago with the deep, operatic style. I hate this high-vocal nonsense.

Amen.