Metal Reviews

Fair enough, it is an album I've battled with others over for years, I understand and expect some people to not like it nearly as much as me. I do think the synths are a little overdone, but the guitar tone and phrasings still sound so fresh, Trym's drums were never better, and the unique, always thoughtful song structures differentiate this from any album you would want to compare it to. I remember being excited when it was released because Ihsahn was turning into a guitar hero (even if he only soloed on Tongue of Fire/Eruption), but at its core there is still a lot of blastbeats and tremelo. I think what people found, and still find difficult, is the combination of layered instrumentation plus the nearly impenetrable songwriting. 'Depraved' is a good example of this: I disliked it until listen 6 or 7 when I noticed there was a hook in the form of a very catchy repeated riff/lead/blastbeat section towards the end of it, which made the rest of the track suddenly fall into place.

It was initially hard to hold onto anything from the individual tracks (save Grave or The Worldless Chamber) but I don't think it wasn't Ihsahn being pointlessly complex: the memorable riffs are definitely there, just a bit buried within the layers. Plus the songs feel very, very different from each other: 'The Prophet' sounds like technical grunge before turning into black metal Rotting Christ, "The Tongue of Fire"/"The Eruption" definitely have black metal Dream Theater vibes, 'Worldless Chamber' is a hybrid of Dimmu and Amon Amarth at their best, "Empty" is Emperor covering modern Abigor, and "Thorns on My Grave" wisely closed Emperor's career by sounding like 2001 Emperor doing a Nightside song.

Anyway, I just realized that since this album has to be in my top 25, that means Ihsahn gets Nightside, and since they are basically tied, After in the top 25 as well. So 3/25, not bad for Mr. Tveitan.

P.S.: Just read Emperor's first concert was with Enslaved (who had been playing for a few months at the time), I think that ticket would have been a good value.

In fairness, I remember Empty (their only music video, irrc?) being an important gateway into extreme metal. The synths, the catchy riffing, the heavy and complex but accessible writing... can't remember much else from the album, which is clearly a sign I need to hear it again! On my playlist.

Yes you do!

Like that Khors album? I would call it pretty good but not great on first listen.

Good but not great sums it up.

Have Prometheus on while out and about - thinking you might be right about it! Does make me want to register to Anthems though, as that always surprises me with how good it is...

I feel the same way about 9 Equilibrium actually: once one drops the baggage about these albums not being Nightside and not being entirely black metal albums I think it becomes much easier to appreciate just how good the riffs are. Zyklon had fantastic riffs too but Samoth lacks Ihsahn's melodic sensibilities. Anthems is the one I struggle with most because it is stuck in between the two periods and it also has extremely odd production. That said, some of the songs are of course fantastic (With Strength and Loss and Curse certainly, also the way Alvsatr bleeds into Entrancemperium).

Liking the Aspera Heims Symfonia album above this post too.
Feeling very pro-Norway in the eternal debate with Sweden at the moment.

Kamelot - Haven

I love Edguy!

Avernus - Sadness EP

Been listening to a lot of Emperor the past couple days.

Well I was listening to my neighbour's prog rock band jamming on some classic Rush tunes (kind of broke my cd player) now it's the sound of wind, rain, and thunder.

Iced Earth - Something Wicked This Way Comes

Before:



This live performance was almost flawless. However, it could have used more bass vocals to accompany the older songs like Mother North. Excellent, excellent performance by all. Very impressive.

Now:



Trying describe this album after so much praise and worship is like trying describe the awe and wonder after seeing the Colosseum or The Sistene Chapal. All one can do is stand and listen in wonder without any words to accompany it.

I call LGOTS their worst album overall, not that it doesn't have some good tracks of course.

And good to hear you've been on the Emperor train as well Husker. I think all of their full-lengths have aged very well because of how Ihsahn wrote the songs in varied patterns.

Aye. The following 34% album is far more interesting.