Emperor - IX Equilibrium

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#FOR FANS OF: Symph Black

What a kick ass release! So much intensity and variety. I valued this album greatly. The music is what's the most captivating! I enjoyed the whole thing. I don't know why this got some poor ratings because it's so catchy and noteworthy. These guys know how to tear it up musically. I realize the symphonic black metal genre it falls under and me disliking synthesizers doesn't make me like this album any less than it is. I think the keys went well alongside the guitars. The guitars are where the intensity lies. And the variation in the vocals make the album even more likable. It totally kicks ass the whole way through.

Songs are in variation with tempos, but most of them has that sort of variety in themselves. These guys never seem to disappoint. I like the guitars on pretty much all of the songs. I think the songwriting is way good. That's what makes the music most likable to me. The vocals are good as well. Everything seems to fit in just right. I like the atmosphere here, too. It makes the music sound more eerie and dark. But always the guitars, they kick ass the most. A long sought after release that I didn't take notice of until somewhat recently. The release was from long ago but still deserves praise.

I like the production quality and mixing. It seems as though everything was woven together rightly. It's everything to like in a black metal album. These guys have been kicking ass for years, I hope that they have a new album on it's way since they're still active! I'd love to hear some good new material. The only thing that is in a sour note is the lead guitar. I couldn't really stomach it I thought the main rhythms were fantastic though. If they cut out the lead I would've rated this higher. But since this is an older album, the guitars should've been just rhythm. They kind of make the sound to the rhythms more muddled.

I liked this album the whole way through. I enjoyed the bulk of the compositions. I think I'm right in saying that the leads put a damper on the music. If it were solely the rhythms, the music would sound more intense and killer. The tempo changes were there making it more diverse and well thought after. I really think this is an underrated album. But I can't change that. My opinion is to check out this album on digital first then make your choice as if you would want a physical copy of the LP. Get to hearing it! (Death8699)

(Candlelight Records - 1999)
Score: 80

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Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin At Dusk

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#FOR FANS OF: Symph Black

Good intro to the album with a clean, but dark track. It segues into the brilliant and blisteringly hyper-fast next 7 tracks. It is diverse, however, but all over the place in tempos. The one thing they could've taken off are some of the synthesizer contributions. Though this is their genre so of course of the music needs some variations. They're quite prevalent in diversity, insane riffing galore. And the vocals alongside the riffs make it even more brutal. This was their concept though back then just immersion in the black metal community. I like a lot of what they've come up with here so no complaints in that respect!

I would have to say that the earlier recordings gave more raw essence to the sounds of the music. It's like Dimmu Borgrir's 'Stormblast' which is wholly raw or early Darkthrone. Some people dig that kind of sound, I think it worked with Kriegsmaschine's 'Altered State of Divinity'. But rarely (to me) where there actual album that sound doggone awesome raw. I think once Emperor got more established, their recording quality got better and more polished. As this holds true with any black metal bands (with exceptions, of course). I did enjoy the guitar riffs on this LP, it was quite original and brutal riffing just mind-blowing.

Production quality as I stated was raw and the atmosphere was evil as hell. I don't think that they wanted anything other than that. Except for the intro of course. They really have had it in store to the listener. Just raw symphonic black metal all the way through. It was quite entertaining hearing this one. That is, to then follow-up to 'IX Equilibrium'. But this is a great predecessor just the riffs and sound quality are a step-up on that one than this one. But as I say, they're just establishing their sound and experimenting with riffs and overall music. They really got a hold of evil and stayed with it till the end of the album.

I went ahead and bought this album, but it's only for people who value extreme music especially black metal. I used to be apposed to a lot of black metal because it's depressing but it actually gives me a boost hearing something like this. I like the energy and extreme sounds that they dish out. I would have to say this is one of Emperor's better albums though still active maybe they'll surprise us in 2021 and come out with something new. I'm sure the sound quality will be much better than the old but the intensity willl probably still be there. I'm also sure that more bands were influenced by this one than select few others. Hear this one! (Death8699)

(Candlelight Records - 1997)
Score: 84

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