aahhh i wish i could read MEMORIES OF ICE for the first time again (assuming this is your first time?). iirc you first see the character of caladan brood in that one, so that's fitting. this isn't really a spoiler but there's a scene coming to mind right now where he meets kruppe and it is awesome.
but yeah, that elend album has just the right sense of mythical grandeur, tragedy, melancholy etc... the emotions of the pair just perfectly complement one another for me.
btw i actually think SUNWAR THE DEAD might have more of a metal vibe than any of the early stuff. it doesn't have the same density and replay value, but it brings the galloping RIFFS, kinda. WINDS DEVOURING MEN is more laid back but really lovely in its own way. i didn't get into the last one (assuming they don't have another by now) which seemed more harsh and dissonant from what i remember.