Emperor

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In the Nightside Eclipse is clearly their best work. Even every non-metalhead music lover should have that album for its totally groundbreaking ideas. Hard to believe the guys from Emperor were only about 17 or 18 while creating that masterpiece. Some killer tracks from that album are Into the Infinity of Thoughts, Towards the Pantheon and Inno a Satana.

Their second album Anthems is much worshipped but IMO a bit letdown compared to their debut. I've tried to learn to love that album, but after dozens of listenings I can say that the only songs I thoroughly enjoy are the two last songs With Strenght I Burn and The Wanderer. The rest of the album isn't bad but it lacks something that made their first album memorable. One reason is poor production.

Equilibrium was the first album I heard from them and back in then I gave it a spin, didn't like it and got rid of it. Maybe I'll give it a new shot someday.

Prometheus is very progressive album and it took some time for me to appreciate it but now I love it. Not an easy album to get into at all but surely worth getting. In the Wordless Chamber must be the most pompous metal song ever written.
 
Well, Prometheus got me into Emperor. A friend gave it to me to listen to, it was mighty tasty!
 
NoBigDeal, you like Nightside, but think Anthems has poor production? The latter certainly is not great, but the original ITNSE is atrocious.

The problem with Anthems as well as IX is that they are overblown, the narative shoved in your face (this also mars Prometheus).

I dont understand your statement, "In the Wordless Chamber must be the most pompous metal song ever written." It shifts from a very grave progression to a simple, raw "chorus" of low B with horn blasts- the song is all about effect, and does little to impress "technically/instrumentally". It strikes me as one of the least pompous of their later works.
 
Justin S. said:
NoBigDeal, you like Nightside, but think Anthems has poor production? The latter certainly is not great, but the original ITNSE is atrocious.

The problem with Anthems as well as IX is that they are overblown, the narative shoved in your face (this also mars Prometheus).

I dont understand your statement, "In the Wordless Chamber must be the most pompous metal song ever written." It shifts from a very grave progression to a simple, raw "chorus" of low B with horn blasts- the song is all about effect, and does little to impress "technically/instrumentally". It strikes me as one of the least pompous of their later works.

I personally have no problems with the production on ITNSE. Maybe it could be technically better but it suits with the music, it doesn't ruin it. The main problem with Anthems is that the keyboards are too dominating and it makes the whole sound messy. Keyboards on Nightside are constructed much better, their job is rather to create atmosphere than just add more noise.

Maybe "pompous" was a wrong word to describe the song ITWC. It seems that the word has somewhat negative meaning in english language. By saying pompous I meant that the song is "monumental", "epic", "huge" or "wagnerian". The song might have relatively simple structure but it carries a lot of emotion. When the blastbeats kick in after the calm break, you cannot but headbang.
 
I actually like the production of the remastered ITNSE as well, and understand your original statement. The keys on Anthems are very upfront, but I think its fitting considering the title!

My mistake for taking you so literally, your English is so good I didnt notice youre from Finland. I agree with you, Wordless is a powerful song.
 
On a huge Emperor kick right now, and personally Welkins is head and shoulders above the rest in my book.

Gives such a flawless visual of Vikings sailing across the north sea to plunder and conquer. Amazing stuff. And yeah.....With Strength I Burn is relentlessly powerful song.
 
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