Got the promo yesterday - indeed like a reduced version of Emperor. The song structures are straighter, which doesn't mean this is catchy material. You hear it is heady music, not sprung organically from jamming with a band. Flawless execution, though, and I like Ihsahn's clear voice best - including his King-Diamondisms. Choir vocals are also neat, as are the string arrangements and that drummer whose name I can't remember at the moment