Black Metal History Month-Emperor's "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk"

 

I have cited Emperor as one of my favorite black metal bands in many a post, and in other listed this album as one of the best metal albums of all, since it is Black Metal History Month , that to dig back into their catalog as a refresher. I am going to review all of the band's album, starting with the one I feel sets the bar for the other's their second album. With Ihsahn and Sammoth at the core, and the drumming of Enslaved drummer Tyrm Torson propelling the album it is the perfect blend of black metal chaos and symphonic wonderment. The opening track sets the stage with a creepy atmosphere that reminds you what and influence King Diamond had on this band. The second song is the first actual song, and for the purpose of this review I am just going to discuss the original 8 songs and not those added in the later re-release of the album. 

"Ye Entracemperium" works of the swell of synth as much as it is driven by the flow of double bass. Ihsahn's scowling vocal croak, helps to set them apart from other bands who came from Norway at the time. The melodic undercurrent that defines their sound is something other band who followed in their footsteps could not get right. The clean singing is well balanced and tasteful. Never notice how much the vocal melodies sung hear echo folk metal, but considering where they sit in the mix it works really well. Things get both darker and more epic with "Thus Spake the Nightspirit" the synth line to the verses is one of the genre's most memorable. I often rail against black metal bands who resort to living off blast beats alone. "Ensorcelled By Khaos" employs them at a frantic pace for the first minute of the song, before the mood shifts and further sonic darkness unfolds. More black metal band's need to turn to this album for inspiration. 

Even when this album rages ahead with more emphasis on aggressive fury with songs like "the Loss and Curse of Reverence" the synths are still present to soften the blow and add a melodic contrast. "the Acclamation of Bonds" is another strong argument for memorable synth lines in black metal making the song more hooky. It takes a minute and a half for "With Strength I Burn" to settle in an find it's melodic legs, but the pay off if worth it. The album closes with the more subtle guitar work on "the Wanderer" I will give this classic a 10, and see how the other albums stack up