In 1993 the vision of the Greek Godless Fathers brought to life of black metal is not much different than what it is thought of today. They are already bringing the blast beats in moderation on 'Transform All Suffering Into Plagues". In fact, I think the album might warrant more admiration than you hear it getting in black metal circles today. But we will delve deeper into it. Early 90s metal still had a solid dose of the classic 80sa sound as can be heard in some of the more galloping thrash touches that give an almost "Seek and Destroy" sound to some of the riffs. However, it is catchy and holds up over the years.
"His Sleeping Majesty" has more of a death metal feel to its more deliberate use of power chords. Granted when they pour the speed on for "Exiled Archangels" the results are no different than when other bands. The key here is that bands had the songwriting smarts to follow the path laid out by bands like Juda Preist, which took you back to a catchier riff. The epic gallop "Dive the Deepest Abyss" is more effective than when they try this earlier form of blast beats. The vocals are way more central to the song than the black metal of today. "Coronation of the Serpent" works off a throbbing tension more like what they do today, but mixed with thrash sensibility.
Compared to their new stuff this is more blackened, but you can hear how the evolution makes sense. There is a tangible Mercyful Fate influence in the last song. There are fewer Satanic dramatics, but if you replaced the vocals with King Diamond it could have come from "Don't Break the Oath". Granted the same could be said of many of Emperor's songs as well. But it's a good thing. I will give this album a 9 as the maturation and more layered cinematic sound they have today is more effective, but this was a proper starting point and a damn good album that holds up over time.
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