Artist: Emperor
Label: Candlelight Records
Release Date: 1997
Rating: 5 Skulls
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Title: Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk Artist: Emperor Label: Candlelight Records Release Date: 1997
Rating: 5 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Solomon:
In the minds of many, Emperor are (or were) metal heroes, if not the kings of 90's extreme music. Along with In The Nightside Eclipse, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk is hailed as a masterpiece, another landmark release from a legendary group, further establishing Emperor's claim to the throne of technical, atmospheric black metal "art." Taking the speed, dissonance and aggression of "raw" or "pure" black metal, Emperor furthered the genre by creating a complex, advanced stew of chaos and beauty. The music on Anthems is multi-layered, where warp-speed guitars and drums are entwined with "melodies" and emotive keyboard/synth parts. Anthems like much of Emperor's music, is not something that is easily absorbed. The compositions are so dense and violent you really have to pay attention to "get" it.As far as black metal goes, Anthems may be more melodic and accessible than the "true" folks would like, but this is far from "pretty." The songs have a certain beauty to them, but there is nothing to sing along to and there are no foot-stomping AC/DC-type beats to latch onto. On the one hand, this is like traditional classical music. There's so much going on your brain needs time to sort it out. It's also "vibe" music. The songs are created with the intent of producing an overall feeling or impression... mainly a really "evil" impression. Metal usually doesn't invoke images of pretty angels and "Come All Ye Faithful," but Anthems is truly travel music for a boat ride on the river Styx. The bombast of the guitars and drums are one thing, but the keyboards and "ahhh" effects make the music that much darker and creepier. "Ensorcelled By Khaos" (0:43, 1:53) and "The Acclamation of Bonds" (1:25) are good examples of how the mood is enhanced by the addition of keyboard shadings. Even if Anthems is a "black metal" release, it reminds you that the genre isn't all about being fast and crazy, like the Maidenesque guitar in the intro to "Acclamation of Bonds" and the plodding end of "Thus Spake the Nightspirit." The majestic march in "With Strength I Burn" (2:16) is a high point, and the plodding "The Wanderer" provides a thoughtful, melancholic finale. The Century Media release provides two bonus tracks (aside from the CD-Rom feature), the so-so instrumental "Opus a Satana" and the doomy "In Longing Spirit." Funny how even a modern metal opus like Anthems still draws from the past. "In Longing Spirit" has Ihsahn's whispering vocals trading dynamics with the band much like Ozzy did on the title track to Black Sabbath's immortal debut.
Anthems will top the all-time list of many a metal fiend for years to come, and it still stands as a major contributor to the evolution of modern black metal.
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