Artist: Emperor
Label: Candlelight
Release Date: 1995
Rating: 3 Skulls
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Title: In the Nightside Eclipse Artist: Emperor Label: Candlelight Release Date: 1995
Rating: 3 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Solomon:
I'd have to consider listening to this record as my virgin descent into the world of black metal, unless you count more recent Borknagar and Katatonia, which really doesn't. Being relatively ignorant of the genre, I won't bother with any arguments about "real" versus "false" black metal, or any of that Inner/Outer Circle stuff. If the point of black metal is to be "black," i.e. "evil, dark, depressing," etc., then Emperor have certainly done their job. As I understand it, Emperor produce a more astute brand of blackened rock that is more "accessible" (if that's what you want to call it) than more primitive black metal like Mayhem or Marduk. Keyboards or not, Eclipse is a hard album to sit through. The formula here is dense: the fast tempos, swirling keyboards, and discordant guitar riffs make the tunes bleed together in a hypnotic slur. Of course, creating a chaotic atmosphere is the whole point, isn't it? As for me, the keyboards help make this record much more listenable than it otherwise would, the gushy interlude in "The Majesty of the Nightsky" being a primary example. "Beyond The Great Vast Forest" is probably my favorite, with its gothic keyboard progression and slower, doomy guitar line. The musicians here are very good, no doubt, but the lack of definition between the instruments can be kind of annoying. On the other hand, it's kind of a cool challenge to listen to this album and try to separate the parts in Emperor's black cauldron of sound. The lyrics and song titles can seem pompous at times, but I think they're appropriate for the subject matter. Emperor write very passionate, intelligent lyrics that avoid obvious verse/chorus repeats and remind one of a satanic Ecclesiastes or Psalms. Ihsahn's banshee "singing" takes some major patience (although I know he is a well-trained vocalist), but it fits the whirlwind musical "stew." Incidentally, the copy I have contains the Bathory and Mercyful Fate covers, which are the best tracks on the disc. Ihsahn does a fine King Diamond impression on "Gypsy." The intro to "A Fine Day To Die" features a great vocal performance reminiscent of Depeche Mode, and the killer solo by Samoth is scary enough to make Kerry King quake in his studded boots. I can't say Eclipse is something I'd kick back to after work with a beer in my hand, but I can appreciate the atmospheric quality and musicianship here.
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