EMPEROR — In the Nightside Eclipse (review)

EMPEROR — In the Nightside Eclipse album cover Album · 1994 · Symphonic Black Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
SilentScream213
While Master’s Hammer actually take the accolade for the first Symphonic Black Metal album, few would disagree that Emperor’s debut improved on and perfected the genre. In the Nightside Eclipse may have singlehandedly launched the boom of Sympho Black albums in the late nineties, and became the template for the genre’s sound. It’s still regarded as widely the greatest Sympho Black album out there. But does it live up to its reputation?

The answer is a resounding yes. Emperor’s debut is a masterpiece of songwriting and dark, cold, but epic atmosphere. Each song is a beautifully crafted piece lush with choirs and strings, yet still heavily focused on classic Black Metal instrumentation. The symphonic aspect is not overbearing or overblow – not that I mind those styles – but it very much serves as a core backbone of atmosphere to the cold Black Metal riffing. Each song is not only dense with nocturnal soundscapes, but there’s a ton going on within the primary band as well. The instrumentation is of very high technique compared to most Black Metal, and the songs are full of varying passages, with fast parts, slow parts, pummeling aggression and more calculated melody.

One of those albums without any glaring flaws. Aside from the pointless into, every song is of equal quality, each has something special about them. No dull moments. Easily lives up to its reputation. Another one of those bands that aced a new style of music on their first try.
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siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
That would make sense if this wasn't a metal album but it's about as metal as it gets! OK, whatever. Just was curious :)
SilentScream213 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Hey Silly Puppy, the reason is because on a site of only Metal music, my ratings are much stricter. On a site like RYM where I'm comparing this against all music, I give this an easy 4.5 stars. However, it'd be pointless to just give every album on a metal site 4 stars and higher, so I strongly mitigate the ratings to show more discrepancy between albums I truly love.
siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Everything you state says you love this album. Why only 3.5 stars?

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