Emperor – Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk – Review

Emperor

Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (Century Media)
by Scott Hefflon

Trite opening lines like trumpeting “Emperor returns!” or anything regarding “The Emperor’s New Clothes” (all but one Emp back in face paint and leather, the drummer still in inmate fatigues – sounds like a demented twist on the Brady Bunch song) make Emperor seem like a joke, and man, if there’s one thing these Norwegians have proved, it’s that they’re serious. Perhaps a bit too serious if you consider they can’t really record or tour as long as one or more members are in jail for burning churches, murdering homosexuals, or whatever. But anyway, Emperor is a frightening band, to say the least. While many dark bands rampage all over the place, Emperor are downright chaotic. And yet they’re as tight as a God-fearing straight boy’s butthole. Blending a well-conceptualized melody vs. mayhem ratio, Emperor (along with Enslaved drummer Trym) are all highly skilled musicians as well as almost telepathic band members. The twists and turns each song takes as it snakes its way through ravaged, desolate landscapes is extremely impressive. Blending haunting keyboards with buzzsaw guitars and wild guitar fills in almost random places makes for an eerie, downright uncomfortable listening experience. The songs seem to follow no established pattern or formula, no building and contrasting, and yet the parts make sense together once they’re thrust upon you. Somewhat like Voivod’s been doing all these years, only, um, much different. This is Norwegian black metal at its deepest, darkest core. Many bands may be heavily influenced by Emperor, but none has yet matched the confusing emotional blur they call their music.