It seems there is no dedicated thread to Emperor so let's get one going. One of the first BM albums I picked up in the 90s was a promo copy of In the Nightside Eclipse for a pound in Freakout, if anyone remembers that little place. In retrospect it was one of the more fucked up and dark albums in my collection at the time and it still stands up alongside any of the other classics of Norwegian BM. It sounded unique with its combination of ultra violent yet catchy riffing, sweeping keyboards, shrill vocals and occasional explosions of ultra noisy samples. The production is nasty as Hell but the drums sound monstrous in that Grieghallen kind of way. Add some iconic artwork and brilliantly pretentious waffly lyrics for good measure. Total winner!
Today I ordered the half speed master vinyl, which will be my third purchase of this savage album having picked up the CD remaster some years ago as well.
Can anyone explain what half speed master actually means or does for the sound? I simply want it on vinyl but really have no clue if that provides an actual sonic improvement or is a cool new gimmick?
First experience of Emperor was hearing In the Nightside Eclipse on the Metal Show back in the day, I think it occupied top spot on the Soundcellar Top 10 for a number of weeks. It wasn't the kind of metal I was listening to at the time, so I didn't really appreciate it, but I remember being struck at how evil and other worldly it sounded. Obviously those were more innocent times but it's rare I can look back on any form of music and think, yeah, that freaked me out a bit. It's by far my favourite Emperor album now, but I can appreciate all their stuff, even the more technical later material which lost a bit of the atmosphere.
Oh absolutely. That innocence is gone. First of all it was the innocence of youth, so when we were hearing this absurdly dark and creepy music being made by who we assumed were adults, it threw us off kilter. It seemed genuinely dangerous.
I wonder nowadays with the internet is it possible for youngsters to experience that? There is literally zero mystery left. It's a shame.
Even trying to make sense of the band photos was near impossible back then. The whole thing was murky and, as you said, otherworldly.
Half speed mastering:
"That difference is that the master lacquer is made with the signal source and cutting lathe both running at — wait for it — half-speed. So 16.65 rpm instead of 33.3 and, as an example, 15 IPS instead of 30 IPS when using tape.
The claimed advantage of this process is that, by cutting at half-speed, the cutter head can engrave the lacquer with greater accuracy since it's moving more slowly.
Ideally, greater accuracy translates to greater fidelity."
This is I guess a simplified description, but if you're interested there's loads of the technical ins and outs online. Apparently it works well when cutting high frequencies in general, as it can process them much easier when reading at half speed.
Ok, so it's how the thing is made rather than how it's played. I was thinking initially that it might be a 2 LP edition with the songs spread over more vinyl space but it's a single LP which confused me. Cheers.
I suppose if it's a 45RPM album then it will sound more high fidelity than a 33. I definitely notice a big difference in the few 45 albums I have. But yeah I'd say you're safe in assuming it's gonna sound daycent, either way.
...in fact I may have just answered my own question, usually a 45 will come as a double LP to fit the music. So I'd say this just their way of improving a 33 without the need for double vinyl.
Yup, sounds likely.
What the fuck are ye on aboot?
Love Anthems for the Welkin at Dusk. Great band.
IX Equilibrium was the first Emperor I bought at about 14 and while I liked it, it wasn't what I was looking for which incidentally turned out to be Nightside. I got the loan of that off a mate when I was 16 and remember exactly where I was on the street when Into the Infinity.. kicked on the discman. Bliss, and everything I wanted and hoped for from black metal based on the albums I had heard prior to that. I like all the albums to differing degrees but most notably went back to Prometheus in the last 6 months, which is a masterpiece.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on January 07, 2021, 05:46:40 PM
I wonder nowadays with the internet is it possible for youngsters to experience that? There is literally zero mystery left. It's a shame.
Sadly, I doubt it. I can remember hearing that album every week, and then I think Metal Hammer or Raw maybe carrying an interview of Ihsahn with one or two silhouetted photos of him. The whole thing was just shrouded in mystery. It just can't be done now. I'm not a luddite or anything, and I appreciate time moves on, but everything now is instantly accessible.
Quote from: Don Gately on January 07, 2021, 06:46:09 PM
What the fuck are ye on aboot?
Love Anthems for the Welkin at Dusk. Great band.
What the fuck are you on about what the fuck are we on about?
Quote from: open face surgery on January 07, 2021, 06:53:57 PM
IX Equilibrium was the first Emperor I bought at about 14 and while I liked it, it wasn't what I was looking for which incidentally turned out to be Nightside. I got the loan of that off a mate when I was 16 and remember exactly where I was on the street when Into the Infinity.. kicked on the discman. Bliss, and everything I wanted and hoped for from black metal based on the albums I had heard prior to that. I like all the albums to differing degrees but most notably went back to Prometheus in the last 6 months, which is a masterpiece.
I liked a couple of songs of IX, but the whole album was a slog. Not into Anthems at all. The clinical production kills it for me but maybe I'll pick it up at some point and see if I can crack it. I don't think I've heard a note off Prometheus.
I've loved this band for so long now. I remember picking up in the nightside and being in awe of it. It's not a stretch to say that without Emperor or early Cradle of Filth I may not have ever taken an interest in black metal.
If you're not into Anthems, I can't see you getting much out of Prometheus.
That's what I'm thinking. I prefer the dense, fuzzy, atmospheric stuff.
Prometheus is underrated by even hardcore Emperor fans. I love all of their stuff including that one. Not sure how long I would have kept going if they went further down that path though.
I like all their stuff,but the run from Anthems to Prometheus is where its at for me.
Prometheus is class. Nightside on Metal Show, taped by a guy a couple of years above me in secondary school, was my first brief encounter also. It was years then before I heard them properly and that was Anthems, followed not so long after by Prometheus when it was a new release. I remember a mate of ours being constantly in stitches at Thorns on my Grave, saying it literally sounded like the CD was skipping.
Remember buying a double disc best off compilation, second disc was lots of covers and b-sides. Anyway, the three or four tunes from Nightside were the ones Id always skip to most and play on repeat, until I heard the album in full. I think Anthems is prob as good -- some would say better -- in the songwriting department, but agreed with Eoin McLove that the production isn't something I'm mad gone on. The orchestral keys were really brought out front and center. But sure look, I'm sure that's a case of "wouldn't change it for the world" for many people too.
In the nightside is on my top 5 all time favourite Black Metal albums. I seem to be a good but younger than you all but when I was listening to nothing but BM this got rinsed so much. The production, the riffs, the drumming the vocals all combine to make one hell of an onslaught. I was gutted when they toured the album a few years ago and I never got to see them.
I love Anthems too but it pales compared to In The Nightside.
I'm actually listening to the 2020 remaster now on Spotify and it sounds great!
I'd prob take Prometheus over Anthems at this point. The former is proggy and incredibly produced whereas Anthems just never ranked as highly with me as it seems to with others. Always preferred Faust's drumming but really Nightside may as well be a different band given how higher in estimation it stands to either of them.
Ihsahn was only around 17-18 during the writing and recording of Nightside. That's fuckin mental. Serious musical chops from everyone on it.
https://youtu.be/mXtu0GRZnpo
Was anybody here at this? Looks and sounds absolutely blistering.
Still remember the first time I heard I Am The Black Wizards. The atmosphere....
Loved the mystery and mystique of those bands back then.
Quote from: Blackout on January 07, 2021, 07:26:41 PM
In the nightside is on my top 5 all time favourite Black Metal albums. I seem to be a good but younger than you all but when I was listening to nothing but BM this got rinsed so much. The production, the riffs, the drumming the vocals all combine to make one hell of an onslaught. I was gutted when they toured the album a few years ago and I never got to see them.
I love Anthems too but it pales compared to In The Nightside.
I saw them at Hellfest 2014. They were absolutely class....
https://youtu.be/9BTcOmYgkxQ
Quote from: Nazgûl on January 07, 2021, 07:44:20 PM
https://youtu.be/mXtu0GRZnpo
Was anybody here at this? Looks and sounds absolutely blistering.
Ya, I went specifically to see them. Savage.
Dave Vincent was just back with Morbid Angel as well which ended up being the highlight. Carnivore, Celtic Frost, Atheist were also class.
.....
Quote from: open face surgery on January 07, 2021, 08:08:05 PM
Quote from: Nazgûl on January 07, 2021, 07:44:20 PM
https://youtu.be/mXtu0GRZnpo
Was anybody here at this? Looks and sounds absolutely blistering.
Ya, I went specifically to see them. Savage.
Dave Vincent was just back with Morbid Angel as well which ended up being the highlight. Carnivore, Celtic Frost, Atheist were also class.
Class man. Would love to see Emperor around those days when they still sounded that good. I'm sure they still are but the 2019 footage they're definitely showing their age a bit more, understandably so.
Saw Celtic Frost myself when they reunited for the Monotheist album. Absolutely fucking deadly they were.
I bought all the Half-Speed LPs and they sound great.
Nightside was the first I heard back in 95. It was the first Black Metal album I ever heard and it was the reason I didn't get into a lot of other black metal. Not because I didn't like it, quite the opposite. The other bands just didn't stack up for me at the time. I'm still not a huge fan of BM but I'm into a lot more than I used to be. Emperor are still the masters! Ishaan is gifted, no doubt.
I saw them in London 2006 at the Astoria (main venue) not the LA2. Sold out, amazing sound and atmosphere! One of the best gigs I've seen. 2006 was a great year for gigs. Dissections last gig in Stockholm in June, just a month or two before Jon topped himself. Morbid Angel in London with Vincent, Trey, Rutan and Pete.
Anyone going to beyond the gates this year (covid permitting)?
I bought a two-day ticket for Friday and Saturday.
Mercyful Fate and Candlemass on Friday.
Emperor, Enslaved and Mayhem on Saturday.
All bands are playing their classic 90s material.
Quote from: open face surgery on January 07, 2021, 08:08:05 PM
Quote from: Nazgûl on January 07, 2021, 07:44:20 PM
https://youtu.be/mXtu0GRZnpo
Was anybody here at this? Looks and sounds absolutely blistering.
Ya, I went specifically to see them. Savage.
Dave Vincent was just back with Morbid Angel as well which ended up being the highlight. Carnivore, Celtic Frost, Atheist were also class.
That was some weekend. Glad I got to see and remember Carnivore, Celtic Frost and Morbid Angel.
It’s a truly phenomenal album from true masters of the style of music. Sometimes when I listen to I almost feel like I’m suffocating as there is so much being squeezed into every space in the songs.
I also love equilibrium for the sheer pomp and then that live album imperial ceremony. When he says “ I’m gonna let trym introduce this one” . Chaos .
Quote from: hellfire on January 07, 2021, 08:26:17 PM
Quote from: open face surgery on January 07, 2021, 08:08:05 PM
Quote from: Nazgûl on January 07, 2021, 07:44:20 PM
https://youtu.be/mXtu0GRZnpo
Was anybody here at this? Looks and sounds absolutely blistering.
Ya, I went specifically to see them. Savage.
Dave Vincent was just back with Morbid Angel as well which ended up being the highlight. Carnivore, Celtic Frost, Atheist were also class.
That was some weekend. Glad I got to see and remember Carnivore, Celtic Frost and Morbid Angel.
A wreck of a weekend. Missed the first flight over on the Thurs or Fri so off to a great start and nearly missed the next one as well. Haha.
Went to Eindhoven in 19 to see them as well. Played all of Anthems with Black Wizards, Inno a Satana and maybe one more which was also great to see.
:abbath:
(https://img.discogs.com/1zb7DUcdLoNuNm9mQDroAJ6o-yM=/fit-in/596x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1352735-1425754670-6877.jpeg.jpg)
Alongside the first two albums, just giving a nod to one of the coolest album covers ever.
Yeah, not having seen Emperor live is definitely one of my biggest metal regrets, but I was just never able to make it happen, often because of Euro festival season happening at exactly the same time as university exam season year after year after fucking year.
The split with Enslaved is excellent also, my first Emperor cd and cd player at the time.
I like all their stuff, Nightside would probably be my favourite.
The live inferno gig is well worth a listen also if people havent heard it.
As some have mentioned I heard that on the metal show also and got the cd and shirt in sound cellar,happy days.
Quote from: Nazgûl on January 07, 2021, 09:05:07 PM
(https://img.discogs.com/1zb7DUcdLoNuNm9mQDroAJ6o-yM=/fit-in/596x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1352735-1425754670-6877.jpeg.jpg)
Alongside the first two albums, just giving a nod to one of the coolest album covers ever.
Yeah, savage image.
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on January 07, 2021, 09:14:18 PM
Yeah, not having seen Emperor live is definitely one of my biggest metal regrets, but I was just never able to make it happen, often because of Euro festival season happening at exactly the same time as university exam season year after year after fucking year.
I've also never seen them.
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on January 07, 2021, 09:15:25 PM
The live inferno gig is well worth a listen also if people havent heard it.
I had the good fortune of being at it. The most immense gig of my life.
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on January 07, 2021, 09:14:18 PM
Yeah, not having seen Emperor live is definitely one of my biggest metal regrets, but I was just never able to make it happen, often because of Euro festival season happening at exactly the same time as university exam season year after year after fucking year.
I was supposed to see Emperor do a Nightside anniversary set at a Czech fest whose name escapes me at the moment but the night before while getting ready to go my Mrs discovered her passport was out of date so that was the end of that dream haha. Angelcorpse were playing also so it would have been two off my list. Ended up going to London as it was the only place we could travel to without passports and I got to see Dag Nasty (who I never thought I would ever see) and Leftover Crack who are always a good laugh, so not a complete waste.
Quote from: hellfire on January 07, 2021, 10:13:50 PM
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on January 07, 2021, 09:15:25 PM
The live inferno gig is well worth a listen also if people havent heard it.
I had the good fortune of being at it. The most immense gig of my life.
Nice !
The Emperial live ceremony in London looked like a great gig also but didnt have as much nightside tracks.
That show really highlights the best 3 tracks off IX Equilibrium.
One of the best openings to a track ever.
https://youtu.be/6wawEA4g4Kw
First heard Emperor on the John Kenny Metal Show back in the late 90s, I remember hearing the track Curse You All Men and thinking it was absolutely amazing. That was probably their weakest album but that could be their finest standalone song.
I have a vague memory of piecing together Nightside from Kazaa because on the rare occasion I found the album in a shop it was ridiculously expensive to buy.
Finally saw them live at Brutal Assault 2019 - they played all of Athenms and half of Nightside so was very happy. That was all of my big 3 of classic black metal seen live - Emperor, Dissection, Mayhem.
Curse You All Men is a Hell of a song.
Yeah fuckin class tune!.
Cracker alright. Can't get much better than the first three off Nightside.
I've never given Prometheus much time and I'm probably fool for not doing so. Whipped Emperor on there for the spin home after reading this thread :)
Plenty of fellas out there seemed to have over looked Prometheus .
I fired it on the other night and could see why it's popular. The first song was charming but overall it's just not what I'm after. I prefer the rawer buzz with BM in general, or perhaps more accurately, the naiive buzz of a lot of these bands' earlier work. Fair fucks to them for following their own creative paths but I prefer the fanatical, imperfect energy of the early stuff. At least, I am at the moment.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on January 14, 2021, 06:07:23 PM
I prefer the fanatical, imperfect energy of the early stuff. At least, I am at the moment.
Spot on. Hence why that era of BM will always be the greatest. Same with thrash only in the 80s.
Got to see them play Nightside in full on the main stage at Hellfest 2014 unreal but I enjoyed them even more the following year playing Athenms in full in one of the smaller indoor tents at Hellfest where they finished with black wizards and inno a satana the sound was unreal, one of the best sets I've ever seen......
Quote from: Hick on January 14, 2021, 08:06:36 PM
Got to see them play Nightside in full on the main stage at Hellfest 2014 unreal but I enjoyed them even more the following year playing Athenms in full in one of the smaller indoor tents at Hellfest where they finished with black wizards and inno a satana the sound was unreal, one of the best sets I've ever seen......
Lucky bastard. The videos looked great but I can't get on board with them playing daytime.
Quote from: Blackout on January 14, 2021, 10:12:56 PM
Quote from: Hick on January 14, 2021, 08:06:36 PM
Got to see them play Nightside in full on the main stage at Hellfest 2014 unreal but I enjoyed them even more the following year playing Athenms in full in one of the smaller indoor tents at Hellfest where they finished with black wizards and inno a satana the sound was unreal, one of the best sets I've ever seen......
Lucky bastard. The videos looked great but I can't get on board with them playing daytime.
Trust me, they were great. A belly full of beer definitely helped though.