Through the years we have come face to face with the legend that is EMPEROR, a band that has not only influenced generations of musicians of all ages, but has changed the scene entirely bringing with them the combination of keyboards and melodic guitar riffs. Seven years ago the world saw the band play a handful of one off shows as part of a reunion tour, since then the band went their separate ways, with Ihsahn focusing on his solo work, and Samoth focusing on both ZYKLON and the WRETCHED END. Last year it was announced that the band had returned as part of the twentieth anniversary of their vey first album In The Nightshade Eclipse, the following dates announced were festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Hellfest and Bloodstock Open Air as well as many others.

As we begin the album, we start with the track "Into The Infinity Of Thoughts". We start with a backing sound of what seems to be a creature of sorts, muttered at best but very eerie as well. Through this opening we start to now enter the fast vast nature of the track which brings you hurdling into a void of speed and relatively dark natures of every sense brought about. As the vocals kick in we hear the force and aggression of Ihsahn bring with him a dark and destructive nature to the tone in both his vocals and guitars. As we continue we start hearing the keyboards bring in this beautifully vibrant melodic embrace of nightmarish brutality. As the song continues we go deeper into the consciousness of what this track has only just started to do to us, giving the listener a curiosity in the sense that this track has brought me into a realm of war and black hearted intrigue as to what this creature that is the song has shown me.

As we venture on we come to the second track "The Burning Shadows Of Silence", a crack of thunder strikes the sky as we are thrown into the sound of chaotic power and rage. As the track begins its decent we hear a faint choir harmonizing in the back as if part of a ritual of complete darkness synchronized with incredible melodic intensity by both that of Ihsahn and Samoth. As the song continues we hear a strong nature of change with both guitars creating a dazed sound of hypnotizing quantity. As I continued to listen onwards I felt as if my entire mind was being pulled into my own consciousness as this track has what I would call he perfect sound and the most iconic riffs known to black metal, the sound feels as if it is competing with itself fighting to gain control of the entire song.

Along with this album you also have the second disk which holds alternate styled songs from the album. I felt that these were incredible alternate versions of some of my most favorite tracks from "In The Nightshade Eclipse" and I feel that many will be very interested to hear them as well.

To conclude I have loved this album since I was in High school and since then I have been able to discover some amazing bands along the way, but it all began with this one album and I have to say years on it is still one of my most cherished albums to date, for those who have never listened to EMPEROR, I would certainly suggest this album to any person, to finish off I just want to say what an honor it has been reviewing this album!