Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk
Deceased may have their tongues firmly planted in their rotted cheeks (inFearless Undead Machines), but Emperor are serious as an aneurysm. The most powerful surviving force in the Scandinavian black metal community (the one whose members have actually been arrested for burning churches and committing murder), in 1997 the band released its strongest, most pernicious album yet. Unlike its previous record, which stormed through like a lo-fi tornado,Anthems to the Welkin at Duskis a multi-dimensional beast that drags the listener through varied metallic terrain, from speed-freak thrash to gothic doom. And even at its most aggressive, the record retains its meticulously layered structure. Evil awaits.--Jon Wiederhorn