A Black Metal Masterpiece - The first twenty-five seconds of opening track Curse You All Men! clearly reveals IX Equilibrium s hand, with a deeply distorted drawn out death growl transitioning into a high pitched near falsetto cry that immediately erupts into an absurdly heavy blackened thrash guitar piece. Demonic laughter then echoes out, aimed squarely at all the shocked black metal traditionalists who can t believe that they are hearing an Emperor album with production good enough that all of the instruments can actually be heard. The lightning fast distorted guitar insanity continues throughout the song with background supporting keyboards producing a terrifying sound like the souls of the damned moaning out their agony, could they be heard by mortal ears. All vestiges of the low production necro sound that marred Emperor s past have been burned away, leaving an uncompromisingly aggressive and wholly evil sonic assault the likes of which black metal had never seen before. While keeping the same style throughout the album as the opening track, every song manages to set itself apart from the rest with its own distinct complex soundscape. The majority of the vocals are an intensely hostile hellish growl perfectly situated in the middle of the spectrum below the high pitched shrieks from Emperor s earliest work, Wrath of the Tyrant, but noticeably higher than the monotonous death style grunt utilized by many bands. IX Equilibrium marks Emperor s ascent towards a more progressive sound, and is the first time the band utilizes clean vocals in addition to growls and shouts, situated sparingly across the album and creating moments of unexpected contrast that entice IX Equilibrium s victims deeper into its unholy spell. The clean singing has a very operatic and epic quality, as though vocalist Ihshan is heralding the end of Emperor s previous sound and ushering in their new age of music. Lyrically the trend has continued from previous albums to focus on the darker aspects of the Old Ways, the acceptance of no God but oneself, and the hypocrisy of the newer monotheistic religions. All of these themes are combined much more seamlessly and eloquently than in the past without sacrificing any amount of passion or the bitingly cold fury that Emperor is famous for. Each song merges together a sense of the mysterious and mystical, a chilling absolute evil, and a primal call to raise one s sword and let out a battle cry. IX Equilibrium showcases why Emperor is considered one of the most important bands in the history of extreme metal by crafting a concerted harmony of overly complex and technical guitar work, fast and furious drumming that has come to be expected in the genre, and maintaining remarkable restraint with keyboards that illuminate and emphasize the rest of the music rather than overshadow it. Some may find the complexity of this album hard to digest fully in a single sitting, but as its sounds are probed and examined over time it will become very clear that IX Equilibrium rightfully deserves its reputation as a milestone album from a band that only knows how to grow.
Amazing. - I have no idea why people say this is Emperor s worst album. I have In the Nightside Eclipse and Athems to the Welkin at Dusk and Prometheus- and personally I think this is their best album. The production is so much better than in In the Nightside Eclipse and Anthems to Welkin at Dusk. The music is very full and majestic...as it is in other Emperor albums also...but it just goes to show their touch has not been lost. Just overall it is very beautiful with much clearer production and some improved vocals. I highly recommend this album.
??? - I have to be honest in saying that like other reviewers, I don t hear where the bad blood about this recording is coming from. I m a fan of both stages of Emperor. I loved the early stuff as well as the more symphonic Emperor. I think this is as great a recording as, Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk. A lot of people think that one was their best. If it were up to me, I d list all of their albums as the best. If you liked the Welkin CD, you will like this. Emperor seemed a bit more heavier on Anthems, but not so much that you will hear this and be bummed out at all. Hail the mighty Emperor!
Sadly Underrated - Most fans of the band say this is Emperor s worst album, but I don t hear it. While it s certainly not as good as their first two albums its still excellent. Curse You All Men is their best opener and one of their best tracks. An Elegy of Icaros, Nonus Equilibrium, The Source of Icon E and the epic closer Of Blindness and Subsequent Seers are all excellent tracks. The only weak track is The Warriors of Modern Death. Otherwise this album is great: great songs, great production, great musicianship. Highly recommended.
I think I love Ms. Vazquez... - Could ther be a guitar slinging woman out there who actually LOVES black metal??? Damn, I think I m in love.Oh yeah, and this album is a nuclear bomb. If you don t know about these guys who pioneered then perfected an overlooked genre of metal, well, go on then, see what it is you have been missing.If you enjoy it, try Immortal, early Satyricon, and the first( and only as far as I m concerned) album by Mayhem. Also Borknagar, and Vintersorg for mind expansion purposes.