IX Equilibrium

I have been listening to extreme music since 1990, when I got my first taste of Death Metal via Cannibal Corpse and Obituary. I was in the late 80's into hair metal, but I really didn't know any better. Then I got into Metallica, and then Death. So, its been a search for ever more extreme stuff. Then I heard Emperor's "Anthems...", and I liked it, but the vocals are so buried, I strained to hear them and they were barely audible, so it was a bit of a letdown. Then came IX Equilibrium. Phew! I was absolutely blown away! The vocals are better in the mix, and the whole thing is that much more intense for it. I couldn't believe my ears as "Curse you all men!" deliciously punished them. And I just loved the variety of vocal timbres that Ishahn is able to employ - from a deep, clean baritone, to high-pitched falsetto, to the vilest black metal screaming, this man is both a guitar warrior and a vocalist to be reckoned with. The drumming is other-worldly, I'd love to see this band live (on video/dvd of course...). Sadly, they are no more. Oh well. Get this if you still haven't and feel the power of the mighty Emperor!

Emperor is one of my favorite bands, but this isn't their best album. This album is the least "Emperor sounding" of all their releases.It is progressive, technical, and has the best production, a far cry from the same Emperor that gave us "Wrath of the Tyrant".This is still a fantastic album, it's just not the in your face Black Metal sound that was on Emperor's first few albums. This music is more like Ihsahn's solo work, but less evolved.I strongly recommend this album, both to complete your Emperor collection and for the quality of the music on it.

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.

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!

I haven’t heard this version yet so I wouldn’t be able to say anything about it, but I must say I got it on time and in excellent conditions, it seems that every time I buy a vinyl online there is some sort of damage on the corners of the pack, at this point I take it as must on this kind of products , well this one was the exception and I’m glad for it.

I'll keep this short. I can't understand the mediocre reception of this album. No, it ain't staright black metal, but who cares! It's fast, loud, punishing, and in some spots hauntingly beautiful, their most unique sounding CD. What's so awful about that?

Double lp set on clear vinyl. Gorgeous gatefold, as are Anthems and Eclipse. I also have Prometheus on double grey vinyl. Hail!

Large sound stage keyboard work great guitar and drum work great, orginal and ground pounding loud. Vocals, dark and strong I enjoy Emperor, 11 tracks 54 minutes, if you like black metal, you can't go wrong on this one.

Wonderful wonderful Black Metal - superb musicianship, fantastic recording, a total 'beginning to end' listening experience. I'm still hoping that they'll give us special editions (like they did with the excellent special edition of 'Nightside Eclipse') of this cd, 'Prometheus' and, my favourite Emperor release, 'Anthems to the Welkin...' but, for the moment, buy this cd, turn up the volume, and immerse yourself in this sonic BM soundscape - Emperor ARE one of the most important groups within the BM scene and so this cd definitely needs to be in your collection and on your listening priorities list.

Masterpiece

This album changes the game a little bit for the already amazing Emperor. Their previous album, "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk", is a black metal masterpiece. This album is more commercialized, that is for sure. As heavy and fast as this album is, the heavy use of cleaner vocals almost change the genre of this album in particular, to a more softened black/death metal feel. Still an incredible album, but definitely not Emperor's best. 8/10, worth picking up for sure.

El disco con el que Emperor comenzó el cambio en su sonido a un metal más progresivo, personalmente lo disfruto micho. Esta reedición es Gatefold tipo mini LP de gran calidad, importado

HOLA: ESTE TRABAJO DE EMPEROR ES MUY MUY BUENO; DE HECHO, ES DIFICIL DECIR CUAL DE TODOS Y CADA UNO DE LOS TRABAJOS DE LA BANDA ES EL MEJOR; DE CUALQUIER MODO, LO RECOMIENDO; ( SIEMPRE Y CUANDO TE GUSTE EL TIPO DE MÚSICA EN CUESTIÓN)...GRACIAS.

En buen estado, en buen tiempo y un excelente álbum.

The song is not very good.

Parfait

Fast and as advertised.

イーサーン(vo,g,key)　サモス(g)　タリム(dr)ノルウェー出身ブラック・メタル・バンド。1999年3rd。激しさや邪悪さはそのままに、より荘厳さ・重厚さを増したアルバム。過去２作に比べ音質も劇的に向上。イーサーンもクリーン・ヴォーカルで歌うパートが増え、デス声パートといい対比を成している。イーサーンの美意識やメロディセンスと、サモスやタリムの攻撃性が絶妙に絡み合う。疾走ブラストパートでは快楽すら覚えるほど。初期のようなアンダーグラウンドな禍々しさは薄れつつある印象だが、それは作曲やプロダクションのセンスが向上しているということでもある。本作もまた、「皇帝」の名に恥じぬ強烈な一枚。

its ok , but cover is broken...it happens often