In the Nightside Eclipse :
1.Into the Infinity of thoughts (9min 06)
2.The Burning Shadows of Silence (5min 35)
3.Cosmic Keys to my Creations & Times (6min 06)
4.Beyond the Great Vast Forest (6min)
5.Towards the Pantheon (5min 58)
6.The Majesty of the Nightsky (4min 53)
7.I Am the Black Wizards (6min)
8.Inno a Satana (4min 48)
9.A Fine Day to Die (8min 28)
10.Gypsy (2min 55)

Total time : 59min 49

'In the Nightside Eclipse' is the first full length album made by the norwegian cult band Emperor. This album is essential for every black metal fan's collection : it is one of the darkest albums ever made, very morbid, satanic, symphonic, majestic but with some very brutal moments. The cover art itself is a piece of art (done by the mighty Necrolord, who also drawn the cover art of Dark Funeral's 'The Secrets of the Black Arts', Dissection 'Storm of the Light's Bane / The Somberlain', Marduk 'Heaven Shall Burn...') and it represents the music perfectly. The booklet is filled with beautiful photos of norwegian nocturnal landscapes.

Emperor's music is somewhat complex, more technical than most of BM bands. The keyboards are much better than on the demos and they add the majestic touch to the music. The vocals are very shouted and it is barely possible to understand them. The drumming is just perfect for the music.

The lyrics are very special and they are written in long sentences, like little stories. They are about night, darkness and black magic... they are very mysterious and original. The production could be better because the bass is hard to hear, but it is the only negative point about it.

Conclusion :
As I said before, everyone should have this album, it is really one of the greatest albums ever made. I got the new version of the album, remixed (or something) and with two bonus tracks, 'A fine day to die' by Bathory and 'Gypsy' by King Diamond... 'A fine day to die' is not so bad, but I really hate 'Gypsy'... I don't really understand why they are on this album (I never liked KD or Mercyful Fate, it always sounded gay to my hears). Anyway, you must get 'In the Nightside Eclipse' : MUCH better than the following albums, whose have nothing to do with black metal...

Rating/5 : 5

© 1999 cythrawl