Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse

In The Nightshade Eclipse

A cold wet and dark Monday may be an ominous start to the week, but what more of a fitting way to embark on a journey to witness one of black metals finest - Norway's legendary Emperor - on their first appearance in Auckland - the winter's chill, a stillness in the air following a weekend of storms, all themes that would song titles from many of Emperors bleak back catalog.

Performing their groundbreaking, genre-defining sophomore album "In The Nightshade Eclipse" - Emperor were set to satiate long-time fans with a show many never thought they'd see live; blending raw scathing "true klvt lo-fi black metal" with ominously haunting synths, complex bass lines, time shifts, and for what I felt missing from black metal - riffs - it was an album that set them apart, foreshadowing the more progressive elements yet to be seen in "Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire & Demise" or the even more progressive post-Emperor Ihsahn solo material.

First up however are local black metal legends - Exordium Mors… With the recent departure of long-time frontman - Scourge Witchfucker, the band have opted to share vocal duties going forward - a challenging prospect given the technical nature of the music, but one that seemed to be pulled off effortlessly.