As the Shadows Rise

No, “As the Shadows Rise” is certainly not as perfect as Emperor’s magnificent debut. Moreover, it gives me a strange feeling that it features a song which does not reach the two minutes border. Finally, the tracks do not pick up the pretty turbulent approach of “In the Nightside Eclipse”. Instead, at least “The Ancient Queen” could have been taken from an album like “Stormblåst”. But that’s no wonder, because all tracks were already originally released in 1992. Thus, one cannot count on a logical continuation of the legendary debut. Not to mention the fact that one could never expect more of the same during the career of Emperor.

Anyhow, “The Ancient Queen” is atmospherically dense with hovering Gehenna-like keyboards (“First Spell” times) and easily accessible. It’s a good and coherent song, but it also lives from the fact that it was released in the very early days of Norwegian black metal. Behind the smoke of burned down stave churches, there was this magical spirit that brought black metal on the next level. A doubtlessly inspiring time, even though I do not agree with the criminal acts of some protagonists. “Witches Sabbath” is closer to the material of “At the Nightside Eclipse”, more twisty and a bit challenging.

One cannot say that the sound fulfils high expectations, but it conveys the mysterious feeling of something evil coming nearer. I regret that “Lord of the Storms” comes quickly to its end, because it is the rawest track here and equipped with a drilling riff. No doubt, Emperor did not set new standards in terms of apocalyptic noise and they were not yet the virtuosos they soon became. Back in 1992, individualism was not their highest aim and this is exactly what I like here. Before you vary a style, you have to establish it. Surely, “As the Shadows Rise” was not the biggest contribution in terms of defining the second wave of black metal, but today it is a good document that brings the listener back to the wildest times of Norwegian metal. It’s a pity that they are already 20 years ago.

Hammerheart Records did some very good reissues lately, but this one is probably my favourite, even though it's only an EP, but what a cult EP it is! All in all, it's "As the Shadows Rise" from Emperor, which originally was putted out on a 7" vinyl by Nocturnal Art Productions in 1994. In 2014 HHR unleashed it on a 12", with all songs placed on side A and side B with Emperor logo etched on it. Additionally, it contains a CD housed in cardboard sleeve with the same EP. And the whole set was limited to 666 copies. How nice is that, right? I am glad that I got a copy for myself, because it sold out pretty fast and the prices on Discogs tripled since then. But I guess that's normal for the Discogs vultures. Who cares for them?

Three songs on "As the Shadows Rise" as exactly in the same vein as the fantastic "Emperor" MLP, which for me is the best thing, which Emperor has ever recorded. On this EP they went for three songs from "Wrath of the Tyrant" demo and re-recorded them in much better versions, with better production and arrangements. I love what they have done with them. Maybe some of these songs aren’t as good as those from "Emperor" or “In the Nightside Eclipse”, but it's still just a fantastic recording. I love how Emperor sounded at that time and how within that black metal harshness they managed to create a truly dark, mesmerizing and majestic atmosphere. These songs are still quite primitive, if you would compare them to "In the Nightside Eclipse" for instance, but that's never been a factor, which would determine whether black metal is good or not. Certainly though these songs sound better and are better performed when compared to their demo versions. Emperor added some keyboards here and there, so there's nice improvement from “Wrath of the Tyrant” and they really do make a difference in creating the majestic, obscure atmosphere. You can notice that especially in “The Ancient Queen”, which is a fantastic song, in my opinion. "Witches Sabbath" is also a brilliant song, very atmospheric, very dark, but with that cold, vicious grim black metal feel. Only "Lord of the Storms" is bit of a weaker and also different, but it’s fairly solid nonetheless.

All in all, we have here a killer EP and absolutely smashing reissue. Good job Hammerheart and very recommended piece of black wax for all collections.

Verdict: 95/100

As the Shadows Rise is Emperor’s second EP and shows major improvements over its predecessor. While most of the dimensions of this brief recording are the same as its processor, there are a few major and significant upgrades. It seems that Emperor finally got the bucks to purchase a professional keyboard, which dramatically improves the band's sound. The synths are a major personality throughout the recording, creating intense backdrops and dreamy counter melodies. The production is also superior. All the instruments have a bigger and fuller sound than they did on the self-titled EP.

As the Shadows Rise is a rerecording of three tracks from the Wrath of the Tyrant demo. All three tracks sound significantly better. “The Ancient Queen” sounds glorious with the synths providing all sorts of wicked and regal tones. “Witches Sabbath” sacrifices the sheer viciousness of the original recording, but compensates by producing a dynamic and layered composition that slowly builds tension as it ascends toward its maniacal conclusion. “The Lord of the Storms” is a short track that combines Ihsahn’s blackened screams with deep guttural vocals (which are certainly modified). While it’s not the most impressive song, the strange vocal performance at least provides a novel experience.

As the Shadows Rise is a worthwhile EP from Emperor. There are two really solid songs on here and though "The Lord of the Storms" a little odd, it is at least entertaining. This is far from an essential recording, but it is a chance to see some nice early Emperor compositions get the makeover they deserve.

(Originally written for http://deinos-logos.blogspot.com/)

Similar to the self-titled Emperor EP from the year prior, As the Shadows Rise loses a bit of its luster when you consider that there is no new or truly exclusive content present. Instead, these are three tracks re-recorded from the Wrath of the Tyrant demo in 1992, and provide a run-time of only 10-11 minutes. The vocals are a little less primordial and frightening, but clearer, and the songs are cast in a more epic and symphonic light than their original incarnations (in particular "The Ancient Queen" and "Witches Sabbath"), but all are of course present on the Emperor/Wrath of the Tyrant compilation put out in 1998, and the True Kings of Norway split (2000) which also featured early EP recordings from mostly esteemed countrymen Immortal, Ancient, Arcturus and Dimmu Borgir.

However, once again you've got something that in its original format is sure to be a collector's item. I'd also like to say that this doesn't carry the same burden as the Emperor EP of having two songs that sound so much better on a later recording (In the Nightside Eclipse). Really, these are the most polished versions we'll likely ever hear of this trio. "The Ancient Queen" is quite good, a steady march of mid-paced atmospheric black dowsed in Ihsahn snarls and blazing, elegant keyboards. That riff at about 1:00 into the song is one of the most evil and memorable sequences of notes that these Norwegians have ever written, and I think this is the best of the three songs here with ease. "Lord of the Storms" is much shorter, savage punk-fueled chords which sound solid over the drums, but the vicious vocals steal some of the show away from the music, and this also goes for "Witches Sabbath", though this has stronger, slower riffs and a few swerves into the heavily atmospheric, eerie keening vocals that balance it off very well.

Even if it does seem more skimpy than the Emperor EP, I'd definitely say that this was the more impressive of the two. No, the songs are not as good as "I Am the Black Wizards" or the content of In the Nightside Eclipse, but it's not a bad thing that the band would try to escalate a few of their old standbys to that same level of sweltering atmosphere and aggression. I favor "The Ancient Queen" and "Witches Sabbath" far over "Lord of the Storms", so the consistency is a little uneven, but I think that in general it's worth hearing for Emperor fans if they can check it out via the True Kings of Norway or whatever means available to them. Hell, I think I enjoy "The Ancient Queen" more than some of the songs on Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com