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"Prometheus draws a parallel between its own concept and the story of Emperor itself, with a dizzying intelligence and a timeliness that reflects the incredible care taken in its conception."
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5/5
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The year 2000 sees the mythical black metal emperor preparing for a long and inexorable agony. The aggravation of the artistic divergences between the two leaders-born that are Ihsahn and Samoth, as prolific and uncompromising one as the other, pushes Samoth to accompany Trym on his side-project Zyklon, oriented towards death metal, while Ihsahn accompanies his wife and his brother-in-law in the adventure Peccatum, which allows him to explore even more the more progressive and melodic sides of extreme metal. Finally, the band split from Candlelight Records. It is in this troubled context that "Prometheus" is born. Feeling the end coming, Ihsahn decides to see things in a big way, and composes entirely alone this 51 minutes concept-album, which he will produce himself and will have distributed by Nuclear Blast. Immediately announced as Emperor's last album, it will not even be accompanied by a tour, the band definitively splitting up as soon as the recording is finished.
Ihsahn, from now on the only master on board, throws himself wholeheartedly into a musical experiment that must be qualified as avant-gardist by default, as this album explodes with rage all the barriers existing between the genres. Giving free rein to the bestiality that has always inhabited him, he gives birth to an absolute monstrosity, hybrid, plenary and majestic. The track 'Empty' is a perfect example of the brilliant audacity of an unrestrained Ihsahn. Brave listeners who have the guts to venture seriously into the bowels of the Titan will be amply rewarded, if only emotionally, as "Prometheus" draws parallels between its own concept and the story of Emperor itself, with dizzying intelligence and a timeliness that reflects the incredible care taken in its conception. On the other hand, those in a hurry will certainly be put off by the bewildering aggressiveness of the chaotic tracks beyond any description.
The end of such an exemplary career, although inevitable, leaves a bitter taste after listening to such a monument. How, indeed, not to be irreparably saddened by the disappearance of an entity as iconic as Emperor. However, once the feeling of loss has dissipated, we find ourselves appreciating this conclusion because Emperor will never age and will remain forever this outstanding band. There remain 4 cult albums, and two live shows that are just as much. The last one, Live Inferno, will be recorded during the reformation tour organized in 2006, and during which Emperor made blow one last time the icy wind of Norway on the world, notably at the Wacken Open Air 2006, even recording a DVD of this phenomenal concert. The memories of a decade of progress and creation also remain... And the emotion of having been there to witness this now legendary epic. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. The Eruption - 06:28
02. Depraved - 06:32
03. Empty - 04:16
04. The Prophet - 05:41
05. The Tongue Of Fire - 07:10
06. In The Wordless Chamber - 05:12
07. Grey - 05:05
08. He Who Sought The Fire - 05:28
09. Thorns On My Grave - 05:55
LINEUP:
Ihsahn: Chant / Guitares / Basse / Claviers
Samoth: Guitares
Trym: Batterie / Percussions
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(0) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
3.5/5 (2 view(s))
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STAFF:
4.8/5 (4 view(s))
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT EMPEROR
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