Metal Milestones: Emperor "Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk"

[@scottmetal6664]

Anthems > Eclipse. The Acclamation of Bonds, that's the shit. That middle section is so odd and other-worldly, feels like demons are being conjured. Best track on the album.

[@MrSals123]

There is a part in acclamation that sounds like for whom the bell tolls intro.

[@ScoutXdude]

I’m a simple man: I see “Metal Milestones,” I click.

[@REPHIA]

2 years ago Emperor played Anthems in its entirety on Brutal Assault festival, amazing experience. And Mayhem closed the festival playing the whole De Mysteriis!

[@benng4376]

My favorite Emperor album. Happy birthday you magnificent bastard.

[@asmrmetalman1061]

Man I’m so jealous you got to be around during the 90s experiencing all this stuff when it was new. I was born in 98 and didn’t get to enjoy this stuff till my later teens

[@kharma1815]

The first 43 seconds of the oath was the most beautiful thing i ever heard

[@theoogy8265]

This is also my go to Emperor album. Prometheus was actually one of my introductions to black metal, used to listen to it all the time.

[@dellayassine]

This is certainly a fantastic album. One of my favorite BM albums ever! Glad you got around to reviewing it! And I'm digging those glasses, they suit you every time you put them on 😎👍.

[@MrODigga]

2:27 Please don't ever apologize for anything your cat does. She is perfect and flawless.

[@Faze390]

INTE is unparalleled in it’s mystical and majestic atmosphere, but I think Anthems has stronger peaks and individual moments than INTE. Really every song has some curveball or standout moment that keeps me coming back for more. The clean-singing moment you mentioned in Thus Spake The Nightspirit is one I particularly love (I might even go as far as to call it my favorite Emperor song in general), the pseudo-breakdown part around 1:15 in Ensorcelled By Khaos might just be the most headbangable Emperor moment, and the electronic bleeps at the very end of Ye Entranceparium are just downright fun. I know “fun” might be an odd descriptor for a black metal album, but I genuinely do have a lot of fun listening to this one.

[@mayu9586]

Lol ghost cameraman 1:46 Edit: cat cameraman 2:27

[@Sirmeatwad]

Man you did a killer job with this. I don't think it's possible to give this album a better rundown in 10 minutes

[@DreamPurpleFloyd]

My favorite BM album. The songwriting is off the charts and yet they manage to keep just enough rawness. It's spectacular without being cheesy, it's intense and raw without being dumb, it's sophisticated without being pompous.

[@endlesspath3044]

One of my top choices for the best album ever made. Chaotic, creative, aggressive, melodic, and the song writing is off the charts here. Musicianship is top notch. I totally agree this album is unmatched to date. Also worth mentioning that Acclamation Of Bonds is one the most underrated songs ever. Absolutely filled with haunting melodies from start to finish. As a musician myself, this is the album I admire the most, and have since the release.

[@ErlandOlsson-p2l]

Also my all-time favorite black metal album. I think it is THE BEST black album ever!

[@mistdrinker6479]

I love Anthems but I do prefer Nightside just because Anthems steps over that line into cheesiness at least for me a little more than I'd like. Although back in 10th grade we had to bring a song into English class and break down the lyrics and I brought in Thus Spake the Nightspirit. I think it confused the rest of the class a bit lol.

[@ignaciosatanizado]

Definitely my favorite black metal album and “with strength I burn” is the best song imo

[@epiklightz4773]

when you have a tradition to listen to albums on the day of its release, and Myke releases a video about him *DOUBLE KILL*

[@-k-b-]

I love how the double kicks sound like The Garthim from Dark Crystal snapping their claws and ripping shit to pieces. The drumming alone on this album I think makes it their best album, I was seriously shocked at how good this album was. The guitar work especially on this album is so tasteful

[@yummypie32]

We need some metal milestones for Bathory now.

[@halyomorpha]

Myke, thanks. You inspired me to journey into black metal and it's been a great time. Emperor fucking rocks.

[@CarloAms]

I feel you man, this album means a lot to me too, know it by heart. I saw Emperor live in 2017 at Tilburg(NL) and they played full first half of Anthems, one of song after the other. It’s been amazing man

[@MoonMagicks]

Amazing video!

[@Zerovibritannia60]

I really love this album but I would have to say that I like Nightside more. I feel like Nightside is the perfect mix of black metal with symphonic elements. Whereas Anthems is a bit too symphonic for my tastes. I love Anthems though and The Loss and Curse of Reverence is easily my favorite song on the album. Yea I'm glad you review this album though Myke. Keep up the great videos!

[@fish5215]

ZeroYabuki Yeah it’s hard to beat Nightside. Anthems can get a little cheesy sometimes. Still fucking great.

[@epiklightz4773]

ZeroYabuki 😉

[@mykectown]

ZeroYabuki Yeah, I get that. It makes sense.

[@khepera7913]

Masterful is the perfect word to describe this album.

[@KleaverOfficial]

Brilliant call back to this album.

[@LATESSyeah]

Used to hate this album but i grew to love it. Awesome album.

[@crimson639]

Great video

[@insane_assailant1197]

This Album is 8th on Rob Halford's top 10 favorite metal albums

[@naitsirk6]

Opening riff on «ye entrancemperium» was written by Euronymous around 89...

[@AnCapDanny]

Also my favorite black metal album of all time. The Acclamation of Bonds has, by far, one of the most beautiful riffs in black metal.

[@olavrell]

First black metal album I bought. Second black metal album I ever heard. Bought it during the Autumn of 97.

[@Thecriticalplug]

This was my first time listening to this album and it took me for a hell of a ride I loved it!

[@Volos__]

Seeing them live playing this in Sydney, on their first every tour of Australia as Emperor - Ihshan having been here a few times - was fucking NUTS

[@joedenby2645]

As always I love it when you go over an old favorite. I love this album also, I think when push comes to shove Emperor are probably my favorite Black Metal band. They tick all the boxes for me and I find their albums age like wine, they reveal more every time I return to them. I actually enjoy Prometheus! haha! However it is really Ihahn's first solo album. Just like the last Celtic frost album is really the first Triptykon album. When you listen to Ihsahn's first album "The Adversary" and then Zyklon's first album "World ov Worms" you see why the split was necessary. Great show as always Myke! \m/

[@WanderingSoulsWebzine]

Fantastic album! Love your shirt also btw.

[@MrLando0]

I got an Emperor long sleeve for my wife at a vinyl fair recently. TBH though, Emperor's a band I never delved into, but I plan on checking them out. Hey Myke, I'm disappointed you never did a second QA video from awhile ago.

[@andysorgslott2934]

Nightside is my favourite Emperor album because it´s more atmospheric and raw but I love Anthems too! Anthems was one of the first black metal albums that I heard when I got into black metal in late 1990s. Cradle´s Dusk and Her Embrace was another... It sucks that Ihsahn doesn´t wear that armour live anymore...

[@broquestwarsneeder7617]

Good pick for favorite BM album, Myke, been revisiting BM lately so ofc I landed here lol. Emperors first albums are indeed gems. It has a respectful gothy-ness to it with awesome composition, not too much synth and fluff (not Dimmu Borgir lol). An underappreciated album I recently rediscovered, kind of ahead of its time, is Mayem - Ordo ad Chao 2008. Especially if you're also into slightly weirder song-structures. It almost reminds me of Sleep's Dopesmoker at times.

[@creativeperson5858]

Flawless album

[@ScoutXdude]

So much use of “epic,” you’d think it was a Candlemass album! (Jokes aside, lovely review. I’m sorta new to metal, so I never got around to listening to Emperor; I’ll def listen to it after I finish listening to Maudlin in the Well.)

[@ryandavis4936]

wish youd continue this series

[@mykectown]

I'm gonna get back to it. Just haven't had time lately.

[@ryandavis4936]

@@mykectown understandable

[@hilalabbas2648]

The keyboard parts are what gothic music is. My heart goes for prometheus but anthem is their best album.

[@darkhymnsfromthecoldnorth]

I actually paused your video to go watch the loss and curse of reverence haha. It had been a while. I've actually been told that you and i are some of the very few youtubers that prefer Anthems to the debut.

[@mykectown]

Then we're the few KZbinrs who know what the fuck is up!

[@that-matt-guy]

Add me to the list. Anthems is superior!

[@RetroVertigo_]

My favorite Emperor album is Anthems as well. Nightside is probably the better Black Metal album, but Anthems is the better Emperor album, if that makes sense. They came into their own on Anthems and sounded so much more comfortable and panoramic on there. Great review!

[@lucian8515]

It released same year like ulver's nattens madrigal 🤘

[@rupe82]

Mike, what's your opinion on Halmstad by Shining? I don't think I've ever heard you mention them.

[@that-matt-guy]

While Prometheus is the "worst" Emperor album, its still solid as fuck. I view it as more of an Ihsahn solo album, though. If you listen to it along those lines, I think its more enjoyable. I'm a big fan of IX Equilibrium as well. Anthems is king, though. Nightside is queen. Early stuff is the plotting creepy uncle that's going to kill you and usurp your crown.

[@azamy7413]

Myke, before your reviews I didn't even know that this kind of music is KNOWN in the USA...

[@zigotina]

DsO definitelly matched and surpassed them, you should give them another chance. It is definitely worth it

[@mykectown]

I've heard plenty of them to know I don't like them at all. I definitely don't think they've come close to what Emperor did.

[@rupe82]

Emperor and DSO are completely different. Emperor are melodic, DSO are all about dissonance.

[@zigotina]

@@rupe82 yeah but they create beautiful compositions out of dissonance and are very prog in that way similarly to emperor.

[@Matticuss77]

Yo, Mike. I actually like all of Emperor's albums(why hate on Prometheus?). Nightside is my favorite though. To me, it goes like this... 1. Nightside 2. Welkin 3. Prometheus 4. Equilibrium

[@halyomorpha]

I love all of them, albeit through first impressions as of now.

[@evasemmorflleh]

I think the main reason _In the Nightside Eclipse_ gets more praise than _Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk_ is probably just because _Nightside_ came out first. Quality-wise, both albums are roughly equal, and if the two of them swapped release dates, _Anthems_ would probably have gone down in history as the more influential album. However, because _Nightside_ came out first, it was like nothing the black metal world had really heard, and as you mentioned in the video, _Anthems_ felt like a logical step forward in the Emperor canon (or at least I'm assuming so, I wasn't alive for any of this)

[@mykectown]

I would totally agree with that.

[@superiormusic]

Man, throwing some serious shade at Prometheus ;)

[@JuggaloAndMick]

What's your thoughts on the new Mr Mouthafukin Exquire song?

[@RiverNihil]

Gotta say Mike, it's mine too

[@metalcoffie]

....you can hear the vocals?

[@dirtydan5146]

I got the orginal issue cd sitting in my room

[@Roodski]

I wish they’d re-record this album, my all time hang up with Nightside and Anthems. Learning the guitar parts from his music book, the production doesn’t do them justice at all

[@petitnicollas]

Hey Mike, what do you think of the claims that Emperor have ties to the NSBM?

[@N3ukenInD3K3uken]

*IT'S ALL TROO* RUN.TO.THE.HILLS NAZI'S.WILL.ONCE.AGAIN.RIDE.ON.DINOSAURS

[@N3ukenInD3K3uken]

@@petitnicollas You can look it up yourself and draw your own conclusions, any person here in this comment section won't have a deeper insight towards the political affiliations of Ihsahn and Samoth other than what they themselves read online.

[@mykectown]

@@petitnicollas Did they have ties when they were teenagers? Maybe. Do I care 20+ years later? Nope. Ihsahn has said, many times at this point, that he has no affiliation with NS. But, for the record, the Zyklon-B record clearly states that it had nothing to do with racial preference. It was all corny shock value that a lot of bands were doing back then.And Faust's murder had nothing to do with race. Any claims that Emperor still have ties to NSBM are just lazy internet warriors trying to find someone to expose cuz they're too weak and boring to actually fight the real enemy.

[@mykectown]

@@petitnicollas I see a lot of people talking shit about Fantano taking his review down and it's starting to irritate me. Fantano did the right thing for HIS CHANNEL. Sure, he didn't do the proper research to find out the background of Mikko Aspa but so what? Once he found out HE decided what HE wanted to support. And, to him, supporting Mikko Aspa (who is a garbage person) wasn't worth the views to him. How people don't respect that is beyond me. Whether or not Mikko is the main person behind the band doesn't matter. Support for the band is support for Mikko. Period. I'm flabbergasted that I see so many dorks attacking Fantano over this. Either they just want other people to make them feel better in their support of racists or they're too stupid to process how business moves for larger channels work. Or they just think everyone should not care about giving money to racists which is about as weak minded as you can possibly be. At any rate...I've been thinking about making a video on this but I just don't think I can stomach the idiot mouthbreather responses.

[@petitnicollas]

@@mykectown I think it would be an interesting video.

[@N3ukenInD3K3uken]

Didn't you already make something for *Anthem to the Welking at Dusk* ?

[@mykectown]

Nope. But I have now. Maybe you're thinking about a vinyl video?

[@michaelhudson2912]

Prometheus is way better than Equilibrium though. That one was just playing it safe too much.

[@MK-oz2lf]

Is Prometheus that bad?

[@fish5215]

mooncountry1017 Prometheus is incredible to me. I never saw the hate.

[@fish5215]

Crust Hell yes. The strings are used so well.

[@mykectown]

mooncountry1017 Do I think it's bad? I don't hate it. That ending in my video was kind of a joke. But, to me, it's easily their worst album. But nah, it's not bad.

[@DreamPurpleFloyd]

I definitely think Prometheus is better than Equilibrium, which is still a good album. You just have to take it as an Extreme Avant Garde album. Yes it's hard to get into but it has some truly unique ideas and sounds.

[@MK-oz2lf]

@@mykectown ah gotcha. I've only heard the first 2 albums.

[@dertodesking.]

Emperor is a weird one for me. I really like individual album tracks here and there, but overall this is not one of my favorite bands. I WANT to like them, because I appreciate their ideology and they seemed likable enough, but it just doesn't click. The demo and the split (and that ep from way back) are monstrous however! Love that shit. The albums are just not my thing. That said, Trym is a highly underrated drummer. He is a fucking beast! Night Of The Graveless Souls all the way.

[@colosalblack]

Not sure if you've done this already but could you make a top 10-20 BM list? Preferably non-NS. I don't like giving my money to nazis

[@halyomorpha]

It isn't my favorite but what is wrong with Prometheus lol

[@Bruno-Guitarist]

I have to admit that it was a bit of a letdown comapred to Eclipse. There were good songs on there, but it was a bit messy. Well. Taste is taste. I respect that some prefer Anthems. Its still Emperor!

[@MarshallWolfMiller]

For your next Out of My Element episode, I would love to see you review Kid Cudi’s Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven album.

[@Ghoulstille]

Eclipse is good, Anthems is better.