Description

Digibook with 36 page booklet

To The Gates of Blasphemous Fire is less folky, faster-paced, and more aggressive than their previous release, Goat Horns. Some people describe it as Emperor’s re-known Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk done right, and I think this comparison holds water. There are a few differences between the two, though, which help to describe the band’s sound: The guitars here are kept more to the background than in Anthems. Subsequently, the drumming plays a larger role. The vocals are faster and more pronounced, giving the album a more aggressive sound than Anthems. The production is slightly poorer, giving the music a more uniform sound and forcing the listener to really focus to hear its finer points. (Personally, I think the level of production is exactly what the album’s overall atmosphere called for.) Like in Anthems, background violin playing is often put to good use. To The Gates of Blasphemous Fire is top-notch, fast-paced black metal with depth, complexity, and an epic quality to it.

Track list:
1. Bestial Summoning
2. To The Gates Of Blasphemous Fire
3. On The Moonlight Path
4. The Hands Of Chaos
5. Under The Banner Of The Horned Kniaz
6. The 13th Asbath Celebration
7. Cheremosh
8. The Forgotten Ages Of Victories