One of black metal’s signature releases

Black metal comes in two forms: the grim, lo-fi, bestial chugging of bands who record in forests and release 666 hand-numbered cassettes of their albums; and this, which announces itself as "sophisticated black metal art". It sounds like braggadocio, and it is, and entirely deserved. 

Recorded in Grieghallen in Bergen the production is pin-sharp and you can hear everything clearly. Lyrics are usual levels of cringe but you don't listen to black metal for the lyrics. Vocals are nice - operatic at one moment, venomous screeching the next, always giving the right amount of spite and derision to proceedings. 

I love the instrumentation as well; dual guitar attack, incessant percussive pounding, bass jumping around pushing things along. Synths and keys washing through everything. 

Negatives are how incredibly cheesy it gets at some moments and the fact it's perhaps a bit short. But it is still a masterpiece.