Opening with synthesized symphonics heralding the end of days, the second full-length from Emperor demonstrated that the genre didn’t have to rely on cheap theatrics and ugliness – the musicians had ambitions and the skill required to bring their nightmares to life. “Thus Spake the Nightspirit” remains the truly astonishing highlight but the tremolo-picked thrashing can’t hide the complexity of these compositions.

– Jeff Treppel