Imperatus are a Vietnamese black metal band and this is their debut album.
Imperatus play second wave black metal that’s spiced up with thrash and death metal flavouring. The promo blurb states that this is for fans of Marduk, Immortal, Nordjevel, and Dark Funeral, which sets the scene nicely for what At the Mercy of the Wind has to offer.
Running to a tight 32 minutes, we’re treated to eight songs of furious blackened aggression, (plus superfluous intro). At the Mercy of the Wind has a very old-school feel to it, which is to be expected as it’s rooted in the second wave. More than this though, it’s the death and thrash metal elements, (particularly the latter), that lend this an even older feel, as if Imperatus have dragged themselves from the most ancient of crypts to assault the living.
The riffs are sharp, the atmospheres threatening, and the vocals biting. The music is brutal and harsh, yet carries with it a classic sense of songwriting smarts that are satisfyingly rendered. The songs are short and explosive, delivering serrated blackened aggression that cuts through flesh with ease. The occasional use of symphonics or bursts of melody add majestic highlights or violent colour, but mostly this is an all out attack. There are also guest death metal growls, (from the singer of Rêvasseur), on Embers of Hatred, that stand out in stark contrast to the main singer’s raging screams.
Filled with snarling confidence and feral menace, At the Mercy of the Wind is a very enjoyable record. Brimming with an energy that’s authentic and honest, the music of Imperatus is infectious; the band’s passionate execution of old-school black metal is simply moreish.
Very highly recommended for adherents of Swedish black metal in particular.
Wonderbox Metal 