IMAGES AT TWILIGHT Kings

The idea of what was later to become Images At Twilight was born in the late nineties by founder Andre Aaslie, but it was not until 2010 he felt the software technology was good enough to create the symphonic and orchestral aspect he was seeking without having to use a real orchestra in the studio. Since then he has gathered band members from several renowned Norwegian extreme metal acts and created the material for the debut album entitled ‘Kings’. The music can easily be defined as symphonic black metal, but with the orchestral arrangements playing a much more dominant role in the soundscape than what’s the case for most other bands within this genre. Some parallels can be drawn to bands like Dimmu Borgir and even Bal Sagoth, mostly due to the orchestral arrangements, while the extreme metal side of the Images At Twilight is faster and more brutal than those mentioned bands – more in the vein of Emperor and their likes I guess. I’ve heard it referred to as “impressingly organized orchestral chaos”, and that actually sums it up quite well. All together this gives the album a certain old school feel but at the same time it sounds up to date and modern with its epic, soundtrack sounding anthems. On the lyrical side ‘Kings’ is loosely based on stories of the extra-terrestrials who inhabited the Earth and created the first civilizations before humankind was created. The five compositions point towards the wonders they created and tells the story of their reign until the creation of man by the hands of Kaizanbar. ‘Kings’ is definitely a very thoughtfully, and well composed product that should appeal to any fan of symphonic extreme metal. If you liked what Mr. Aaslie did with Gromth a few years ago, then everything from back then is simply taken a step further with Images At Twilight. Amazing stuff.  

Discography:

'Kings' 2015