Alternative Press (12/01, p.80) - 8 out of 10 - "...This shows the best of what's possible [in black-metal] here and now..."
CMJ (10/15/01, p.27) - "...A progressive album....It moves like a death metal and rock'n'roll symphony, with moods of love, hate and anger represented by the leaps and dips of each meticulously arranged song..."
Kerrang (Magazine) (p.53) - "[Their] deftly interwoven melodies, bewildering speed and precision, and audacious prog-style flourishes sound like nothing on earth."
Emperor: Ihsahn (vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, programming); Samoth (guitar); Trym (drums).