Japanese edition. Largely written in a remote cabin deep in the Norwegian woods by Satyr in collaboration with his old friend Snorre Ruch (of Thorns; himself a legendary figure in the history of Norwegian extreme metal), it features eight of the heaviest songs in Satyricon's history. Then again this heaviness is not the raison d'etre for "The Age Of Nero", it is a necessity dictated by the inherent power of the songs. From the unstoppable urgency that marks 'Black Crow On A Tombstone' to the epic frenzy of 'Die By My Hand' and the bleak nihilism of 'Den Siste' - each title demands the utmost sonic intensity. They got it, thanks to the skilful song writing, execution and production. Most parts were recorded in Los Angeles in renowned places such as Sound City (where among many others Metallica and Slayer recorded drums), with Satyr acting as producer and Joe Baresi (Tool, Queens of the Stone Age) twisting the knobs. In a bold departure from their previous way of working, the guitars have been seriously down-tuned, adding to the raw power of the sound. Drummer Frost does an exceptional job in supplying a fundamental that seems almost casual in its measured aggression, but defines the rocking blackness of the album as much as Satyr's pronounced guitar work.