Recorded in April 1985 to break in new drummer Reed St.
Mark, the Emperor's Return EP was an uncharacteristic holding pattern for quickly evolving avant-garde thrashers Celtic Frost.
Tracks like "Suicidal Winds" and "Circle of Tyrants" (later retooled for their next album To Mega Therion) are pretty damn good, mind you, but when it comes to Celtic Frost, anything less than groundbreaking is bound to disappoint somewhat.
[Noise Records' 1999 Celtic Frost reissues conveniently combined Emperor's Return with the band's seminal first album Morbid Tales.].