Largely written in a remote cabin in the Norwegian mountains by headman Satyr, The Age of Nero features eight of the most ashen, yet fascinating songs in Satyricon's critically acclaimed history. From the unstoppable urgency that drips from the roll out cut 'Black Crow On A Tombstone' to the epic frenzy of 'Die By My Hand' and through to the bleak nihilism of album closer 'Den Siste', The Age of Nero dispatches both rocking blackness and a chilling sonic intensity.

Recorded in Los Angeles' Sound City Studios (Metallica, Slayer) with Satyr acting as producer and �Evil" Joe Baresi (Tool, Saviours) twisting the knobs, The Age of Nero is a brazen tour de force. In a notable departure from the band's previous way of working, the guitars have been seriously downtuned, adding to the raw power of the record's sound. Drummer Frost's cyclonic percussion defines the austere atmosphere of the album as much as Satyr's pronounced guitar work.

When asked to comment on The Age of Nero, Satyr stated, "Everything that we do in Satyricon is built around the music itself. That means that our artwork and visuals are chosen or created to function well with the music � either to emphasize elements in the music or to contribute to a sense of totality. The layout for �The Age of Nero" is truly a fine piece of art; everything from the pictures chosen to the fonts and colors of the letters are carefully picked in order to feel right for this album and its general atmosphere. The album title has multiple references to subjects that on some level pertain to the album itself; �Nero' is a metaphor for darkness but also for destructive elements in mankind that threaten to bring down an empire. The �Age of Nero' refers to Satyricon as that famous piece of literature depicts scenes from Nero's Rome, but it also refers to our own time and the threat of downfall that is again mirrored in the apocalyptic feel of our music. It all neatly comes together."