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 re-tooled 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.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
