Emperor (Norwegian band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Ihsahn, Samoth |
| Defunct | 2001 (hiatus periods: 2005–2007, 2013–2014, reassembled 2016) |
| Headquarters | Norway |
| Products | Black metal music |
| Website | www |
Emperor is a black metal ensemble from Norway, established in 1991 by guitarist and vocalist Ihsahn alongside guitarist Samoth. The band ceased activities in 2001 but regrouped intermittently during 2005–2007, 2013–2014, and reassembled once more in 2016.
The band is recognized as a major influence within the black metal scene by critics and members of the extreme metal community alike.
History
Ihsahn and Samoth first connected at a blues/rock workshop and initially collaborated under several different band names before creating Thou Shalt Suffer. Samoth began composing material outside that group, and together with Ihsahn and bassist Mortiis, they formed Emperor. Their demo Wrath of the Tyrant gained considerable underground attention, resulting in a deal with Candlelight Records. Samoth moved to rhythm guitar duties, Ihsahn took on lead guitar and vocals, and Faust joined as the drummer. Emperor's debut EP, Emperor, was released through Candlelight before they signed with the pioneering black metal label Deathlike Silence Productions, although no releases emerged from this partnership.
In 1992, several figures from the Norwegian black metal scene, including Samoth, were implicated in a series of church arsons. Faust was later convicted for a murder in 1992 that was unrelated to the band but connected to the same scene. These incidents prompted police investigations that led to Samoth’s imprisonment for arson and Faust’s murder conviction.
In 1994, Samoth received a 16-month prison sentence for his involvement in burning Skjold Church alongside Varg Vikernes.[1] That year also saw the release of In the Nightside Eclipse, which achieved critical acclaim and broadened their audience.
Following Samoth's release on parole, drummer Trym and bassist Alver joined Emperor. Towards the end of 1996, they recorded Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, which earned 'album of the year' accolades from prominent metal magazines such as UK’s Terrorizer and US’s Metal Maniacs. Shortly after this success, Alver left the band.
Emperor toured internationally, including a significant concert in Mexico City on 24 July 1999.
Recording their third album IX Equilibrium as a trio—with Ihsahn handling keyboards, vocals, guitars, and bass—they embarked on tours across Europe and North America. By 2000, Samoth and Trym were gravitating towards death metal influences while Ihsahn focused on his side project Peccatum. The group disbanded in 2001 following the release of Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise, an album entirely composed by Ihsahn. He cited maintaining the band's artistic integrity amid diverging creative visions as the reason for dissolving Emperor. Samoth confirmed that differing priorities among members necessitated ending the band.[2]
Hiatus and occasional live performances
Post-breakup, Samoth and Trym continued their work with the black/death metal outfit Zyklon, whereas Ihsahn concentrated on his family project Peccatum before launching a solo career reminiscent of both Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise and Peccatum, featuring drummer Asgeir Mickelson from Borknagar and Vintersorg. This solo endeavor was well-received within black metal circles.
Emperor surprised fans with a brief three-song performance in Oslo on 30 September 2005, followed by announcements of full concerts across California, New York City, and Europe slated for 2006. They were also booked for appearances at the Inferno Metal Festival in April and Germany's renowned Wacken Open Air festival in August. Due to visa complications stemming from his 1992 arson conviction, Samoth was unable to join the US tour; consequently, Emperor performed without him.
On 7 October 2006, Emperor played an intimate under-18 Motstøy festival event in Notodden at a small venue with only 450 tickets available, which sold out rapidly. Later that month on 28 October, they performed at London's Astoria where they received enthusiastic acclaim. In 2007, Emperor conducted select US shows along with festival appearances in France and Finland.
A tablature book featuring thirteen transcriptions by Ihsahn from their compilation Scattered Ashes: A Decade of Emperial Wrath, including an introduction penned by him, was released on 31 October 2007 through Candlelight Records. Additionally, their albums were reissued as part of a special box set with an exclusive poster on 21 August 2007.
On 23 October 2007, Samoth revealed that Emperor was preparing their second official DVD release. This project was unveiled on 8 December 2008 as Live Inferno, comprising a double-disc live album and DVD documenting performances at Inferno and Wacken festivals during their reunion period. It became available on 16 April 2009 in Europe and on 21 April in North America.
Emperor announced another reunion on 2 August 2013 to headline Wacken Festival's 25th anniversary event in 2014. They also served as headliners for the same year's editions of Bloodstock Open Air and Hellfest (French music festival). In April 2014, additional concerts were scheduled in Tokyo and Osaka for July; Trym replaced Faust due to visa issues.
The band reunited once more on 12 August 2016 to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of their sophomore album Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk through special performances.
On 27 December 2018, Emperor confirmed their participation at Mexico Metal Fest in Monterrey scheduled for 2019.
Despite these reunion shows, Ihsahn has stated there are no plans for new studio recordings by Emperor, emphasizing black metal’s demand for authenticity: "It's kind of a lose-lose thing... none of us can see any reason to do that beyond what we already do."
Legacy
Emperor holds a prominent position among music critics and rising black metal groups. In 2016, Dayal Patterson from Metal Hammer highlighted that although the band emerged in the early 1990s and was relatively young, they rapidly established themselves as one of Norway’s foremost black metal ensembles. Their compositions continue to be distinctive and influential, with fewer artists attempting to emulate their sound compared to early trailblazers such as Burzum and Darkthrone. By 2025, Jillian Drachman of Loudwire acknowledged Ihsahn and Samoth as two of the "11 Best Black Metal Guitarists of All Time."
Controversy
In 1995, Ihsahn publicly endorsed arson during an interview, citing the 1992 destruction of Skjold Church—a historic wooden structure valued at 13 million Norwegian Kroner—as a symbolic anti-Christian gesture representing a pagan revival.
The band's association with controversy resurfaced in 2014 when former drummer Faust, who has a criminal conviction for murder, rejoined Emperor for live performances, provoking public disapproval.
Current lineup
- Ihsahn – vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Samoth – guitar, drums
- Trym Torson – drums
Former members
- Håvard "Mortiis" Ellefsen – bass
- Bård "Faust" Eithun – drums
- Terje "Tchort" Schei – bass
- Jonas "Alver" Alver – bass
Live members
- Current
- Tony "Secthdamon" Ingebrigtsen – bass, backing vocals
- Jørgen Munkeby – keyboards, backing vocals
- Former
- Vidar "Ildjarn" Våer – bass
- Steinar "Sverd" Johnsen – keyboards
- Joachim "Charmand Grimloch" Rygg – keyboards
- Jan Erik "Tyr" Torgersen – bass
- Einar Solberg – keyboards, backing vocals
- Gerlioz – keyboards
- Ole Vistnes – bass
Discography
Studio albums
- In the Nightside Eclipse (1994)
- Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (1997)
- IX Equilibrium (1999)
- Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise (2001)
External links
- Official website
- AllMusic profile
- Discogs artist page