EMPEROR

Highly influential Norwegian black metal band formed in Notodden in 1991.

 

Eventually there comes a time when the hype about a band becomes superfluous, and their status alone speaks volumes. volumes. Such is the case with Emperor, the black metal gods hailing from Telemark, Norway. Emperor has become known as one of the originators of symphonic Black Metal that Norway is internationally renowned for. Their cult album “In the Nightside Eclipse” has been ranked among albums like Slayer’s “Reign in Blood” and Venom’s “Black Metal” as a definitive masterpiece of our time.

 

Beginning life as a trio in the spring of '91 with Samoth (drums), Ihsahn (guitar/vocals) and Mortiis (bass), the band quickly recorded and circulated the now legendary "Wrath of the Tyrant" demo. It was this demo that brought them to the attention of the then still-fledgling Candlelight record label. A deal was inked, Samoth moved to guitar and Bard Faust was recruited for the now vacant drum stool. By the end of 1992, the band had recorded their half of the "Emperor / Enslaved" split CD which surfaced early the following year. Mortiis departed, and was later replaced by Tchort.

 

The press response was justifiably excellent and by the summer of '93 Emperor were recording once more, this time working on their debut full-length album "In the Nightside Eclipse". By the time of the albums release in 1994 they had become without a doubt one of the most important bands in the genre, gathering worldwide critical acclaim and a rabid fan base to match.