Early Days:
The seminal black metal band Emperor formed in Norway in 1991 as a trio including drummer Samoth, bassist Mortiis and vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn. They recorded a demo and secured a record deal. Samoth then moved to guitar and drummer Bard Faust was brought aboard. After recording a split CD, Mortiis left the group and was replaced by Tchort. Emperor's debut full-length In The Nightside Eclipse was released in 1994.
Legal Problems:
The black metal scene in Norway at the time of Emperor's debut release was a volatile one. There were church burnings and other crimes. Emperor got caught up those legal difficulties. Samoth, Tchort and Faust were all imprisoned for various crimes. Faust was convicted of murder.
A New Beginning:
After Samoth's parole in 1996 the band reformed with new drummer Trym and new bassist Alver along with holdovers Samoth and Ihsahn. They had a triumphant return with 1997's critically acclaimed Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk. They released a few more albums and broke up in 2001. In 2005 they reunited for a three song set, and did some more live shows in 2006.
Current Band Members:
Ihsahn - Guitars, vocals, synthesizer (Arcturus, Ildjarn, Peccatum, Thou Shalt Suffer, Ulver, Wongraven, Zyklon B)
Samoth - Guitar (Arcturus, Burzum, Gorgoroth, Hagalaz' Runedance, Satyricon, Scum, Sirius, Thou Shalt Suffer, Ulver, Zyklon)
Trym Torson - Drums (Ceremony, Enslaved, Imperium, Obnoxious, Old Man´s Child, Shadow Season, Tartaros, Zyklon)
Former Band Members:
Mortiis - Bass (1991-1992)
Tchort - Bass (1992-1994)
Alver - Bass (1995-1998)
Tyr - Studio Bass (1998-2001)
Faust - Drums (1992-1993)
Discography:
1994 In The Nightside Eclipse(Candlelight)
1996 Reverence EP (Candlelight)
1997 Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk(Candlelight)
1999 IX Equilibrium (Candlelight)
2000 Emperial Live Ceremony (live)
(Candlelight)
2001 Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire &
Demise (Candlelight)
2003 Scattered Ashes: A Decade of Emperial
Wrath (Candlelight)
Essential Album:
Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk
Their sophomore full-length album, released in 1997, is even better than their masterful debut. They evolved musically and became more complex and added a few melodic parts. You can't go wrong with any Emperor album, but this is my personal favorite.
