Emperor | Artist

Emperor is a Norwegian black metal band formed 1991 in Notoddon by Ihsahn (guitar, vocals) and Samoth (drums, guitar). They are regarded as one of the most highly influential black metal bands. Ihsahn and Samoth originally met at a rock music seminar and formed a band called Thou Shalt Suffer. They were joined by bass player Mortiis and renamed themselves Emperor. The group split and reunited several times, and saw the addition of drummers Faust and then Trym Torson. Drummer Faust is a convicted murderer and has attracted great controversy to the band. Also controversial is Ihsahn's anti-christian Norse pagan beliefs and statements, which are believed to have incited the burning of the 100 year old Skjold Christian church by pagan cultists. Ihsahn has subsequently attributed his ties to Satanism as being part of his adolescence. The band has released seven studio albums, standouts include Emperor, In The Nightside Eclipse, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, Prometheus and Live Inferno. Early in their career the band members wore distinctive "Corpse Paint" but ceased wearing it once it became a trend and lost its original significance and symbolism.

Artist Website: emperorhorde.com

Featured Albums: Emperor

Related Artists: Ihsahn, Arcturus