Black metal band from Notodden (Telemark), Norway, founded in 1991 by Ihsahn (Vegard Tveitan) and Samoth (Tomas Haugen). Emperor were the first Norwegian black metal group to include symphonic keyboard arrangements and orchestration in their music, which soon made them one of the most influential bands in the whole black metal scene. During their 10-year career Emperor recorded four full-length albums, with which their music developed increasingly more technical and complex, reaching its peak on the "Prometheus" album. Emperor disbanded in 2001, but they have done selected reunion appearances over the years. First one was in 2005-2007, when they did few festival dates and brief US tours. In 2013-2014 Emperor reunited with the original drummer Faust (Bård Eithun) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of "In The Nightside Eclipse" album. The most recent 2017-2018 festival reunion shows focus on celebrating the 20th anniversary of their second album "Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk". Final line-up: Ihsahn (Vegard Tveitan) - Guitar, keyboards, vocals (1991-2001, 2005-2007, 2013-2014, 2016- ) Samoth (Tomas Haugen) - Drums (1991-1992), Guitar (1992-2001, 2005-2007, 2013-2014, 2016- ) Trym (Kai Mosaker) - Drums (1996-2001, 2005-2007, 2016- ) Former members: Mortiis (Håvard Ellefsen) - Bass (1991-1992) Faust (Bård Eithun) - Drums (1992-1994, 2013-2014) Tchort (Terje Schei) - Bass (1993-1994) Alver (Jonas Alver) - Bass (1996-1998) Session/live members: Hellhammer (Jan Axel Von Blomberg) - Drums (1992, 1994) Ildjard (Vidar Våer) - Bass Mark Allen - Keyboards Sverd (Steinar Sverd Johnsen) - Keyboards (1994-1995) Tyr (5) (Jan Torgersen) - Bass (1998-2001) Charmand Grimloch (Joachim Rygg) - Keyboards (1998-2001) Secthdamon (Tony Ingebrigtsen) - Bass (2005-2007, 2013-2014, 2016- ) Einar Solberg - Keyboards (2005-2007, 2013-2014, 2016- ) Trym (Kai Mosaker) - Drums Geir Bratland - Keyboards Jørgen Munkeby - Keyboards
Emperor was a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1991, regarded as highly influential by critics and emerging black metal bands. They dissolved in 2001, but reunited from 2005 to 2007 for a few festival dates and brief US tours, and again reunited in 2013 to 2014. The group was founded by Ihsahn (guitar/vocals) and Samoth (then, drums).