Emperor is a seminal Norwegian black metal band who represent a synth laden yet brutally aggressive and chaotic part of the genre, something quite different from the minimalism of other originators of the Norwegian black metal sound, e.g.Darkthrone.

The band was formed around the core members Samoth (Tomas Thormodsæter Haugen, now member of Zyklon), Ihsahn (Vegard Sverre Tveitan, Peccatum, Hardingrock) and Mortiis (Håvard Ellefsen) in 1992, and released their critically acclaimed and widely influential debut In the Nightside Eclipse in 1994 after being joined by drummer Faust (Bård Eithun, Aborym, Blood Tsunami, Scum) and having replaced Mortiis with Tchort (Terje Vik Schei, Blood Red Throne, Carpathian Forest, Green Carnation) on bass.

Around the same time as the release of the debut, most of the band are arrested on various accounts (drummer Faust on murder and arson, guitarist Samoth on arson and bassist Tchort on burglary).

Two years later, after Samoth's parole, the band releases what many consider to be their landmark achievement, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, having invited Enslaved's Trym Thorson (Kai Jonny Mosaker, now also with Zyklon) manning the drums.

Emperor goes on to release two more albums before splitting up in 2001. They reunited in late 2005 for selected festival appearances throughout 2006 (most notably Inferno in Norway and Wacken Open Air in Germany) with Secthdamon (Zyklon) as session bass.

The last concert took place in Astoria, London on the 28th of October.

But they are already planned for festivals in Spring 2007 in France.

Band members:

Current members:
* Ihsahn (Vegard Sverre Tveitan) - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboard - (1991-2001, 2005-)
* Samoth (Tomas Haugen) - Guitar (Drums) - (1991-2001, 2005-)
* Trym Torson (Kai Mosaker) - Drums - (1995-2001, 2005-)

Former members:
* Alver (Jonas Alver) - Bass - (1995-1998)
* Tchort (Terje Schei) - Bass - (1993-1994)
* Mortiis (Håvard Ellefsen) - Bass - (1991-1992)
* Faust (Bård Eithun) - Drums - (1992-1993)

Live and session members:
* Secthdamon (Odd Tony) - Bass (2006) - (Zyklon, Myrkskog)
* Einar Solberg - Keyboards (2006) - (Leprous)
* Charmand Grimloch (Joachim Rygg) - Keyboard (1998-2001) - (Tartaros)
* Tyr (Jan Erik Torgersen) - Bass (1998-2001) - (Borknagar, Vintersorg)
* Ildjarn (Vidar Vaaer) - Bass (1993) - (Ildjarn, Thou Shalt Suffer)
* Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) - Drums (1992) - (Mayhem, Arcturus, Winds, Age of Silence, ex-Immortal, Antestor, Dimmu Borgir)

Discography:

Full Length:
1994 - In the Nightside Eclipse
1997 - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk
1999 - IX Equilibrium
2001 - Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise

Live Albums:
2000 - Emperial Live Ceremony

Compilation Albums:
1998 - Wrath of the Tyrant
2001 - Emperial Vinyl Presentation
2003 - Scattered Ashes: a Decade of Emperial Wrath

Split Albums:
1993 - Emperor / Hordanes Land - Split with Enslaved
1999 - Thorns vs. Emperor - Split with Thorns
2000 - True Kings of Norway - Split with Immortal, Dimmu Borgir, Ancient and Arcturus

Singles/EPs:
1993 - Emperor
1994 - As the Shadows Rise
1996 - Reverence

Demos/Promos:
1992 - Wrath of the Tyrant

Bootlegs:
1995 - A midsummer night's dream
1997 - Conquering Europe
1999 - Live in Frostland

Videography:
1997 - The Loss and Curse of Reverence [Promo Video]
2000 - Emperial Live Ceremony [VHS/DVD]
2001 - Empty [Promo Video]