In my opinion, they are the very best of Black Metal, even to this day. Insanely talented musicians and songwriters. Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (and Nightside) gave black metal real musical chops and never fails to send shivers down my spine when I listen to the albums. Too bad I'll most likely never see them play live...
What I love most about their playing style is that they are very aware of what they are doing They use all kinds of arpeggios and chords (eg. augmented, diminished, maj7s etc.), and they take advantage of lots of different positions and voicings to create a more sinister sound. Most metal bands just rely on power chords, whereas Ihsahn and Samoth are almost like jazz players.
Totally, they just look at each other, if that. Proper connection. They are so tight. I love that feeling when you connect with another musician like that. When music is the only language you need.
i have loved emperor since the late 90s as a teen! samoth is the reason i LOVE LTD/ESP Ec/eclipse guitars !! hearing his playing on them made a mark on me...wch is why i own several !
I'm listening to Emperor probably around 12 years and just watching these guys gets me thinking that I don't think I'll ever get tired of listening to them
+David Murphy Agreed... i will listen Emperor until i the day i die. Hearing these riffs always makes me want to put on the entire albums they are from right away. Together with Taake, Emperor is my most favorite band \m/
Musical fucking Gods ! The professionalism and quality of composition of this guys is out of this world. Like the comentator if I was there all I could say was Wow. And "that sounds Just like the record".
Not a black metal guy, but for some reason I love this band...everything from In the Nightside Eclipse to Promtetheus was great to me. Ihsahn looks like he could be your local accountant.
+Kevin W You don`t have to be a fan who likes every black metal band out there. I think everyone has a band/artist (or at least a few songs) they like alot even though the artists are from music genres that the person barely listens to/doesn`t like. Emperor is a good band that qualifies as such, i know a few friends of mine love Emperor`s music but aren`t big fans of Emperor or Black metal in general.
his picking is insane. give ihsahn credits for the composing and the solos, but in general picking and riffing he remains one of the best in his genre to me.
Curse You All Men! So damn good!! Definitely my favourite Emperor track, as IX EQUILIBRIUM is my fave album of theirs. The technique and writing is just phenomenal. Love Emperor… Ihsahn and Samoth.
In the nightside eclipse was what I listened to in the dark on headphones at night as a teenager. It was like flying out of my body on the astral. Ihsahn writes like a classical composer and no one had as vast a landscape as they did.
as a guy who plays black metal..these guys are incredible tight, have a very efficient right hand, and have amazing consistency in their playing. Not only do they play intricate riffs, but Isham does vocals as well. Love these videos \m/
I recently got interested in Black Metal a few years ago. I view it as a progression from the previous metal I listened to (but that I still like). There is no question that Emperor is the cream of the crop of Black Metal. These guys sound like a "Symphony of Metal". Epic and Powerful, they're excellent musicians. Next in line for me, would be Immortal, grim and haunting. Yeah!
Emperor to me seems like the Death of black metal. They were way ahead of their time and of their owm genre. Very progressive and just different. Very evident in the musical arrangements and compositions of song structures. Anyone think similarly about it?
Well, in my personal view that is how I see it. Especially with Death' s album symbolic and other more progressive albums. Emperor took a similar progressive route. Again, that is how I perceive it. I do agree with your other arguments though.
They are difinitively one of the most musically gifted bands in Black metal, they have a very, unique and distinctive sound and style and have insanely good songwriting skills. they always have these very weird sounding harmonics and you can easily tell if you are hearing Emperor. however i dont really like their music, but i really respect what they have done for metal and how they proove that Black metal has both balls and skills! Respect!
watching them play really gives you an idea of how good these guys are. not just a solitary players, but how well they play together. its cool that they had being playing as friends from their early teens.
@@ItsNotaTuhmah Yeah they composed songs together on first two albums. IX was mostly done by Ihsahn which u can hear and song credits also tell u that. Prometheus was completely written by Ihsahn. Personally I didn't like last two albums, too progressive and experimental. I wish they could just write one last album with Emperor, pure melodic black metal album.
@@ItsNotaTuhmah I really wished I knew exactly how much of those 2 albums were his contribution, IIRC Samoth was more into the death metal riffs, but those 2 albums, if 50/50 each or whatever, are fucking brilliant. I like the latter too tho
I love it when people say that Black Metal is talentless. I dont even try to convince them. Hey once upon about 25 years ago I had to learn the truth myself. Now it is my favorite genre.
Amazing how creativity stagnates over time. The likes of In the Nightside Eclipse and Anthems, made almost 20 yrs ago, are a pristine example of the true spirit of metal once caught and now LOST.
Picking that fast and that clean and precise without any apparent struggle is just unbelievable. Ridiculously good musicians.
In my opinion, they are the very best of Black Metal, even to this day. Insanely talented musicians and songwriters. Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (and Nightside) gave black metal real musical chops and never fails to send shivers down my spine when I listen to the albums. Too bad I'll most likely never see them play live...
Now 13 years later and saw them live May 2023. They kicked off playing through the whole album 'In the Nightside Eclipse' Amazing show.
Ihsahn was basically a classical composer with rock instruments
The Arnold Schonberg of metal
What I love most about their playing style is that they are very aware of what they are doing They use all kinds of arpeggios and chords (eg. augmented, diminished, maj7s etc.), and they take advantage of lots of different positions and voicings to create a more sinister sound. Most metal bands just rely on power chords, whereas Ihsahn and Samoth are almost like jazz players.
It's even more impressive that they wrote this when they were teenagers!
@@Mark-kr5go True!
Absolutely 🔥
Very well said. \m/
If you ever get a chance check out Danny Gatton
0:01 I am The Black Wizards
1:53 Inno a Satana
3:12 Curse You All men
5:42 Loss and curse of reverence
6:23 Thus Spake the nighspirit
Samoth and Ihsahn converse mentally xDD
Totally, they just look at each other, if that. Proper connection. They are so tight. I love that feeling when you connect with another musician like that. When music is the only language you need.
I love how the intro to curse you all men is written. absolutely superb. Ihsahn has an unmatched writing style in this genre.
Anybody watching this in 2021....who's been listening to Emperor for over 25 years?
i have loved emperor since the late 90s as a teen! samoth is the reason i LOVE LTD/ESP Ec/eclipse guitars !! hearing his playing on them made a mark on me...wch is why i own several !
I'm listening to Emperor probably around 12 years and just watching these guys gets me thinking that I don't think I'll ever get tired of listening to them
+David Murphy Agreed... i will listen Emperor until i the day i die. Hearing these riffs always makes me want to put on the entire albums they are from right away.
Together with Taake, Emperor is my most favorite band \m/
Incredible compositions... A perfect dark sound. Lives forever
I was thinking that I think I think that too
Musical fucking Gods ! The professionalism and quality of composition of this guys is out of this world. Like the comentator if I was there all I could say was Wow. And "that sounds Just like the record".
Not a black metal guy, but for some reason I love this band...everything from In the Nightside Eclipse to Promtetheus was great to me. Ihsahn looks like he could be your local accountant.
+Kevin W You don`t have to be a fan who likes every black metal band out there. I think everyone has a band/artist (or at least a few songs) they like alot even though the artists are from music genres that the person barely listens to/doesn`t like.
Emperor is a good band that qualifies as such, i know a few friends of mine love Emperor`s music but aren`t big fans of Emperor or Black metal in general.
A lot of black metal bands have their own sound, Emperor, Darkthrone, Immortal...
Yes there is something about this band that transcends the whole genre thing for sure
Prometheus is underrated
@@tonyluna3894 they transcend the melodic/symphonic side of things I'd say
You know a riff is godlike when you play it slow, and it still gives you chill's.
Emperor: Supreme Practitioners of Sophisticated Black Metal Art Music.
The legendary guitar twins! Respect!
IHSAHN & MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT are both musical gods, I definitely was happy when I found out they did a song together.
Wow!
Best guitar duo in Black Metal history. Period.
Nocturno Culto & Zephyrous tho
@TheBoi353 Ted and Fenriz rarely plays guitar together, its usually either or
Ted Skjellum/ Gylve Nagell
@TheBoi353 Varg played bass
zaha352 bass... guitar. It’s still a guitar.
These are INCREDIBLE MUSICIANS!
My favorite BM band of all time. It's just genius. Decades after, the Emperor sound is ever emotional. Great !!
Love the obituary thumbnail
And this is how people that break up after their 4th album for aesthetical differences jam together. They really were a whole bunch, WOW
Ihsahn is one of my favorite guitarists. The guy has such creative talent...
It’s something they get from all those hours of darkness in forests of Norway... wish I could get some
Samoth's right-hand technique is cool to watch
his picking is insane. give ihsahn credits for the composing and the solos, but in general picking and riffing he remains one of the best in his genre to me.
Silenoz1991 I put him in the top 5 metal riff masters of all time.
Samoth and Ihsahn wrote 50/50 back in the day excepting Prometheus.
I love how Ihsahn isn't even looking half the time yet makes no mistakes.
In my childhood, I used to play Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk on my system on repeat just to be awakened by random parts of this masterpiece!
i get chills with their music Isahn knows how to make music and makes you feel alive in this universe !!!!
Curse You All Men! So damn good!! Definitely my favourite Emperor track, as IX EQUILIBRIUM is my fave album of theirs. The technique and writing is just phenomenal. Love Emperor… Ihsahn and Samoth.
In the nightside eclipse was what I listened to in the dark on headphones at night as a teenager. It was like flying out of my body on the astral. Ihsahn writes like a classical composer and no one had as vast a landscape as they did.
how Ihsahn unlocked these out of this world riffs on his brain no one will EVER KNOW!
as a guy who plays black metal..these guys are incredible tight, have a very efficient right hand, and have amazing consistency in their playing. Not only do they play intricate riffs, but Isham does vocals as well. Love these videos \m/
I recently got interested in Black Metal a few years ago. I view it as a progression from the previous metal I listened to (but that I still like). There is no question that Emperor is the cream of the crop of Black Metal. These guys sound like a "Symphony of Metal". Epic and Powerful, they're excellent musicians. Next in line for me, would be Immortal, grim and haunting. Yeah!
It's the 87th time I watch this video..
170th now
Around 300 times I guess...
How do you count?
@@nihilitys Not at all.
@@tiREV55 i forgot that comment lol
Emperor to me seems like the Death of black metal. They were way ahead of their time and of their owm genre. Very progressive and just different. Very evident in the musical arrangements and compositions of song structures. Anyone think similarly about it?
Well, in my personal view that is how I see it. Especially with Death' s album symbolic and other more progressive albums. Emperor took a similar progressive route. Again, that is how I perceive it.
I do agree with your other arguments though.
***** i belive he means the band "Death" and not the "downfall"(so to speak) of black metal.
+Grevert Marmor Exactly what I meant. Sorry for the misunderstanding guys.
Sir, you are perfectly right. I couldn't say it better
@ juvedoo99 Amen on everything you said!
Probably the most complex black metal band there is, brilliant riffs and sounds so good with both playing. 🤘🤘
This is one of the reasons why black metal will always be the best metal has to offer
Loss & Curse of Reverence part is amazing
Its like they crossed the border out of metal and into classical music.
A mix of black metal and classical music, one that inspired Dimmu
They are difinitively one of the most musically gifted bands in Black metal, they have a very, unique and distinctive sound and style and have insanely good songwriting skills.
they always have these very weird sounding harmonics and you can easily tell if you are hearing Emperor. however i dont really like their music, but i really respect what they have done for metal and how they proove that Black metal has both balls and skills!
Respect!
You cant make this up .. it has to come from you itself ... amazing
He's an awesome guy. Works as a music teacher. Really nice and calm.
Amazing how they make 12 strings sound like a classical orchestra
Chords.
Harmonies
Textures
Distortion.
Testosterone.
The complexity of the songs is just mindblowing.
in case any of you don't know... this is some of the best music that has ever been made in the history of the earth
This is the coolest thing I've seen in too long. Such inspiration.
I watched this video with my guitarist so many times from the rehearsal space. Nostalgic
Thank u so much for the upload...this is amazing
The nonchalance in this video is unreal. The blank stare Ihsahn gives after melting everyone’s face 😂
this is fantastic, the talent is uncanny
I can't believe I never got to see them. I'll never get over it! \m/
watching them play really gives you an idea of how good these guys are. not just a solitary players, but how well they play together. its cool that they had being playing as friends from their early teens.
Thank you for your music! You are a master, Ihsahn!!
Such a wonderful blend! Thanks, guys!
their harmoniey express such an incredible passion and sadness, to me its the ultimate music, not only in metal.
Read somewhere that Ihsahn works as a music-teacher now. Nocturno Culto (Darkthrone) is also a teacher -at an elementary-school :)
Instantly visible difference between In The Nightside Eclipse material and later material.
autobotftwww i think anthems is amazing!
Samoth used to write more on ITNE and Anthems.
Also, the most death metal riffing on IX was done by Samoth, like the intro/verse of Curse you All Men.
@@ItsNotaTuhmah Yeah they composed songs together on first two albums. IX was mostly done by Ihsahn which u can hear and song credits also tell u that. Prometheus was completely written by Ihsahn. Personally I didn't like last two albums, too progressive and experimental. I wish they could just write one last album with Emperor, pure melodic black metal album.
@@ItsNotaTuhmah I really wished I knew exactly how much of those 2 albums were his contribution, IIRC Samoth was more into the death metal riffs, but those 2 albums, if 50/50 each or whatever, are fucking brilliant. I like the latter too tho
I just........came IT WAS AMAZIN!
Unbelievable! Making two guitars sound like a goddamn symphony orchestra! Modern day satanic Beethoven’s. One of my favorite bands ever!
Beautiful, beautiful guitar tone, riffs, oh.
Satan always gets the best riffs!
God made the light and the darkness.....So God made all the riffs.
True masters of metal, the emperors of the whole metal world, for ever and ever
They actually really make use of the 2 guitar concept. :-)
Nice! The part where they play "curse you all men" is so great! I need to learn it asap! Thanks for the upload.
Two great Musicians true black Metal legends Emperor got me into black Metal
Thus Spake The Nightspirit 🤘
OLD SCHOOL BLACK METAL!!!
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
It really sounds symphonic, it could be classical music!
And it is classical music
IT Is...
Ihsahn is love
Such a down to earth guy
the performance of these guys always sounds awesome
Thomas loks like no eyes. But its from 2009. My Idols... Were. Thank U for that. U helped me... more than ur playing.Cheers..
this is perfection right there goddamit...i wish ihsahn would sing like Abbath does in his videos..
awesome playing and great riffs!!!!!
beautiful very beautiful
emperor is my best band of black metal , too impaled nazarene
\m/ Best black metal band ever.
@ 3:13 Curse you all Men! From In The Nightside Eclipse, to the best song of Equilbrium IX \m/ Awesome transition!
Very underrated guitarists
Incredible..... The Dark Gods are speaking and playing.
I LOVE EMPEROR !!!!!!!!
I love it when people say that Black Metal is talentless. I dont even try to convince them. Hey once upon about 25 years ago I had to learn the truth myself. Now it is my favorite genre.
One and Only...EMPEROR! Hail!!! 🤘😎🤘🇲🇾
WOW... Emperor was the best!!! I hope one day they will make another record!!!
Super excellent!!!!!!
I think they´re one of the most important icons in the BM... Just great.
truely master of the riffs
These guys are freakin' ingenious!!
they are so talented!
Бля , как же круто они играют.
Tight musicians for sure
Amazing how creativity stagnates over time. The likes of In the Nightside Eclipse and Anthems, made almost 20 yrs ago, are a pristine example of the true spirit of metal once caught and now LOST.
that sounds too perfect
Total genious!
Genious!!!
lol. what a great guitar play and solos! I'm not kidding, really
" Disbelievers shall by dawn, be forced to forever mourn."
I love classical. I love Emperor. Record more!
samoth like a boss keeping the beat in the back
The coolest Norwegian black metal guitar duo.
Legendary!!!
they have pretty good knowledge about Harmony
Ihsahn is classically trained
@@911copcar and he wrote this when he was 16 or 17
Looool the first riff of a few secounds reminds me of belzebubz - blackened call. They have to be fans of emperor for sure
emperor for ever 😘😘😘😘
HAHAHAHA, I love how bored Ihsahn looks when he's doing the harmonic trem squeals at 4:15.