Norwegian black metal pioneers Emperor played a raucous show at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn this past Saturday night on the second stop of their 2025 North American Tour celebrating 31 years of their 1994 groundbreaking debut album In The Nightside Eclipse. Led by the strong songwriting acumen of frontman and lead guitarist Ihsahn, Emperor set the standard in the emerging and, at times, controversial Norwegian black metal scene of the early 1990s on the backs of the aforementioned Nightside and 1997’s Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, both of which are considered cornerstone black metal releases. The group’s last appearance in the States was in 2023 on a similar tour which commemorated the release of Anthems, as the setlist featured nearly all of the album’s tracks. Prior to that 2023 show, also at Kings Theatre, Emperor had not played in the United States in over fifteen years.
The band took the stage around 9:25pm to a round of applause from an eager crowd, rife with anticipation upon hearing the introduction to Nightside against the visual backdrop that bore the album’s iconic purple cover. After the intro concluded, Ihsahn appeared from backstage as the group ripped into “Into the Infinity of Thoughts.” They rarely looked back for the rest of the evening, as “The Burning Shadow of Silence” and “Cosmic Keys to My Creations & Times” followed next. After omitting “Beyond the Great Vast Forest,” the black metal legends continued with “Towards the Pantheon” and “The Majesty of the Nightsky,” ensuring that this would not be a traditional track-by-track album show.
Come for the song, stay for me getting shoved multiple times while recording.
The circle pit was active throughout most of the show, but perhaps none moreso than during “I Am the Black Wizards,” which is considered to be one of the most legendary black metal anthems ever created. This unsuspecting reviewer was effectively body checked a good two feet from his spot in the pit during its crescendo, which elicited some good natured laughs from the surrounding crowd. Emperor concluded their Nightside set with “Inno a Satana,” another classic that closes the album.
After a brief interlude, the Norwegian legends returned to the stage with a crushing version of “Curse You All Men!,” the opening track from 1999’s IX Equilibrium. A trio of Anthems songs followed, as the band ripped through rousing versions of “Thus Spake the Nightspirit,” “The Loss and Curse of Reverance,” and an incredible rendition of “With Strength I Burn,” which may have been the apex of the performance. “In the Wordless Chamber” from the group’s 2001, and to date last, studio album Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise came next before the group concluded with another Anthems classic, “Ye Entrancemperium.” As the band left the stage, the familiar sounds of the instrumental final track from Anthems, “The Wanderer,” ushered the crowd into the night.
Emperor’s performance on this evening was nothing short of majestic. Ihsahn masterfully mixed his trademark black metal growls and shrieks with the beautiful clean passages, most notably on “With Strength I Burn.” His guitar interplay with longtime rhythm guitarist Samoth was near flawless, as both players consistently impressed throughout the band’s 80-minute performance. Drummer Trym and bassist Secthdamon provided a formidable rhythm section, while Jørgen Munkeby’s keyboard playing perfectly accentuated the black metal magic being made, providing that symphonic element that has set Emperor apart from their peers over 30 years ago. Fans of the group, and black metal enthusiasts in general, should jump at the chance to see Ihsahn, Samoth, and Trym, who have played together since Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, perform these iconic songs in person.
Wolves in the Throne Room provided support for this show, opening the concert with a six song set that whet the crowd’s appetite for progressive black metal mastery.
Emperor’s North American Tour continues tomorrow in Denver before concluding this weekend with three dates in California. Support for these dates will be provided by Agalloch, who are performing songs from Ashes Against the Grain for two of the California shows, and Wayfarer in Denver and Anaheim. Any self-respecting black metal fan would be well advised to attend, lest they be labeled a poser!
