Emperor Songs Ranked

Emperor is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1991, regarded as highly influential by critics and emerging black metal bands. The group split up in 2001, but reunited from 2005 to 2007 for a few festival dates and brief US tours, and again reunited in 2013 to 2014. Emperor reformed for the third time in 2016. The group was founded by Ihsahn (guitar/vocal) and Samoth (then, drums). In their youth, Ihsahn and Samoth met at a rock music seminar. The two young men began playing together under various names; first Dark Device, then Xerasia, then Embryonic. The group soon evolved into the now well-known band Thou Shalt Suffer. Soon, however, Samoth began to write music outside of Thou Shalt Suffer, and together with Ihsahn and a new bass player called Mortiis (later of his own eponymous band Mortiis), Emperor was formed. After a short while together, the band released a demo entitled Wrath of the Tyrant. Here are all of the Emperor songs ranked.

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10. The Majesty of the Nightsky (In the Nightside Eclipse, 1994)

“Probably the most powerful song of this amazing band. This song is the symbol of the legend of Emperor. This is probably my favourite track on In The Nightside Eclispe.”

9. Beyond the Great Vast Forest (In the Nightside Eclipse, 1994)

“The epitome of Black Metal! Has never been surpassed and likely never to be. In The Nightside Eclipse, the album, stands tall amongst all that came before it and all that have come thereafter. Ihsahn, Samoth, Tchort, Faust, take a bow. My hat goes off to you guys.”

8. Cosmic Keys to My Creations and Times (In the Nightside Eclipse, 1994)

“Black metal at its most melodic and enjoyable, yet you can feel the wrath of the gods unfurling. Good thing this bit is repeated later to even greater effect.”

7. Thus Spake the Nightspirit (Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, 1997)

“A real symphonic masterpiece. The symphonic breakdown towards the end really makes you wanna band your head. Long Reign the Emperor!”

See more: Emperor Albums Ranked

6. Towards the Pantheon (In the Nightside Eclipse, 1994)

“There’s no such thing as overkill with Emperor. From the very beginning they fit everything they possibly could into every note of their music, so much so that you can can almost hear it groaning under its own weight of hardware and style.”

5. Ye Entrancemperium (Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, 1997)

“Probably the most formidable song from their discography. The intro to it is a blatant tribute to Euronymous who actually wrote that monstrous riff for one of Mayhem’s tracks “Of Sodomy and War”. Such an alluring intro that could very well be subsumed as a theme during evocation rituals.”

4. With Strength I Burn (Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, 1997)

“All Emperor’s songs, from all theirs albums are not form this word… I really like them all and very much… However, With Strength I Burn is simply the first one and after Ye Entrancemperium… Greatest epic inward adventure told in a mysterious story of a night traveller”

See more: Panic! at the Disco Songs Ranked

3. Into the Infinity of Thoughts (In the Nightside Eclipse, 1994)

“The second part of Into the Infinity of Thoughts is musical perfection in terms of being just so engaging, and they do the same a few other times. Ishahn follows the drums, but he’s good, he has one of the best rasping voices in black metal. “

2. Inno a Satana (Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, 1994)

“This song in particular among emperors impressive catalog demonstrates the timeless beauty and magesty of germanic music akin to Beethoven symphonies and Chopin Ballades, that has been wrapped tightly in barbed wire, cast in shadow and only the luckiest few on this planet are allowed access.”

1. I Am the Black Wizards (Wrath of the Tyrant, 1992)

“No exception, this is the ultimate Emperor track and kills in every way possible. This is such a classic album and just to think that all the members were 19-20 years old when they made this and yet it’s so extremely well made, technically, musically and production-wise.”