Vegard "Ihsahn" Tveitan and Tomas "Samoth" Haugen are often seen as the main members of Emperor - but there many others, such as Kai "Trym" Torson and Bård "Faust" Eithun, which we will discuss in this post -, much in the same way Fenriz and Nocturno Culto have been the flag bearers of Darkthrone's lengthy and prestigious career in black metal.
However, where Darkthrone's duo have managed to maintain an immaculate reputation for putting out good music first, and black metal drama/controversy second (if at all), this wasn't always the case with the members of Emperor. Much like with Immortal's Abbath vs Demonaz dispute, the later years of Emperor were marked with petty insider gossip and drama.
Can a band once named "biggest sellout in black metal" (for the poorly sophomore release "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk") ever make a comeback? Let's find out, asking the masters directly.
Ihsahn and Samoth discuss the current state of Black Metal
Band members of Emperor aren't like most black metal musicians in that they are pretty open: they don't shy away from interviews. For instance, Ihsahn was quite open about what it was like being a black metal fan in the 1990s with all the controversy that went with it, and Samoth himself related his initial encounter with both Ihsahn and Euronymous in a lengthy Morsay interview.
In a recent interview for the best-selling book "Heavy Metal Master Class" by Emile Alquier, both Ihsahn and Samoth - and others - go deeper into the subject of old vs new. Specifically, how they see the evolution of the black metal scene, with modern performers more interested in "shock value" than creating good music.
Ihsahn: I have been wondering. I hope my kids don't have to be part of it but what's the next shocking thing? But since black metal, what's the next dangerous thing? [...] Pre-internet we only saw this one picture of Quorthon with the pentagram and this one picture of [Rozkov, Helgrind] with the bullet belts. It felt very natural to go that route, to really live it.
On bands "selling out" like Dimmu Borgir, or entering the genre just for the sake of making a quick buck (like Watain) at the expense of the fans and the genre as a whole, Samoth added his grain of salt.
Emperor on "Nowadays Black Metal" and its failings
This is what the guitarist and bassist had to say about the "new wave" of pseudo-black metal bands (a la Dark Funeral / Liturgy), who only adopt superficial black metal aesthetics as a marketing ploy.
Samoth: With Emperor it was always about staying focused on the musical and artistic expression, and not about striving for commercial success as the motivation, but I guess [newer bands] go into these things with different intentions.
Samoth added that he was "approached" by several members of the black metal scene, including Satyr of Satyricon and Necrobutcher of Mayhem, but the collaboration couldn't happen due to Samoth's fixation with Emperor.
Samoth: I have been offered to join several bands over the years. I've had talks with Necrobutcher and Satyr about Mayhem and Satyricon... It's always nice to be considered for a band, but having my own projects has always driven me.
It's interesting to note that he also attempted to "get in touch" with Burzum after Varg Vikernes was released from prison in 2009 (he was the one who played bass on the "Aske" EP), but to no avail.
Varg Vikernes: Samoth will never be let close to any of my doings again. Ever. [...] Samoth wimped out when the storm got too heavy and now he wants to be with us again. Let him submit and kneel only to be accepted as a thrall - the lowest ranks of value.
Note that the "Burzumination" tribute album by Warkvlt features lyrics pretty heavily directed at Ihsahn and Samoth, including this song title in particular: A Very Old Funeral for Vegárd Sméagol Mount Doom Occultard.
Emperor on Euronymous and Past Rivalries
There is documented rivalry and hostility among some early actors, including the aforementioned Varg Vikernes vs Samoth feud. According to the latter, they mended ties. There was also an overall sense of distrust between many members of the "Inner Circle" and Euronymous of Mayhem. When asked, the two drummers Torson and Faust had quite similar answers.
Trym Torson: Yes I have [been in the basement of Helvete] several times, even slept there. We all knew Euronymous and he was very helpful with supporting us to make a more epic style of music... Euronymous was the guy who initially gave us the opportunity to record our first album, and that's why [In the Nightside Eclipse, the first Emperor album] was dedicated to him.Faust: It became very difficult for Euronymous. I think he felt he had to prove that he could be a part of it and not just in the background. He was starting to feel like he was living in the shadow [of Varg Vikernes]. [...] The destructive side of the scene encouraged the criminal happenings... It was probably a good thing that a lot of us were taken out of the scene when we were.
This mirrors comments made by various inner associates in the early days of Norwegian black metal, notably the legendary Attila Csihar who is the current vocalist of Mayhem.
One thing is certain, at any rate, the black metal scene as a whole seemed to have very diverging opinions on the direction the scene should take after the departure of Euronymous in late summer 1993. The members of Emperor are at least honest with where they feel the current scene, dominated by trends and drama, is headed.
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