EMPEROR classics “Curse You All Men (Live)” and “Inno A Satana (Live)” are now available for download via Rock Band 2 for Xbox 360. Both songs are taken from EMPEROR’s 2009 double-live album, Live Inferno. The songs represent UK-based Candlelight Records’ first to appear via the popular music video game.
Members of EMPEROR, with Brooklyn-based Noisy Puppet Studios, have been working for months scripting, testing, mixing and perfecting the songs. Founder/developer Jeremy Parker says “these tracks will put you through the ringer on every instrument. It’s a struggle to survive but once you master these tracks you have lived through one of the most intense, powerful, rock game-play ever seen.”
Guitar and drumming charts were quite a challenge to development during the creative process confirms Parker. “Both songs are a torture session that seems to never end,” he says. “And the expert drum chart in 'Curse You…' is the most difficult challenge ever seen in a music video game.You may need a friend to play the kick drum pedal for you, just to play half the hits from the live performance.”
EMPEROR/The Wretched End guitarist Samoth notes, “we think it's great kids want to be able to play more classic extreme metal! EMPEROR is pleased to offer these songs to those that dare to give them a try!"
Vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn adds, "several of my guitar students started out with music games and I believe this is how many young people develop a more passionate relationship to bands and songs these days. It's cool to be part of it."
EMPEROR released their swansong, Prometheus – The Discipline Of Fire And Demise, early September 2001. It was an epic and progressive metal album that once and for all marked EMPEROR as one of the most adventurous and gifted black metal bands of all times. In 2005, EMPEROR surprised all with an un-announced appearance at Oslo’s famed Inferno Fest. Following the performance, the band announced additional concerts that would include a visit to America; marking the second trip to the states in the band’s legendary career. Fans flocked to New York City and Los Angeles to witness the sold out performances. In 2007, additional shows would see the band return to the US for a repeat performance in New York City, a stop in Chicago, and what would be their final American performance in Los Angeles.
Released in April of last year, Live Inferno is an exclusive/professionally tracked live recordings. The beautiful 2CD package contains a stunning 16-page booklet capturing the inner details of the special reunion performances from both band and fan perspectives. Also released was a lavish deluxe version which included an enhanced 24-page booklet plus the 70-minute Live At Wacken Open Air DVD in a captivating box.
Noisy Puppet Studios works with premier labels and bands to develop quality downloadable content for Rock Band video games. The company offers a full authoring service, which includes charting the game-play for all of a song’s playable parts, programming character animations, and designing lighting and cinematography for the in-game venue.
Free demos of the songs are available to Xbox LIVE members by visiting the links below.
Eventually there comes a time when the hype about a band becomes superfluous, and their status alone speaks volumes. Such is the case with Emperor, the black metal gods hailing from Telemark, Norway. Emperor has become known as one of the originators of symphonic Black Metal that Norway is internationally renowned for. Often described as the greatest and most unique modern black metal act of all time, Emperor has sold hundred of thousands albums worldwide. Their cult album "In the Nightside Eclipse" has been ranked among albums like Slayers "Reign in Blood" and Venoms "Black Metal" as a definitive masterpiece of our time.
Beginning life as a trio in the spring of '91 with Samoth (drums), Ihsahn (guitar/vocals) and Mortiis (bass), the band quickly recorded and circulated the now legendary "Wrath of the Tyrant" demo. It was this demo that brought them to the attention of the then still-fledgling Candlelight record label. A deal was inked, Samoth moved to guitar and Bard Faust was recruited for the now vacant drum stool. By the end of 1992, the band had recorded their half of the "Emperor / Enslaved" split CD which surfaced early the following year. Mortiis departed, and was later replaced by Tchort.
The press response was justifiably excellent and by the summer of '93 Emperor were recording once more, this time working on their debut full-length album "In the Nightside Eclipse". By the time of the albums release in 1994 they had become without a doubt one of the most important bands in the genre, gathering worldwide critical acclaim and a rabid fan base to match.
In autumn of '93 a series of headline-grabbing events took place, which lead to turbulence within the scene, causing Emperor to suffer some instability within the bands line-up. Despite these events, the entity of Emperor would come out even stronger in the end. Eventually a new permanent line-up was announced. Alver had replaced Tchort on bass, and Trym (ex. Enslaved) had replaced Faust on drums. The bones of what would become their most epic and majestic material to date were taking shape.
By the end of '96, now fully prepared and rehearsed, they went back into the studio. First the "Reverence" EP announced their return to the fold, followed up in early '97 with what is without doubt one of the most ambitious and important black metal releases to date..."Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk, an album of epic savagery! Not only beautiful, but bestial in it's wide ranging scope. The press agreed. Not only was "Anthems.." featured in almost every "album of the year poll" across the globe, but actually won the album of the year in both Terrorizer (UK) and Metal Maniacs (USA).
Since the release of the genre defining "Anthems.... " album, things were active in the Emperor camp. Following a couple of tours in 1997, and appearances at Dynamo and Milwaukee Metalfest in1998, the band announced that bass player Alver would be leaving. As a result of this, Ihsahn handled all bass duties on the upcoming "IX Equilibrium" album.
IX Equilibrium was their single most breathtaking vision to date. Surpassing even the mighty "Anthems..." for its sheer scope of diversity, the album utilized elements from their traditional metal roots, operatic vocals and of course their trademark symphonic soundscape.
With the success of "IX Equilibrium", Emperor set out to conquer new territories as a touring band. They toured Europe as special guests for Morbid Angel, headlined the US on their 1999s "Kings of Terror" tour, and also appeared at various festivals. During this period Emperor recorded the live album and full-length DVD, "Emperial Live Ceremony", which to this day stand as a strong testimony to Emperors mighty live performance.
In 2001 Emperor released what was to become their swansong, "Prometheus the Discipline of Fire & Demise." An epic and progressive metal album that once and for all marked Emperor as one of the most adventurous and gifted Black Metal band of all times. With the release of "Prometheus" the band also announced their departure as an active band. "The Emperor is dead, long live the Emperor" roamed the metal world. However, the legacy of Emperor was held high by their loyal fan base, and since the bands departure, their credibility has only grown stronger. In 2003, the "best-of" double album "Scattered Ashes A Decade of Emperial Wrath" was released, and celebrated many of the fine moments of Emperors career.
In 2005, Emperor took the metal world by storm at a surprise show in Oslo when they announced that they were reforming for a few selected reunion shows. In 2006 Emperor will headline Norways Inferno Festival, Germanys Wacken Open-air, and 4 exclusive shows in NYC and LA. Beyond that, the future, as ever, is a mystery waiting to be unravelled
Discography:
"Emperor"
"In the Nightside Eclipse"
"Reverence"
"Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk"
"IX Equilibrium"
"Emperial Live Ceremony"
"Prometheus the Discipline of Fire and Demise"
"Scattered Ashes a Decade of Emperial Wrath"
Official line-up:
Ihsahn
Samoth
Trym
Emperor - Inno A Satana (Wacken 2006)
Emperor
Genre(s)
Symphonic Black Metal (early), Symphonic Extreme Metal (later)
Lyrical theme(s)
Satanism (old), Nature, Mythology, Mysticism
Origin Formed in Last label Status
Norway (Notodden) 1991 Candlelight Records Split-up
Emperor reunited to play at Scream Magazine's anniversary festival, as well as to headline the 2006 editions of Norway's Inferno Festival and Germany's Wacken Open Air. In an interview with UK Magazine Terrorizer, Ihsahn hinted at the possibility of another Emperor album, but stated that Emperor is now a side project.
Emperor were one of the bands somewhat involved in the church burnings during the mid 90's. Samoth was jailed a short time for taking part in church burnings with Varg Vikernes
Discography
Wrath of the Tyrant Demo, 1992
Emperor EP, 1993
Emperor / Hordanes Land Split, 1993
In the Nightside Eclipse Full-length, 1994
As the Shadows Rise EP, 1994
Reverence EP, 1996
Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk Full-length, 1997
Emperor / Wrath of the Tyrant Best of/Compilation, 1998
Thorns vs. Emperor Split album, 1999
IX Equilibrium Full-length, 1999
Emperial Live Ceremony Video/VHS, 2000
True Kings of Norway Split, 2000
Emperial Live Ceremony Live album, 2000
The Emperial Vinyl Presentation Boxed set, 2001
Prometheus - The Discipline of Fire & Demise Full-length, 2001
Scattered Ashes: A Decade Of Emperial Wrath Best of/Compilation, 2003
Thus Spake the Nightspirit / Inno a Satana Single, 2009
Live at Wacken Open Air 2006 DVD, 2009
Live Inferno Boxed set, 2009
Live Inferno / Live at Wacken Open Air 2006 Live album, 2006
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