Emperor unleash black metal mastery in Brooklyn (photos, recap)

Emperor recently wrapped up their spring North American tour, which saw the Norwegian black metal legends performing across both the East and West Coasts. The run featured support in select markets from Wolves in the Throne Room, Agalloch, and Wayfarer. As part of the tour, Emperor treated U.S. fans to a full live performance of their trailblazing 1994 debut, In the Nightside Eclipse, in celebration of the album’s 31st anniversary.

We caught the Brooklyn, NY show at the stunning Kings Theatre, where Emperor delivered on their promise by performing every track from their debut album. The crowd erupted into a frenzy as they dished out classics like “Into the Infinity of Thoughts,” “Cosmic Keys to My Creations & Times,” “I Am the Black Wizards,” and the diabolical “Inno a Satana.”

The Flatbush crowd welcomed Emperor with raised horns and thunderous cheers, just as they did in 2023 when the legendary metallers first set foot in a Brooklyn venue. As with their last New York City appearance, the core lineup featured frontman Ihsahn, joined by founding guitarist Samoth and longtime drummer Trym Torson. Rounding out the touring lineup were Tony “Secthdamon” Ingebrigtsen on bass and Jørgen Munkeby on keyboards, both returning for another powerful run.

Following a brief intermission, Emperor returned to the stage to thrill fans with a barrage of deep cuts from their discography. They kicked things off with the ferocious “Curse You All Men!” from IX Equilibrium, instantly igniting the mosh pit and drawing some of the loudest cheers of the night. Keeping the intensity high, the band tore through a series of tracks from Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, unleashing heavy hitters like “Thus Spake the Nightspirit,” “The Loss and Curse of Reverence,” and “With Strength I Burn.”

As their time on stage drew to a close, Emperor let loose the symphonic “In the Wordless Chamber” — sadly, the sole offering from their masterful Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire and Demise album. For the grand finale, they returned to Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk with a powerful performance of “Ye Entrancemperium,” giving fans one last chance to channel their energy and erupt in full force.

Wolves in the Throne Room set the tone for the night with their atmospheric brand of black metal, opening their set with “Mountain Magick” from their latest album, Primordial Arcana. They followed with a powerful trio — “Beholden to Clan,” “Twin Mouthed Spring,” and “Crown of Stone” — from their recent EP, Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge. To close out their set, the band delivered a pair of fan-favorite throwbacks: “Thuja Magus Imperium” from Celestial Lineage and “Crystal Ammunition” from Black Cascade.

Check out photos of Emperor and Wolves in the Throne Room live at Kings Theatre, captured by Rodrigo Fredes, in the gallery below.

Emperor setlist:
Into the Infinity of Thoughts
The Burning Shadows of Silence
Cosmic Keys to My Creations & Times
Towards the Pantheon
The Majesty of the Nightsky
I Am the Black Wizards
Inno a Satana
Curse You All Men!
Thus Spake the Nightspirit
The Loss and Curse of Reverence
With Strength I Burn
In the Wordless Chamber
Ye Entrancemperium

Wolves in the Throne Room:

Emperor:

Check out fan-filmed videos:







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