Emperor

Emperor started in 1991 with Samoth (drums/guitar), Ihsahn (guitar/vocals) and Mortiis (bass). Previously a death metal band, named Thou Shalt Suffer, the group adopted the black metal style and its current name when Ihsahn and Samoth met Euronymous around 1991. The first demo, Wrath of the Tyrant (1992), attracted the attention of the record label Candlelight. This was followed at the end of the same year by the eponymous demo Emperor. Shortly afterwards, the band signed a contract that notably allowed them to release Emperor as a split with Hordanes Land, by Enslaved. Samoth now handles the guitar, Ihsahn the vocals and guitar, and Bård Faust joins the band on drums. Mortiis leaves the band to work on his ambient music project and is replaced by Tchort. Emperor works on its first album, In the Nightside Eclipse, in 1993.