Emperor Live at The Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, CA 5/16/2025

Legendary Black Metal pioneers, Emperor return to North America to spread their dark incantations to the masses.

As one of the premiere instigators of the Black Metal scene in Norway, they are considered one of the progenitors of the appropriately named movement that now encircles the globe.

They initiated this excersion in the early 1990's, and while only releasing four albums - culminating in 2001's "Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise" - they are still as intense and exciting a quarter of a century later - their legacy remaining as vital and electricying as ever.

Frontman Ihsahn, commanding both vocals and guitar, led the charge with the same precision and intensity that cemented Emperor’s reputation decades ago. At his side, longtime collaborator Samoth delivered the other half of the band’s iconic twin‑guitar assault. They were joined by Trym Torson on drums, Secthdamon on bass and backing vocals, and Jørgen Munkeby on keyboards and additional vocals - each contributing to a performance that felt both disciplined and ferocious.

Though Ihsahn and Samoth have long since moved on to acclaimed projects outside Emperor, their reunion onstage remains a rare and powerful gift. As a longtime fan finally seeing them live for the first time, I was floored. Ihsahn’s searing vocal delivery, paired with the relentless guitars and low‑end barrage, left me speechless and grinning through the entire set.

The band wove through their back catalog without pause, creating a single, continuous onslaught. Seven of the thirteen songs came from their seminal debut "In the Nightside Eclipse", while their later albums were represented more sparingly, with only one track each from the final two records. The choices underscored just how enduring that early material remains.

While their stage show is devoid of the common trappings in the scene such as corpse paint and theatrics, the musicianship successfully carries the weight of the show.

Ihsahn projected the presence of a distinguished gentleman even as he unleashed harsh, sinister vocals. Samoth appeared sage‑like and stoic, with just a hint of something sinister beneath the calm. The rest of the lineup matched their intensity, delivering a set that felt monumental and epic.

I absolutely loved this show and cannot wait to see Emperor again.

Emperor Setlist:

Nightside (Intro)

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

Opus a Satana (Interlude)

Curse You All Men!

Thus Spake the Nightspirit

The Loss and Curse of Reverence

With Strength I Burn

In the Wordless Chamber

Ye Entrancemperium

The Wanderer (Outro)




			Emperor Live at The Hollywood Palladium Los Angeles, CA May 16th, 2025 Review and photos by Travis Baumann Legendary Black Metal pioneers, Emperor return to North America to spread their dark incantations to the masses. As one of the premiere instigators of the Black Metal scene in Norway, they are considered one of the progenitors of the appropriately named movement that now encircles the globe. They initiated this excersion in the early 1990's, and while only releasing four albums - culminating in 2001's "Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise" - they are still as intense and exciting a quarter of a century later - their legacy remaining as vital and electricying as ever. Frontman Ihsahn, commanding both vocals and guitar, led the charge with the same precision and intensity that cemented Emperor’s reputation decades ago. At his side, longtime collaborator Samoth delivered the other half of the band’s iconic twin‑guitar assault. They were joined by Trym Torson on drums, Secthdamon on bass and backing vocals, and Jørgen Munkeby on keyboards and additional vocals - each contributing to a performance that felt both disciplined and ferocious. Though Ihsahn and Samoth have long since moved on to acclaimed projects outside Emperor, their reunion onstage remains a rare and powerful gift. As a longtime fan finally seeing them live for the first time, I was floored. Ihsahn’s searing vocal delivery, paired with the relentless guitars and low‑end barrage, left me speechless and grinning through the entire set. The band wove through their back catalog without pause, creating a single, continuous onslaught. Seven of the thirteen songs came from their seminal debut "In the Nightside Eclipse", while their later albums were represented more sparingly, with only one track each from the final two records. The choices underscored just how enduring that early material remains. While their stage show is devoid of the common trappings in the scene such as corpse paint and theatrics, the musicianship successfully carries the weight of the show. Ihsahn projected the presence of a distinguished gentleman even as he unleashed harsh, sinister vocals. Samoth appeared sage‑like and stoic, with just a hint of something sinister beneath the calm. The rest of the lineup matched their intensity, delivering a set that felt monumental and epic. I absolutely loved this show and cannot wait to see Emperor again. Emperor Setlist: Nightside (Intro) 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 Opus a Satana (Interlude) Curse You All Men! Thus Spake the Nightspirit The Loss and Curse of Reverence With Strength I Burn In the Wordless Chamber Ye Entrancemperium The Wanderer (Outro)



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