Listening to Emperor for the first time ever⎮Metal Reactions #48

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PO Box 1141 Stillwater, OK 74076 Today I listen to Emperor for the first time ever.
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TIME STAMPS:
Hi & Subscribe :) 00:00
1. Al Svartr (The Oath) and Ye Entrancemperium 2:00
Final Thoughts 25:00
My name is Kaiya Pelletier and I am documenting my metal journey as I discover and listen to metal music for the first time ever. I'm in my mid 20's and I've been a singer songwriter and performer for over 10 years. Currently I'm in 3 bands and gigging around in Asheville, NC where I live. I have a Bloodhound named Spooner, I love mexican food, Stephen King, collecting CD's and cassettes and my favorite movies are tied between Jurrassic Park and Alien.
Current Moshpit Count: 13,710

[@domsob92]

If you have to pick one song from the Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk album, it has to be the last one - With Strength I Burn. Their best song ever.

[@vandebilding]

Yep a truly epic fucking track

[@DangBrent]

The live version is just something else, had the chance to watch them last year and it was mind blowing

[@Afther]

YESSS the live version is *chef kiss*

[@blackadder8691]

Nah the album version then straight into the wanderer. Off the ship then across the lands. 😉

[@ChristianBoragine]

except the last one is "the wanderer" 😅

[@Ctrl-alt-destroy73]

This album is the turning point for Ihsahn when he goes from “songwriter “ to composer.

[@blackadder8691]

Agreed. This album is perfection

[@SelfPL]

This album gets better with every listen. I get chills every single time! I hope to experience them live some day!

[@joelrappaport1034]

I just saw them live in aniheim.

[@firstnamelastname5435]

Dude I have it on vinyl it literally gets played more than the rest of my collection combined

[@フレドリク]

This is my perfect album. For over 20 years this has been my favourite album.

[@jeffnogo]

Emperor are one of the best black metal bands of all time (In the Nightside Eclipse in particular), but Emperor almost always needs a second listen. Because the first listen to most of their songs is usually kind of overwhelming, but it soon clicks on the next listen or two.

[@tarjeidavidsen7611]

I dunno if it's a hot take or not but Prometheus is my favorite album. Empty is a fucking incredible song.

[@keeperofknowledge4120]

The opening riff of Ye Entranceperium was written by Euronomyous

[@botondnagy7649]

But as I recall, Ishan told that you should not think to something extraordinary... However, from that he managed to make something really extraordinary!

[@molibianco]

Their live show is a life changing experience, especially when this combo of songs start

[@kevinallerston5969]

This is my favourite album. The wall of sound is hypnotic.

[@chris.mcewin]

They've been touring this album in full for the last 5 or so years all over the world. And it is FUCKING AMAZING live..... I've seen them do it about 5 times in 3 different countries now haha.

[@beanman2206]

ye entrancemperium is straight one of the best black metal songs of all time!!

[@tatuauvinen3300]

In the Nightside Eclipse is a must listen album if you're getting into Emperor. It has all the classic songs such as Inno a Satana and I Am the Black Wizards. Absolutely phenomenal record and band.

[@keeperofknowledge4120]

Especially when you consider they were 16 when they wrote that classic.

[@mgkpraesi]

I was 16 when i bought it. My Family looked at me like i was some kind of freak ^^. Which i was :P

[@blackadder8691]

Watch them rehearse in England in 94 and he’s got full length nails and plays perfectly. Pure talent.

[@NecroAttila]

I'm The Black Wizards, but the EP version, the scream at meddle it's a Lucifer's one 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@Mike-mc3sh]

This is the shit! Emperor is fantastic black metal. Takes a bit to get used to the recording quality but once you catch on to what they're doing it's just amazing.

[@mikkolappalainen9916]

The real shit!

[@emperialAnthems]

You just got an Emperorgasm !!! Best band ever, best album ever. Nothing else to say.

[@nickfanzo]

Emperor is amazing. You got that right. Masterpiece

[@guitar_noodle]

Ihsahn, the vocalist and guitarist is a brilliant composer. I really hope you do a full album listen of Ihsahn- The Adversary. It’s F’n bad ass! It’s his solo album featuring some prog elements and some King Diamond influence as he is a KD fan. When my friend first introduced me to Emperor, I couldn’t get into them. It was bc of their production. A lot going on but sounded messy, it wasn’t clear what was happening musically. It wasn’t until I saw their Emperial live ceremony video that I became a fan. Their live show production was a lot clearer. I could hear what they were doing. I was blown away!

[@harrihakala3884]

And for me personally, the album Anthems to the Welking at Dusk was an outtake from the Norwegian black metal community. As far as I know Vegard (Ihsahn) was the only member of Emperor, who wasn't in jail 1996 (other guys for church arson, desecration of graves, violent assaults, murder etc.) and he moved to his parent's farm basically in middle of nowhere to write the album while waiting for Tomas (Samoth) to get out of jail. Meanwhile when he nonetherless didn't want to be connected by any means to the actions of his bandmates. This was basically also the reason of the change in the lyrical themes. As I see it, Emperor has been carrying a cape of mysticism with them since the first demo '91 or the split 12" with Enslaved '92, even if the lyrics were straightworfard satanist. So the new ideas on the lyrics fits them better than well. Anyway, if you know your bible and other unmentioned books, I can assure that the lyrics despite the mysticism are nothing but utterly satanist. Basically just wrapped up in a metaphorical form that everybody won't understand.

[@joaorafaeldossantos4891]

I recommend listening to the live version of Emperor's show at Wacken Open Air 2006 the tracks Inno A Satana, I Am The Black Wizard & With Strength I Burn which in my opinion is their best show and the song With Strength I Burn is one of my songs band favorites

[@MBlast666]

My new favorite YT channel ! I love the black metal related content!

[@v8cool231]

To me the best bands are like this. And Arcturus La Masquerade Infernale . You hear them. You don't instantly get it. But theres something there that makes you return to it..over and over, and the pieces start sticking together and start sticking in your head until you end up with this soundtrack to another time and world in your head. To me , these are some of the best types of Albums.

[@vladtepes9614]

Well said.

[@vaevictis_]

They’re like Kubrick films

[@MBlast666]

Emperor is arguably the best black metal band imo

[@nickfanzo]

Well yeah, the atmosphere is nuts

[@milosbudincevic715]

The production on this album is AMAZING! And the vocals being low in the mix is intentional. When you’ve listened to it enough, you are able to appreciate the wall of sound and the incredible production. Especially on vinyl. Also, I did not expect (totally guilty here!) you to be so knowledgeable! Great job! You rock! ❤ Ps - Recommendation for future listening from the Emperor catalogue: The tongue of fire, Curse you all men! or The acclamation of bonds.

[@berganssekk]

@ 22:40 No, the bootleg with Dead's corpse on it is "Dawn of the Black Hearts". It is a *bootleg* and not an official release, mind you. The surviving members of Mayhem hates that the picture was leaked and used, they would never sanction that, as Dead was their friend. I saw the bassist of Mayhem in an interview in recent years say that he gets angry when he sees fans parading around with that bootleg's cover on t-shirts and such. It is his friend's body, afterall.

[@biorythmicshifter]

The beauty of these songs really flourishes after a few more listens. It’s too dense to really absorb initially. The way this song builds and releases is pure compositional genius…

[@branndonbailey3644]

Emperor is the sickist black metal band to existence

[@ohshesays]

She accidentally hits the “this riff is nasty and disgusting, I love it” face perfectly.

[@LionMetalMusic-videochannel]

One of the best Black Metal albums !

[@LokiTricksterG]

One of the first black metal albums I listened to, and still my favorite black metal band to be honest. I just love the way the intro segues into "Ye Entrancemperium". I remember seeing some reviewers calling Emperor's style "a wall of sound" and that always seemed like a fitting description.

[@darkexecutorFOX]

Been to them not so long ago and it's a bombastic experience. It's just unreal how haunting and professionals they're playing live.

[@krytoderp6920]

Emperor is like one of the OG black metal band

[@pathofchaos786]

I'm looking forward to this reaction. You can't go wrong with Emperor.

[@libryttrs7881]

And this is exactly why you listen to black metal with your crew of boys

[@luisangelm.721]

My favorite Black Metal band

[@mikkolappalainen9916]

One of those rare perfect albums from start to finish.

[@renekraan8125]

You should have done more songs of the mighty Emperor. I guess you couldn't handle so much awesomeness.

[@mikem.7921]

Seeing your reaction made my day 😈👀

[@DominionCraft]

Emperor was one of the great bands in the 90s. love your toes btw on your instagram \m/

[@uncooked_ham]

I honestly can't believe that you haven't done more vids of their later albums! They absolutely rip!

[@Nekronatalenhet]

guys, i'm in love

[@Nique666]

The best opening to the best black metal album of all time

[@CybrAshley]

With strength, i burn! 💪 fyi, MayheM started the genre, fact.

[@nickfanzo]

BATHORY

[@okyanus97]

"Towards the pantheon" from The wacken 2006 concert is their best

[@haruncakroglu284]

YES! LOVE YOU KAIYA I AM COUNTİNG VİDEOS TO SEE MAYHEM YOU RE NOT TOO FAR FROM THEM

[@madmkt]

omg i remember all of us awaiting this album. ihsahn waiting for samoth to get free so they can record it. And it for sure did not disappoint. such an awesome album

[@stevekearton1420]

Saw Emperor in ‘99. Astoria London. Stupid good.

[@vrombo]

The King Diamond ref makes sense, back in the day KD helped me (KD big fan) so much to get into stuff like Death and Emperor…

[@beastrace81]

Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk is one of my all time favorite black metal albums. I've seen Emperor live twice and they were amazing both times. You should for sure listen to this album in full and also In The Nightside Eclipse. when you get a chance!

[@DennisTrovato]

Dissection next?

[@nickfanzo]

Thorns of crimson…DEATH!

[@thebiolithic]

I don't know how I missed this one, but watching now! Should be pretty good! (Ihsahn is a great songwriter, singer, player)

[@fokusfive3907]

So fun to watch your journey! I'm patiently waiting for you to discover songs from Swedish band Shining, or any blackmetal band from Trondheim label Terratur Possessions. Ie. Whoredom Rife or Bythos. 👏

[@nickfanzo]

Entire album is beautiful

[@Maya_Ruinz]

I remember as kid listening to this everyday for over a year nonstop and it honestly completely destroyed my ability to go back to tradiitional metal. The symphonic sound and orchestration of this album is just so incredible, its like taking a boat out into sea and never wanting to return.

[@eeetuman]

For me it wasn´t so easy to listen Emperor at first, but now It`s one of my all time fav bands of BM. Nightside Eclipse and Anthems are both great albums. And If you want to hear one of those godfathers of this genre, check out the Bathory. Blood fire Death or Under the Sign Of Black Mark, for example.

[@Jawshmetalpunk]

Euronymous is the one who was stabbed. The head photo was on Dawn of the Black Hearts.

[@harrihakala3884]

Last time I've seen Emperor was in Tuska festival 2007. There Ye Entrancemperium was the last song on the list (Inno a Satana as encore). I think they also played Al Svarth as an intro, though it's been more than 15 years, so I can't say for sure. Anyway, going to see them again in August on Hellsinki Metal Festival, if there are no any surprises :)

[@mikkolappalainen9916]

I was there too. My last festival ever. Emperor was the last band I had to see live so my festifal-era ended there. I was getting too old also😂

[@blackadder8691]

This album is an absolute masterpiece and every other symphonic bm band is trying to hit the bar this album set. Genius.

[@mikkolappalainen9916]

And nobody is ever going to hit that bar

[@Trollberg]

one of the best BM albums ever made- tru kvlt

[@Moonchilddbk]

Great vid Greetingzzz from Dubrovnik

[@agustincmichia8574]

Emperor, and 1349 are my favorite Black Metal bands

[@agustincmichia8574]

I forgot to add Dark Funeral

[@LG_7984]

The fact that you said King Diamond is actually quite impressive. On the follow up album, there are vocals that actually sound LIKE King Diamond. These guys were definitely fans.

[@MetalAtog]

Indeed. And lets not forget they had already covered "Gypsy" from Mercyful Fate and Ihsahn did a great job.

[@mightyravendark932]

There is so much I want to write here now, but I`m too drunk and I`m Swedish:) I just want to say I`m very glad You Kaiya enjoied my lifesource, namely Norwegian and Swedish BlackMetal. And Emperor are one of the most influential and importand band in my music career. I heard their demo back in the early 90`s and that was it. You have absolutely right about this records setup. Listen trough it and you will hear the beautiful beginning, the chaotic middle, and the beautiful ending. In my point of view I think their first record. "In the Nightside Eclipse" got their best songs. Imagine, they were just teenagers back then when they recorded it. It`s a fantastic album that made a new genre. "Symphonic Black Metal" Anyway. Thanx for a great reaction and keep on what Youre doing. Cheers from Sweden:) PS. Yes Eronymous from Mayhem was stabbed by Count Grishnackh. Faust. The original drummer of Emperor murdered a gay dude that tried to make a move on him by stabbing him to death, and the guitarrist Samoth were sent to jail back in the days when he like all the other blackmetal dudes set a church on fire:)

[@Ovium56]

Just saw Emperor for the first time ever last month. While they didn't play the Oath, they did play Ye Entrancemperium. It was an amazing experience for sure!

[@haruncakroglu284]

Kaiya that riff coming from Mayhem 1988 rehearsal you can find on the KZbin Euronymous playing that riff several times during the rehearsal. İ assume that emperor using that riff for the tribute to Euronymous.

[@bitcoin-nf3gw]

One of the best bands ever 👌💎💎💎

[@BornStubborn]

​Good evening Kaiya 🙂 You should check out the In the nightside eclipse album. Without doubt Emperor`s best album and a classic among norwegian black metal releases.

[@kevingary153]

Ihsahn changed me as a guitar player definitely as well.

[@darianlowe8450]

This album from the Kings is a beautiful chaos!

[@dissectyouslowly]

So is there gonna be a full length part 2 to this ?

[@ghar7578]

You didn't heard with strengh i burn??? come on!!!! that's a MUST!

[@Davescousemetal]

What inspired you to listen to metal In the first place? Where you surprised that you liked what you heard?

[@justinvermilyea7640]

Love ya kaiya 🤘😉😁❤️👍🙌😘

[@alexandreguyot987]

Saw them this year, incredible, you have to search for the garmonbozia in Rennes!

[@Salomon_G]

My favorite black metal album of all time. NGL, wish it was produced a little better, but I always took this sound has the vocalist trying to scream through the music like the music is a loud storm.

[@HumayunQureshi]

Great reaction! A great band; one that I haven’t been fortunate enough to see. And, yes; if the vocals don’t sound like they were recorded on a potato in their mum’s basement, is it even kvlt?

[@Metal_Vault]

Timeless album.

[@justinvermilyea7640]

I'm am absolutely loving your reaction kaiya ❤️🤘 I'm a huuuuuge emperor fan especially of this song it is soooo epic hyperspeed octopus hands 🤘👿🤘 😊 lol hails unholy queen of metal 🤘😈🤘

[@THEEArmoredSaint]

My son, nearly six, is named Elijah Ihsahn after the lead vocalist.

[@w-james9277]

You might like Bolt Thrower. Worth a go!

[@imaKaiya]

Got a Bolt Thrower reaction filmed and exporting now hehe. ;)

[@w-james9277]

@@imaKaiya Don't be too harsh on my fellow countrymen ;)

[@bussykitty340]

great !!!

[@Dimentius1]

America also should know about Satyricon - Dark Medieaval Times

[@meinflamme]

OOooooohh my good The reaction between 7:45 and 8:24 ahahahaaaaaa brilliant:)

[@shaunandnhung]

Emperor's 'In the Nightside Eclipse' was my introduction to the black metal genre, back in 1994. 'Anthems ...' blew my mind when it came out.

[@omarapaza1150]

Piece of art.

[@glasdale]

At 06;42 I see the flags and the weapons before the clash of 2 mighty armies

[@deamonazazel3254]

🤘🤘🤘

[@brainsmasher666]

I saw Emperor's first U.S. appearance in 1998. They were unbelievable although they were absent the synth player. This very moment in Emperor's finest moment is the best it gets for me. This is the pinnacle of black metal. It offers so much depth in its arrangement, orchestration, unbridled fury and intensity. I wish I could go back to my first moment with this record so it was a treat to see you embark on this album. Mind blowing, right?

[@kevingary153]

All Emperor is epic...I found them in 1998 with the Ep WRATH OF THE TYRANT...Ihsahn and Samoth are badass players....You'll find Dissection, Mayhem, The Project Hate MCMXCIX, Dark Funeral...I'm glad to see people still refer to black and death metal with relevance and a want to hear more.

[@marrow226]

Hell yes! Emperor? This will have been a bit different for you, hope you enjoyed it. I'm, uh, I'm the Black Wizards

[@armyoflight66]

❤❤❤

[@mikfraser3822]

First time listen to Emperor. And after Al Svartr at 17:14 ending with the words Jesus x) Made me laught. Good reaction

[@vilecomfort]

Emperor are a fantastic band, the soundscapes truly take you on a journey. It was a pleasure watching you react to the climax of Al Svartr into Ye Entranceperium... great stuff! I highly recommend listening to With Strength I Burn from the same Anthems album as the first 2 reviewed songs.

[@mattmarkowitz8894]

I think I made a negative comment a while ago but screw that, I have nothing but respect for you and what you're listening to..especially king diamond!

[@hellcorpses]

With strength i burn will impressed her

[@nickfanzo]

Yes both future and past impressions 😂

[@vincentfalcone9218]

Saw Emperor live on 70k and they are even better live than on record. With Strength I Burn is one of the greatest songs of all time, in any genre.

[@pepemolina88890]

sansa stark reviewing the metal good shit

[@Alexandros_78]

stop say wow you are disturbano the GODS

[@trumbell]

With Strength I Burn is a fucking banger

[@Kaos1989]

I am going to see emperor live for the first time come this summer with them promoting the anniversary of this cd. They barely tour any more and I cannot believe I am actually going to see this band from the 90's play in 2023. I also got to see Porcupine Tree last year when I thought they were done. All that is left is Pantera which I dont think is going to happen cause ticket prices are insane and Strapping Young Lad cause Devin is pretty much done with that band.

[@justinvermilyea7640]

Thank you unholy queen of metal 🤘

[@justinvermilyea7640]

Thank you for taking my suggestion to heart I love this band and ihsahn so much

[@annodomini1991]

Here's that Mayhem unreleased song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoLOdGV8iaZpnMU

[@sirsancti5504]

For me, it's "I am the Black Wizards"

[@Player85376]

17:38 - 17:47 I would not know black metal can be such hot