2014 marks the twentieth anniversary of Emperor's "In the Nightside Eclipse," one of the most significant black metal albums in history and arguably one of the best metal records ever made. In accordance with this landmark release, Emperor has announced they will be performing a few select festival dates in 2014 with original drummer (and convicted murderer) Faust. For metal fans, this may be the most important reunion in a long time and with good reason, Emperor can finally be relevant and fresh again. Currently, black metal's top acts (Watain, Craft, etc.) represent the genre's shift from the Norwegian sound of the 90s to a more Swedish-esque sound influenced by bands like Dissection and proto-black metal acts like Celtic Frost. Emperor's sound isn't the current trend in black metal, and that makes this reunion all the more special and significant, the timing is perfect.
"I am the Black Wizards"
There will be no album, there will be no huge tour, there will just be Emperor celebrating a time when they were the standard bearers of their genre. Is this disappointing and possibly an opportunistic display? Perhaps, but if I could I'd be right up front banging my head for this one!
- Joe