Emperor + Blood Incantation Exude Metal Excellence At The Fillmore
Photos by Joey D
Ah. Lovely. Twas a rainy, chilly, wet Friday in early April. But hey, better than snow. I’m obligated by Minnesota law to say that. Perfect weather to get my face melted off by Blood Incantation and Emperor. Trying to secure a legit spot, went a bit early since the Twins opener was also going on. After a tense ten minutes circling the streets, found a mighty choice spot two blocks from Fillmore. Score. Popped into Modist for a Teal Label IPA before heading over to the show. Just as I finished my pint, the rain started to do its thing. Rain. And not a wee spring sprinkle. Ooof.
Sludged and splashed my way over to the venue, not too bad of a line but any line is long when it’s pouring. Got in pretty quick alongside my fellow moist concertgoers and first cruised by the merch. Yowza. The line for Emperor was not only back to the stage but wrapped into a weird little snake into the front crowd area. No prices listed, either. Not the move I like to see, but it seems to be more and more commonplace. Most metal fans have very deep pockets when it comes to music and memorabilia, just do us the courtesy peep show of price before waiting to be disgruntled by it after a long merch cue. Blood Incantation was also there with merch of course, and with $50 t-shirts. Yes, five zero. Too rich for my blood, they were sick designs, too. Hard to walk away, but my cut-off is $45 for a tour shirt. Oh well.
Opening up the night would be Denver born Blood Incantation. A calming familiar scent filled the air as last minute adjustments were being made on stage before the band started. A small bit of incense was hanging out on the stage as first entertainer. Swirls of perfumed smoke danced and lifted into the house lights. Been a bit since I’ve seen a band do this and was a welcomed omen of what was to come. As the clock stuck 7:30pm, our journey began. Blood Incantation is one of those bands you can listen to over and over, their sound a cornucopia of what makes metal music special. Attention to detail and layering of sound to provide an atmosphere made from someone’s most pure expression. The variation of instruments, including a gong when it comes to Blood Incantation, is weighted purposefully with an Anubis touch of mindfulness and judgement. Observing and moving with the audience while floating between the two worlds as artist and entertainer.
The songs performed were almost all from their newest album from 2024 “Absolute Elsewhere.” The only exception was the closer, “Vitrification Of Blood Part 1” for a fantastic throwback from 2016’s debut studio album “Starspawn.” What a wonderful way to contrast and compare style and execution between the two very different directions. Hearing “The Stargate” triptych Tablet I, II, II followed by another triple threat, “The Message,” back to back was truly something special. The crowd was mesmerized, was hard to not fall under Blood Incantation’s spell. During the more heavy parts, a small pit did form for a little taste of boisterous release, but mostly was all about absorbing the music. Much head banging, of course, but didn’t need to dip and dodge too many crowd surfing legs during their set. Thankfully that was the case because it was impossibly hard to tear my gaze away from the stage. The hypnotic rhythmic lights adding to the magical ambience, an hour flew by. Could have listened to a three hour set of theirs. 11/10.
Royalty has arrived. Time for Emperor. These Norwegian fellows have been around a while, though not without some bumps along the way. They have broken up and reunited three times over the past few decades. Didn’t know if I would ever get the chance to see them perform live. Thankfully their last unification in 2016 seems to be sticking.
It was a pleasant surprise to receive a formal introduction to the band before they arrived on stage. Coming all the way across the pond after so many years, stating “Emperor from Denmark-Norway” was set to play was surreal (had to look it up, according to the ol’ internet, ‘Denmark–Norway was a 16th-to-19th-century multi-national and multi-lingual real union consisting of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Norway, the Duchy of Schleswig, and the Duchy of Holstein.’ Interesting, didn’t know they preferred that over being called Norwegian. Neat.) Was recently looking at old videos of performances by Emperor in the late 90s, and wow, they have not lost a step.
“Into The Infinity Of Thoughts” opened up the set with epic fervor. Hearing Ihsahn’s brutally beautiful vocals was something else. Haunting and heating, he brings the words to life in a way few can. And every during every song. All members seemed to be fully engaged, playing seamlessly with each other. Witnessing Samoth’s excellence on guitar will be one of my highlights of the year. That type of talent is not rare in Emperor, drummer Trym leaves strong and fast in the dust as he explodes with passion and precision with each strike. Tony "Secthdamon" Ingebrigtsen was slapping that bass like nobody’s business, keeping a heavy but fast fingered hand on it throughout. Was up near the speakers in front, so can assure you of its prevalent prowess. Qualilty keyboard is a ubiquitous but often underlooked backbone in sound for most bands, Jørgen MunkebyI leaps out of the shadows and makes it a relished point. He also had a camera to snap some candids of the audience with a smile while not missing a step. Got my Easter treat a few days early, it was a decadent experience seeing every member shine.
Still can’t believe they went for a solid hour and a half at that vigorous energy level. A very comprehensive setlist of 13 songs covering five albums. “Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk” holding the lion’s share with 5 songs performed, Emperor closed out the night with “Ye Entrancemperium” to the audience’s jubilant cheers.
Thankfully Minneapolis was included on their whirlwind three week US tour. After years of wishing and dwindling hope of ever seeing them live in Minnesota, Emperor shook the Twin Cities with the force and black metal blood that has been flowing inside of them since inception.
