EMPEROR LYRICS

1. Curse You All Men

[Originally released in 1999 on the album "IX Equilibrium".]

[Music: Ihsahn, Samoth, Lyrics: Ihsahn]
[4:26]

["Curse You All Men"!]

Curse you, all men
Whose coil is strong.
I recognise the sparrows heart
Beneath the theatre of misery.
Disbelivers shalt by dawn
Be forced to forever mourn.

Curse you, all men
That resent my empire.
Cause I have risen again,
At war this time.

The truth I speak is your decease.
My word is your defeat.

And thou shalt not
Be able to hide anymore.
The prophecy will conquer at last
Your sense of reality.

With mission to kill,
The theatre of misery.

He has risen again,
Armed with the source of sin.
And as humans shalt fade,
He shalt inherit their strength.
Men of the damned,
You will reluctantly
Secure His eternal victory.

Curse you, all men
Whose coil is strong.
I recognise the sparrows heart
Beneath the theatre of misery.
Disbelivers shalt by dawn
Be forced to forever mourn.

The truth I speak is your decease.
My word is your defeat.

Yes, you are indeed the few.
I am the one.

2. Thus Spake The Nightspirit

[Originally released in 1997 on the album "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk".]

[Lyrics, music and arrangements: Ihsahn.]
[4:20]

[This next one is from Anthems. It's called "Thus Spake the Nightspirit".]

Close your eyes and gaze into
This realm that I reveal.
See where eternities are born.
Close your eyes, behold the powers
Of the broken seal.
See the liars bound in thorns.

Fear
And you shall fall.
Weakness suffocates your will.
Dare,
Yet never fail.
Wisdom guides the one,
The strong who can defy
Death.

[Guitar solo]

So I speak, though, am I heard...?
Wasting visions on a world of blinded fools.

Still I scorn
The vacant contradiction of life,
If only to bewilder.
The final truth shall speak my name.

Thus spake the nightspirit.

Nightspirit, spirit,
Spirit, embrace my soul.
[Repeat]

3. I Am The Black Wizards

[Originally released in 1994 on the album "In the Nightside Eclipse".]

[Music: Ihsahn and Samoth, Words: Mortiis.]
[5:23]

[You know this next song. I want you to really bang your heads on this this one. "I am the Black Wizards"! One, two, three, four...]

Mightiest am I,
But I am not alone in this cosmos of mine.
For the black hills consists of black souls,
Souls that already dies one thousand deaths.
Behind the stone walls (of centuries) they breed their black art.
Boiling their spells in cauldrons of black gold.

Far up in the mountains,
Where the rain fall not far,
Yet the Sun cannot reach.
The wizards, my servants,

Summon the souls of macrocosm.
No age will escape my wrath.
I travel through time and I return to the future.
I gather wisdom now lost.
I visit again the eternally ancient caves,
Before a mighty Emperor thereupon came.
Watching the mortals "discovering" my chronicles, guarded
By the old demons, even unknown to me.

Once destroyed their souls are being summoned
To my timeless prison of hate.
It is delightful to feast upon the screaming souls
That were destroyed in my future.

How many wizards that serve me with evil, I know not.
My empires has no limits.

From the never ending mountains black, to the bottomless lakes.
I am the ruler and has been for eternities long.
I am them.

(I am them.)
(I am them.)

From the never ending mountains black, to the bottomless lakes.
I am the ruler and has been for eternities long.
My wizards are many, but their essence is mine.
Forever they are in the hills in their stone homes of grief.
Because I am the spirit of their existence.
I am them.

I am them.
I am them.

4. An Elegy Of Icaros

[Originally released in 1999
On the album "IX Equilibrium".]

[Music: Ihsahn, Lyrics: Ihsahn]
[6:09]

[So, you guys heard the new Emperor album, "IX Equilibrium"? Here's another song from that one, called "An Elegy of Icaros".]

Icaros, I dare you.
For I possess the wings of faith.
Though, heavy on my shoulders,
No measurement can prove their weight.
Still, a burden are they not to me.
I am the challenger of gravity.

The fear is not the fate I seek.
My destiny will build upon
The mighty turbulence beyond.
And if I fall, I will rise... again.

Some of envy, some of fear,
Admonish by the graves of those who fell.
Praise the fool that pure of heart
Leaps off your finger into grace.

Icaros, your voice once melted
Into the choir of the fallen ones.

I have heard, I have seen
The purity of their song.

Icaros, Icaros.

Icaros, your fate embrace
A manifold of angels.
I summon thee from shattered graves,
And call upon the wind.
Recieve my bow of reverence.
Then spread your wings
And fly into oblivion.

5. With Strength I Burn

[Originally released in 1997 on the album "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk".]

[Lyrical concept: Ihsahn & Samoth.]
[Lyrics: Ihsahn, Music: Samoth & Ihsahn, Arrangements: Samoth & Ihsahn]
[7:36]

[Do you know the ones from "Anthems..."? Another headbanger. This one's called "With Strength I Burn"!]

Deep Green Dark Chaos.
Blinded I run down these paths.
By heart I know them.
They lead to the soaring cliffs.
Stout they stand above the water's edge,
Lifeless.

And this is my foundation:
Cold stone.
Formed only by winds and time.
How invulnerable,
Lifeless.

Ahh... I have longed to be at one with this
Yet, the waters call my name

For once I wish to see
The entity behind the voice.
The face of this seduction,
The beauty of my pain.

Am I blessed or am I cursed by thy presence?
What is my crime, what is my deed?
Is this life my redemption?
Shall I repent or proceed?

I hate my flesh.
Its dimension poisoned my soul with doubt.
It made me question
The essence of the "I".
Slaves are those of this world
Given freedom to lay chains upon The Master.
Master, master.

The wolf is no longer free.
Release the chains and come for me.

[The Elder:]
"Suddenly, his mournful cries were stunned. Out of the cold mist
Came three enthralling ships. Sails torn by many a storm, and the
Bows adorned by the most fierce gargoyles he'd ever laid eyes upon.
Yet, the crew they bore... Three times twelve in numbers. They stood
Motionless, wrapped in grey, worn gowns. And from behind their
Shadowed faces came the seductive chanting. Bidding him on board.
Without hesitation, he accepted. And away they sailed..."

Upon these seas,
Wherein I drowned so many times,
I scatter the ashes of destiny.
Still my flames are in hunger.
With fire in my heart
Shall I greet the shores ahead.
Though, I know not what will burn.

Desire...
Ahh...
In the distance
I hear the waves wash over solid ground.
And in this moment I am struck blind.

Grant me sight so I can see
That which lies ahead of me.
Cursed be my mortal eyes
For dying in the realm of Death.

Hear my call...

I return to the soaring cliffs.
They truly shine of strength.
Even though, I nothing learned.
With strength I burn...

[Guitar lead.]

6. Sworn

[Originally released in 1999 on the album "IX Equilibrium".]

[Music: Ihsahn, Samoth, Lyrics: Ihsahn]
[4:21]

[This next one is from "IX Equilibrium". It's called... "Sworn"!]

Four eyes as two in one.
The forward circular view that never ends.
An orbital voyage throughout this endless sphere of all
Where time is lost and everything transcends.

A graceful presence
At stolen time.

As ghosts to the world.
Ghosts to the world.
For ice, outside, are we apart?
As cold and eerie mist to the hand.
Ever floating on its course
Towards the heights of shadowland.

Thus appear the truly sworn.

To be seen,
To be feared,
Yet, not to be reached.

Four eyes as two in one. Thus appear the truly sworn.
As ghosts to the world. Thus appear the truly sworn.
For ice outside, are we apart? Thus appear the truly sworn.
Cold and eerie mist. Burning. Thus appear the truly sworn.

To be seen,
To be feared,
Yet, not to be reached.

Burning.

A graceful presence
At stolen time.

Thus appear the truly sworn.

7. Night Of The Graveless Souls

[Originally released in 1992 on the demo album "Wrath of the Tyrant".]

[Lyrics by Mortiis, Music by Ihsahn and Samoth]
[3:08]

[Ready for something older? Let Trym introduce this one to you.]

Night of the graveless souls.

When night comes creeping in,
Dark restless shades arise.
Graveless souls are gathering.
Seem to ignite the flame.

Stalking shadows reign the night,
As a merciless rain is closing upon.
Demons coming to sever the Sun,
Bring us the night of yore.

Darkness reigns in the Cosmos.
Forces of the Devil's lair
Give and take our life
To return to the smoking Hell.

A terrible blight declaring revenge
As a merciless rain is closing upon.
Demons coming to sever the Sun,
Bring us the night of yore.

Come on!

When night comes creeping in,
Dark restless shades arise.
Prepare to run for your life,
Or prepare to fade.

Night of the graveless souls.

8. Inno A Satana

[Originally released in 1994 on the album "In the Nightside Eclipse".]

[Music: Ihsahn and Samoth, Lyrics: Ihsahn]
[4:03]

[Come on, I know you know this one: "Inno a Satana"!]

O' mighty Lord of the Night. Master of beasts. Bringer of awe and derision.
Thou whose spirit lieth upon every act of oppression, hatred and strife.
Thou whose presence dwelleth in every shadow.
Thou who strengthen the power of every quietus.
Thou who sway every plague and storm.
Harkee.

Thou art the Emperor of Darkness.
Thou art the Emperor of Darkness.
Thou art the king of howling wolves.
Thou art the king of howling wolves.
Thou hath the power to force any light in wane.
Sans mercy. Sans compassion
Nor will to answer whosoever asketh the why.

Thy path is capricious but yet so wide.
With no such thing as an impediment to strong.

Every time thou consecrate me to another secret of Thine,
I take another step towards Thy Pantheon.

O' mighty Lord of the Night. Master of beasts. Bringer of awe and derision.
Thou whose spirit lieth upon every act of oppression, hatred and strife.
Thou whose presence dwelleth in every shadow.
Thou who strengthen the power of every quietus.
Thou who sway every plague and storm.
Harkee.

Thou art the Emperor of Darkness.
Thou art the Emperor of Darkness.
Thou art the king of howling wolves.
Thou art the king of howling wolves.
Thou hath the power to force any light in wane.
Sans mercy. Sans compassion
Nor will to answer whosoever asketh the why.

Forever wilt I bleed for Thee.
Forever wilt I praise Thy dreaded name.
Forever wilt I serve Thee.
Thou shalt shalt forever prevail.

Inno a Satana. Inno a Satana.
Inno a Satana. Inno a Satana.

Inno a Satana.

[Thank you, London, and good night.]

9. Ye Entrancemperium

[Originally released in 1997 on the album "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk".]

[Lyrics: Ihsahn, Music: Samoth & Ihsahn, Arrangements: Samoth & Ihsahn]
[Opening theme originally composed by Euronymous.]
[5:50]

["Ye Entrancemperium"...]

Drawn towards these lands again.
Seeking death and sacred soil.
I ride the longing winds of my blackened soul,
Growing stronger once I enter my empire beyond.

Emperium!
Behold my coming.

The fullmoon rise above me,
Enlightening my realm in a silvery glow.
Yet the shadows crawl beneath my storming sky,
Guarding treasures from forbidden light.

I still remember,
Though ages ago it seems,
The first time I entered the gates,
The revelation of ritual death
By which I became divine.
Sacrifice of the life I had
Among the flesh of the light.

And now I enter again.
Even stronger, yet amazed by what I see.
In ecstasy I mock the world.

Suddenly I memorize,
Asking what I left behind.
Nothing.

Can I ever comprehend?
Will my longing ever end?
Never.

Drawn towards these lands again.
Seeking death and sacred soil.
I ride the longing winds of my blackened soul
Eternally.

[Thank you, London, you've been great.]

10. Empty (Video Clip)

[Originally released in 2001 on the album "Prometheus - The Discipline of Fire and Demise".]
[Video clip.]
[Found on DVD version only.]

[Music: Ihsahn, Lyrics: Ihsahn]
[4:16]

He is an empty shell. Shell-shocked luciferian heart.
He is an empty shell. Drained and sealed.
He is an empty shell. Penetrating cold.
He is an empty shell. Empty luciferian soul.

How furiously and bombastic
He proclaimed his destruction of a mortal coil.
In the end it seemed
This was his only possession.

Long past were his "glorious" days
Of filth and lies.
And he has reached out to stop time
At its end.

He is an empty shell. Shell-shocked luciferian heart.
He is an empty shell. Drained and sealed.
He is an empty shell. Penetrating cold.
He is an empty shell. Empty luciferian soul.

The constant struggle for a moment of quiet indulgence
Eventually stirred and quaked the Earth so hard.
It swallowed him in a dark and heavy cloud,
Slowly and gently starving him into insanity.

An inferno of ice
With an ever-burning, bleeding heart.

11. The Loss And Curse Of Reverence (Video Clip)

[Originally released in 1997 on the album "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk".]
[Video clip.]
[Found on DVD version only.]

[Lyrics: Ihsahn, Music: Ihsahn & Samoth, Arrangements: Samoth & Ihsahn]
[6:09]

Memories of torment strikes me.
Attemps were made to suffocate me at birth.
Fools, I was already ancient.
Thou can not kill what breeds within Thee.

Alas, this agony, the emptiness of earthborn pride
Hath stirred my faithful heart which guided me to darker paths.
Far away from their pestilent ways
Cleansed was I from deceitful grace.

Yet, put to scorn was I
By those unclean.
Enslaved by ignorance
They blindly spat upon
The deity of hate.
Awake is the darkest fiend.

By the fallen one I shall arise.

Upon bewildered masses,
To whom the indulgence of my soul portray as sin made god,
I shall revile and quell the source
Whence mockery of my kind derive.

This I know: Facile shalt my quest not come to pass.
Deathwish be my gift to all at last.

Honour. Commended no longer as virtue.
Yet, shalt be extolled by light's demise.

By the fallen one I shall arise.

Arise.

[Guitar lead]

Believer,
Speak not to me of justice,
For none have I ever seen.
By God, I shall give as I receive.
Betrayer,
Speak not to me at all.
You and this world
Ripped my fucking heart out.

Again... again... and again...
Again... and again...







EMPEROR LYRICS