Notodden, Norway: After triumphantly headlining the annual Wacken Open Air Festival and completing recent capacity performances in America, EMPEROR have announced two additional performances for 2006. Scheduled Saturday, October 7, EMPEROR will headline the fifth annual Motstoy Festival in the band’s hometown of Notodden. Formed in 2002 by local youth and supportive arts organizations, this year’s festival will also include appearances by RED HARVEST, MORTIIS, SHE SAID DESTROY and PAGAN’S MIND, among others.
“The Motstoy Festival is a non-profit organization situated in Notodden that my company Mnemosyne Productions has endorsed since its start in 2002,” says vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn. “As it is a no-alcohol arrangement with no age limit, it is a great opportunity for EMPEROR to play a local show and at the same time give younger fans a chance to see us live.” Ticket and sponsorship information can be found at the festival’s official site located at www.motstoy.com.
EMPEROR additionally confirm their return to England for an exclusive engagement at the famed London Astoria. Scheduled Saturday, October 28 the show will feature supporting performances from Candlelight Recording artist TO-MERA and Nocturnal Art Productions recording artist SHE SAID DESTROY.
“It’s great to finally come back to England with EMPEROR,” says Samoth. “England is where we first started out in the early 90’s; signing to Candlelight Records and heading out on our first real tour. We’ve always had a strong following in England, both press and fans, and we’ve built up a strong relationship throughout the years with the folks at Candlelight Records and Plastic Head, so it was a very obvious choice for us to return to the United Kingdom. All hail & see you soon!”
The recently announced EMPEROR guitar tablature book, Scattered Ashes: A Decade of Emperial Wrath, will see worldwide release in time for the London performance. The 132-page oversized book featuring foreword and transcriptions by Ihsahn will include original tabs for thirteen EMPEROR classics contained on the band’s 2003 compilation of the same name.