Norwegian black metal pioneers Emperor have confirmed their return to North America in March and April 2026 for a 12-show headlining tour. The highly anticipated trek will feature cosmic death metallers Blood Incantation as very special guests.
The tour, which marks Emperor‘s return to the continent following a limited run of shows in the summer of 2023, is set to kick off on March 27 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and will conclude on the West Coast on April 12 in Los Angeles, California.
The band expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming dates, directly addressing their dedicated fanbase.
“Emperor hordes of North America! We are excited to return to Canada and the U.S. in March/ April 2026 with very special guests Blood Incantation,” Emperor commented in their official announcement.
Emperor‘s upcoming run is certain to excite fans who have tracked the band’s influential, though intermittent, career. Formed in 1991, Emperor set the standard for symphonic, melodic black metal with their game-changing 1995 debut, In The Nightside Eclipse. Their follow-up, 1997’s Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk, cemented their reputation as flagbearers of the genre and remains recognized as one of the most influential black metal albums ever recorded.
Following their split in 2001, the band has reunited periodically, most recently for a set of performances to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk.
Tickets for the tour will be available via local presale on Thursday, November 20, at 10:00 a.m. local time, with the general on-sale beginning Friday, November 21, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Emperor 2026 North American Tour Dates
With Blood Incantation:
- March 27 – Toronto, ON – The Concert Hall
- March 28 – Montreal, QC – M Telus
- March 29 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
- March 31 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Roxian
- April 01 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
- April 03 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
- April 04 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
- April 05 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
- April 07 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theater
- April 08 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
- April 10 – Austin, TX – Radio East
- April 12 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
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