Bård Faust

Bård Guldvik "Faust" Eithun is a Norwegian drummer, best known as the powerhouse behind the black metal band Emperor. Born in 1974, he became a defining figure in the early Norwegian black metal scene, his blast beats and raw energy shaping Emperor's classic albums. His career took a dark turn when he was convicted of murder in 1994, serving nine years in prison. Since his release in 2003, Faust has returned to the stage with Emperor, Djevel, and other projects, and in 2022 he won the Norwegian Spellemann Award in the Metal category with Djevel.

Today, Faust remains an active and controversial presence in the metal world. He continues to perform and record, with a highly anticipated Emperor reunion set for 2026. His Instagram offers fans a glimpse into his life as a married father of two, balancing his musical legacy with a quieter personal existence. Despite the weight of his past, Faust's drumming still commands respect, and his story remains one of the most complex in heavy music. [edit]

Bård Eithun grew up in Hedmark, Norway, a rural region that would later inform the cold, atmospheric darkness of his music. At sixteen, he moved to Lillehammer, a town that became the backdrop for his immersion into the underground metal scene. He was drawn to extreme music, occultism, and the anti-Christian sentiment that was brewing in the early Norwegian black metal circles.

His first band was Galgeberg, a local act that served as his entry point into the scene. Through these early connections, he met Ihsahn and Samoth, the core of what would become Emperor. Faust's skills on the drums quickly set him apart, and he was recruited to replace the band's original drummer. His early years were marked by a intense commitment to the music and a growing involvement in the darker elements of the scene, setting the stage for both his musical breakthroughs and his later legal troubles. [edit]

Faust's major breakthrough came with Emperor's debut album, In the Nightside Eclipse (1994), where his drumming became a blueprint for the genre. He also contributed to the follow-up, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (1995), before his incarceration halted his work with the band. While he was in prison, Emperor continued and eventually disbanded in 2001.

After his release in 2003, Faust picked up his sticks again. He played with the Swedish band Dissection, then moved on to Blood Tsunami, Aborym, and Scum. A key moment came in 2014 when he rejoined Emperor for their Wacken Open Air performance. In recent years, he has been a member of Djevel, alongside Gaahl, and the band's album Djevel won the Spellemann Award in 2022. Looking ahead, Faust is set to reunite with Emperor for the Beyond The Gates festival in 2026, and he has also contributed to an Infernalien cover of Impaled Nazarene's "We're Satan's Generation." [edit]

Faust's public image is a paradox. He is celebrated as a drumming pioneer in black metal, yet his conviction for murder casts a long shadow. In the metal community, opinions are divided. Some separate the art from the artist, while others condemn his actions. His support for Gaahl's coming out has added a layer of complexity, showing a man who can be both violent and supportive. He maintains a dedicated following on Instagram, where he posts about his bands and personal life, engaging with fans who appreciate his musical contributions despite the controversy. [edit]

Bård Faust's fanbase is inseparable from the broader Emperor and Norwegian black metal community. There is no formal fandom name; supporters are simply part of the global black metal underground, where he is hailed as a pioneering drummer and a controversial figure. Their engagement is channeled through Emperor's discography, reunion concerts, and online archives, with no dedicated fan clubs or organized campaigns. The community's reverence for his drumming is tempered by the knowledge of his criminal past, making fan interactions complex and often framed by discussions of art versus artist.

iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Bård Faust, but as of August 2026, he does not hold a placement in the published rankings, including the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This absence from the rankings reflects his niche status within the metal genre, despite his historical significance and continued activity with Emperor and Djevel. His fame remains substantial within the black metal scene, yet it does not translate into a global ranking according to iFANN's metrics.[edit]

Faust chose his stage name from the Goethe legend, a nod to the occult themes of the black metal scene. He served nine years of a fourteen-year sentence, reflecting Norway's rehabilitation-focused approach. His brief tenure with Dissection is often overlooked but marked his immediate post-prison work. Despite his past, he reportedly supported Gaahl when Gaahl came out as gay, a fact that has sparked much discussion. He is also an author, having written a book about his life and the scene.

One of the most retold stories involves his confession to Cradle of Filth's Dani Filth during a 1993 tour, which was initially dismissed as drunken boasting but later confirmed as the murder of Jan Erik Østli. This event is a cornerstone of black metal lore. Additionally, his involvement in the early 1990s church burnings, though not as directly convicted as others, remains a core part of his legend. More recently, his 2025 announcement of rejoining Emperor for the 2026 Beyond The Gates festival has reignited debates about redemption and legacy, marking a symbolic full-circle moment for the band.[edit]

Faust keeps his family life private, but his Instagram reveals that he is married and has two children. He often shares photos of his life at home, showing a side of him that contrasts with his on-stage persona. There is no public information about his spouse or the dates of his marriage, and he has not spoken extensively about his family in interviews. His children and wife remain out of the spotlight, and he seems to value that separation. [edit]

Faust's career is deeply tied to Emperor, where he worked closely with Ihsahn and Samoth. He also collaborates with Gaahl in Djevel, and his reunion with Mortiis for the 2026 festival is highly anticipated. Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth has spoken about Faust's confession, adding to the lore around him. [edit]

Faust's relationships have been largely private. He is currently married and has two children, as confirmed by his Instagram. There are no public records of previous marriages or high-profile relationships. His incarceration from 1994 to 2003 likely paused any romantic developments during that period. As of 2026, Faust is married, and his family life remains out of the public eye. [edit]

Faust's net worth is not publicly documented in detail. His income streams include royalties from Emperor's catalog, which has been reissued and remastered over the years, and earnings from touring with Emperor, Djevel, and other projects. Merchandise sales from his various bands also contribute. iFANN's editorial analysis currently estimates his net worth at $500 Thousand as of 2026, reflecting his niche status in the metal world. He has no known major business ventures or real estate holdings.[edit]

Faust won the Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy) in the Metal category in 2022 with the band Djevel for their album Djevel. This is his most notable award, recognizing his continued contributions to the genre. [edit]