2024-02-12 08:32:00
Ihsahn
(Post-Black Metal | Progressive Metal | Soundtrack)
Label: Candlelight Records
Format: (EP)
Release: 16.02.2024
The black metal legend who can no longer be described as this – at least as far as his solo work is concerned – Vegard Sverre Tveitan aka IHSAHN is back! The once and once more EMPEROR Fronter has long been known for approaching his work in a different way than the black metal flagship, which he has repeatedly shelved, but has at least been performing live once more since 2016. Instead of classic black metal, the progressive side reigns supreme on his self-titled new work, but the likeable Norwegian cannot and does not want to completely forget his roots.
“Ihsan” is not just an album, but rather an ambitious project that is released in two versions. The metal version, which I will primarily cover here, but also an “orchestral version”. But be careful, that doesn’t mean that the “Metal Version” isn’t also bombastic, majestic and packed. Quite the opposite, because IHSAHN is pulling out all sorts of guns here.
Immediately surprising is the intro “Cervus Venator”, which resembles a Hollywood soundtrack and might easily play in the background during a James Bond film. This is also the case with the two other instrumentals that appear over the course of the album. But first we continue with “The Promethean Spark”, a dynamic prog banger with the master’s unmistakable harsh vocals and cool rhythms from the ex-LEPROUS Drummer. But in addition to these elements and strong riffs, there is also a lot going on in the background in terms of orchestration. Here too, the aforementioned film factory of the 80s and 90s comes to mind. Despite a certain dramaturgy hecticness, the whole thing is easy on the ear, especially because of the clean vocal parts in the chorus.
As the album progresses, one would think that Black Metal has roots in the brand’s playful and virtuosic (instrumental) excursions DREAM THEATER Meet icons like Danny Elfman (The Ghosts I Called, Nightmare Before Christmas), John Carpenter (The Thing, Halloween) and John Williams (Star Wars, Harry Potter) on the soundtrack. And somehow the creative Norwegian manages to bring everything together in a homogeneous manner. Afterwards, on “Pilgramage To OblivioN” there are fast strumming riffs, fat blast beats and violent screams, but also opulent orchestration SEPTICFLESH might have been presented in a similar form. “Twice Born” then goes one step further in terms of drama and intensity, before he slows down the pace with “A Taste Of The Ambrosia” but still keeps the dramaturgy high.
There are hardly any real breaks on “Ihsahn”, because even the quieter numbers need the listener’s full attention because so much is happening in the tracks. If the whole thing demands a bit too much for you, you might simply mix this album with the orchestral version, because there the songs are available in pure soundtrack form. The piano and orchestra set the tone here, so of course there was no room for the drums and guitars as well as the vocals. This creates completely new worlds, even though the original songs are of course the same.
I might now rave even further and praise and highlight the remaining masterpieces in detail, but that would absolutely not do this work of art of an album justice. Fans buy blind anyway, black metal fans with the courage to try new things listen to the sample and also progressive metal fans with a penchant for extremes will definitely have a lot of fun here!
Tracklist „Fascination Street Sessions“:
1. I Physically Like You
2. Madhouse
3. Rock To Outer Space
4. Black Soul
5. Criminal
6. The End
7. Pulling
8. Lederhosen Vverkill
9. Masterpiece Of A Monster
10. U.f.i.u.
11. I Can’t Control It
Total playing time:
Band-Links:
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