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"Ihsahn is back with the most ambitious album of his career, demonstrating once again the full extent of his talent."
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5/5
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To say that Ihsahn's eighth album has been a long time coming is an understatement. The Norwegian may have kept us waiting with some excellent EPs, but six years have passed since "Amr", without the reason for such a long wait really being explained to the fans, impatient to finally see one of the most creative artists on the metal scene return to the forefront. Listening to this new album, simply titled "Ihsahn", is an implacable answer to their questions, because the pope of black metal is back in force with the most ambitious concept album of his long career, all projects combined.
True to his aesthetic bias, Ihsahn continues his exploration of metal enriched by sounds that are at first glance outside the genre. After the saxophone on "After", the Moog on "Arktis" and the synthesizers on "Amr", it's now the turn of a full symphony orchestra to complete Vegard Sverre Tveitan's musical palette. But this time, the specifications are very different, as the Norwegian first composed for orchestra before turning the tracks into a dozen metal nuggets, each more interesting than the last.
The new album comes in two different versions: one purely instrumental and symphonic, the other clearly metal and progressive. If the first can be listened to like the soundtrack of a blockbuster film, and is only of interest to demonstrate the extent to which Ihsahn has nothing to envy the greatest film composers, the second, on the other hand, is a monumental slap in the face for any fan of epic, symphonic metal, stripped of all the clichés of the genre for once.
Firmly established on a black metal foundation that the founder of Emperor would never disavow ('Pilgrimage To Oblivion', 'The Promethean Spark'), Ihsahn's music takes on a particularly majestic scope when supported by the power of an orchestra. As usual, the Norwegian blows hot and cold, alternating between tracks with ominous atmospheres ('Blood Trails To Love'), dark verses with saturated vocals, luminous choruses with clear vocals and grandiose melodies ('A Taste Of The Ambrosia'). But it is above all the more progressive aspect of his music that is particularly enhanced by the orchestral arrangements, as on 'Hubris And Blue Devils' and 'At The Heart Of All Things Broken', veritable jewels of intelligence and symphonic power.
With this new album, Ihsahn once again demonstrates the full extent of his talent. A talent that makes no compromise with current fashions and trends. Less accessible than its predecessor, "Ihsahn" reveals its genius after several careful listens from start to finish. This album took its creator three years to make, and it was well worth the effort, because beyond the challenge that such an undertaking represents, it reveals what great artists are capable of doing when they retain full artistic freedom and don't sacrifice their creativity on the altar of sterile conformism. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Cervus Venator
02. The Promethean Spark
03. Pilgrimage To Oblivion
04. Twice Born
05. A Taste Of The Ambrosia
06. Anima Extraneae
07. Blood Trails To Love
08. Hubris And Blue Devils
09. The Distance Between Us
10. At The Heart Of All Things Broken
11. Sonata Profana
LINEUP:
Angell Solberg Tveitan: Batterie
Chris Baum: Violons
Ihsahn: Chant / Guitares / Claviers
Tobias Ørnes Andersen: Batterie
Tobias Solbakk: Batterie
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(0) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
4/5 (3 view(s))
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STAFF:
4.3/5 (3 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH IHSAHN
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT IHSAHN
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