Country: Norway
Music: Black Metal/Progressive
Cool Songs: On the Shores, Heavens Black Sea, The Barren Lands, After
Web site: http://www.ihsahn.com/
Legendary black metal artist, Ihsahn completes an unholy hat trick with his third solo album After. The former EMPEROR front man continues to expand his musical progressive metal palette, while maintaining the black metal foundation that made him such a groundbreaking artist.
Once again, Ihsahn handles all vocals, keyboards and guitar. Ex-BORKNAGAR drummer Asgeir Mickelson provides a constant behind the brass-and-skin kit, while Mickelsons SPIRAL ARCHITECT band mate Lars. K. Norberg again takes up the bass.
Whether newfound musical styles or guest voice performances by such Scandinavian luminaries such as Garm (ULVER, ex-ARCTURUS) and Mikael Ĺkerfeldt of OPETH, Ihsahn always seems to be hiding a wild card up his black-robed sleeve.
On After, this surprise comes in the form of SHINING saxophone player Jorgen Munkeby. Munkeby adds another layer to the Ihsahns multi-threaded atmosphere.
Munkebys sax playing takes a couple of spins to get used to because the saxophone isnt exactly standard metal attire, especially in the realm of black metal (except for SIGH). Subsequent listens, though, reveal another facet to the somber melodies the band creates.
IHSAHN deconstructs the action on tracks such as the title track and On the Shores, clearing a path for Munkebys bluesy notes. On faster tracks such as A Grave Inversed, Munkebys coarse squeals and fast finger work are of the sort created by John Zorn of MR. BUNGLE and PAINKILLER.
Another surprise comes by way of Ihsahn using an eight-string guitar. His use of this instrument allows for a greater range of tones. On the Shores shows Ihsahn creating deep guitar tones, which brings to mind the modern metal sounds of bands such as DIVINE HERESY and MESHUGGAH.
In addition, the extra strings works well with the multiple layers of guitar, again bringing another level to the atmosphere on the album. Ihsahn further shows his maturity has a guitar solo player, too.
All the musicians involved with After work together well, and the ISAHN group continues to mature and expand the definition of their sound. Whether as a guitarist, keyboard player, vocalist or songwriter, Ihsahn once again proves his worth as one of metals great composers.
Readers who havent forsaken Ihsahn through his various transformations should, without a doubt, pick up a copy of After.
While After is another piece of dark, delectable metal, the lack of speed and exclusion of Norwegian vocal luminaries such as Garm results in the album just falling short of the mark achieved on his first two recordings.
note: 8.5/10
Tracklist
1. The Barren Lands
2. A Grave Inversed
3. After
4. Frozen Lakes On Mars
5. Undercurrent
6. Austere
7. Heavens Black Sea
8. On the Shores
Total playing time: 53:01
Line-up
Ihsahn – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Asgeir Mickelson – Drums
Lars Koppang Norberg – Bass
Jorgen Munkeby – Saxophone
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