Ihsahn – Arkis

[schema type=”review” name=”Ihsahn – Arkis” description=”Label: Candlelight Records/Spinefarm Records” author=”Sabine van Gameren” pubdate=”2016-04-08″ ]Norwegian Ihsahn, who got his fame from Emperor, is already going strong with his solo career for many years and through the releases he becomes more and more a Progressive artist rather than solely Black Metal. “Arktis” is his sixth album and is out now.

With each release Ihsahn brings us a little surprise, the collaborations on this one are not unexpected, some regular guests are returning like for example Einar Solberg of Leprous, and Jurgen Munkeby from Shining. If you look at the album as a whole you could say he takes a step further from the previous releases again. A step of Progressive being such a main element, but Ihsahn never seem to step away from what makes him what he is. It is just a showcase of what else is there and this becomes more and more of a diverse range. There is much to discover. In “Pressure” he shows that good old sound of that Black Metal side of him, combined with daunting guitar riffs. The melodies taken you and then the cleaner vocals are making it to what is Ihsahn anno 2016.

Also remarkable is the song “Crooked Red Line” which has a jazzy intro by Jurgen’s saxophone. So calm and lounge-approved, but halfway the song it turns into a bit of a horror-lounge, to calm down again after that. Something you really did not expect to find in the release but yet so suitable. An example of how Ihsahn brings you things you did not think he would give you.

Have you been a fan of Emperor, you might be wondering if the master is stepping away from that, but it is all in there. It’s just wilder mix of music and this inventiveness shows why the master is the master. “Arktis” is taking it up even more after the many fine releases he already made, overgrowing himself once again. You can’t really find anything there that is not thought out with detail and care. Brilliant.

Tracklist: 01. Disassembled 02. Mass Darkness 03. My Heart Is Of The North 04. South Winds 05. In The Vaults 06. Until I Too Dissolve 07. Pressure 08. Frail 09. Crooked Red Line 10. Celestial Violence 11. Til Tor Ulven (Søppelsolen) (bonustrack)

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