Ihsahn – Telemark

Label: Spinefarm Records
Releasedate: 14-02-2020

Ihsahn has been known for Emperor once, but after so many solo releases it is as much a thing of his own now to have that spot in fame. His music has become proggier through the years. Anno 2020 he comes with an EP called “Telemark” where he says to look back towards the Black Metal history of him as well. It is available now.

Ihsahn is an artist that surprises me for doing his own thing, creating bridges between genres and make you look beyond the stereotypes. Into genres you usually don’t feel too much at home and combine that with what you liked about his work before. Or finding a bunch of elements that are apart from each other and make them connect. “Telemark” is exactly that. It swings and it is metal.
I am in a smokey jazz club, listening to Black Metal talking about how Rock and Roll is not dead. And it suits perfectly. The kind of wizardry only this man could perform.

Where “Stridig” is the opener that you would expect from Ihsahn in his earlier releases but when title track “Telemark”you can feel yourself slowly rolling towards a bit different feel. Prog with an interesting atmosphere. Worldly feel so to say. But don’t be mistaken, the whole reigns heavily over you. The suble saxophone in there is giving you that bridge towards “Rock And Roll Is Dead”, which is indeed a cover. Danceable, flirty and yet not losing touch with the Ihsahn touch at all. Sexy moments are awaiting you live, we imagine. Continuing after it with “Wrathless” seems like a seamless transition.

From the last couple release Ihsahn did this “Telemark” one is the one that surprised me most. The man never seems to stop experimenting with different styles and follows what he feels like is best. The result speaks for it. Certainly worth a try, it will be listened quite a bit more here at Tempelores. That we can guarantee!

1. Stridig
2. Nord
3. Telemark
4. Rock And Roll Is Dead (Lenny Kravitz-cover)
5. Wrathchild (Iron Maiden-cover)

Links:

Facebook