Ihsahn – Pharos

Label: Candlelight Records
Releasedate: 11-09-2020

Norwegian artist Ihsahn is releasing a new AP it is called “Pharos” and it is the follow up from “Telemark” which came out earlier this year and shows the heavier side of Ihsahn.

Five tracks where the focus is more on the progressive side whereas “Telemark” was more leaning towards the Black Metal. Yet, in “Pharos” there is enough intensity to be found. “Losing Altitude” starts so calmly but progresses during its playtime. It is followed up by “Spectre At The Feast” which is more lead by the vocals. Titletrack “Pharos” is a bit more sinister, it is dark and at first you don’t see where it leads you, but when done listening the whole EP you realize it fits quite well there in the middle of the tracklist.

The last two tracks on this release are covers. “Roads” (Portishead) is so well following it is previous track that it makes the click with “Pharos” stronger. Ihsahn did well in making this track fit in line with the concept for this EP.

Manhattan Skyline

But that being said, it is the last track that surprises us more. Aha’s “Manhattan Skyline” is a choice that some may not expect, but if you know how supportive that band is for the Norwegian musicscene you could see also that a track like this is chosen. But no matter the reason that they had for choosing it, the way it is executed is simply brilliant. Teaming with Einar of Leprous the vocals are done so perfectly. The first moments of the song are so calm and serene that they make me think of Tom Chaplin’s (Keane) voice. Then in combination with a heartfelt sound of Ihsahn himself accompanied by the guitars the whole builds to an emotional climax that grows over the effect of its original version.

So you can say that Ihsahn never disappoints, but that is selling him short. Every single time he brings on something new, expanding on a side that we have not seen taken that far before and with “Pharos” that happens again. Excellent release!

1. Losing Altitude
2. Spectre at the Feast
3. Pharos
4. Roads
5. Manhattan Skyline

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