12 December 2024

Ihsahn – Das Seelenbrechen

Releasedate: 29-10-2013; Label: Candlelight Records
By: Sabine van Gameren

Norwegian Ihsahn, who got his fame from Emperor, is already going strong with his solo career for many years. When this new release got announced by him we were promised something unique. Let’s see what we get from him as “Das Seelenbrechen” is out now.

The last albums were drawn more and more into the Prog side and yet again you can find the album in this direction. Though it seems like Ihsahn has been exploring the bounderies of whatever he have done before again to kick them away a little further. Here and there some exciting steps are taken. Drummer Tobias Ørnes Andersen is working together on this release next to Ihsahn and that he is a little drummer mastermind becomes clear. With his work he fills up the whole compositions wherever Ihsahn lets him. Exciting and tension building moments are created and are really an extra dimension of the sound.

Ihsahn is inspired by avant-garde artists and with the songs that you can find on the second half of his release it seems that he wants to build a bridge between that avant-garde, the sound that is not very open and easy for every listener towards a more approachable sound. He can therefore introduce a lot of his fans to a different sort of music who would perhaps not have gone there otherwise. A smart move and leaves you think of what direction will Ihsahn go to in the future. The man seems full surprises so you never know and for now there is not really a need to think of that right now as “Das Seelenbrechen” gives you plenty material that will keep you listening for quite a while. Do yourself a pleasure and put that on your Christmas wishlist if you have not bought it already!

Line up:
Ihsahn – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboard
Tobias Ørnes Andersen – Drums

Tracklist:
01. Hiber
02. Regen
03. NaCl
04. Pulse
05. Tacit 2
06. Tacit
07. Rec
08. M
09. Sub Alter
10. See

Links:
Ihsahn Facebook