Ihsahn - After

January 13, 2010

Reviewer: Deathstalker

After a short break from his previous output, Ihsahn returns to the metal stage with a compelling and challenging release.  His third solo effort, After, is the former Emperor front man's most complete album to date.  With this release it seems Ihsahn has crafted an album that comes off as an album written for him and his tastes.  Since we have now had the better part of a decade to get over the break up of Emperor, it no longer seems Ihashn is under the shadow of his former band.  With the release of After it’s safe to say Ihsahn is his own man on the top of his game.

For those unfamiliar with Ihsahn, his solo project plays progressive blackened metal.  While there are plenty of blasting drums and brutal riffs, you will also hear odd meters, accented wonderfully by the drumming of Asgeir Mickelson (Borknagar, Vintersorg).  Within the album, one also comes across majestic, sweeping clean passages that sometimes feel influenced by spacey 70's rock bands.  In short, Ihsahn continually keeps the listener engaged, be it be through complexity or through hypnosis.

Upon the conclusion of  the engaging opening track “The Barren Lands”, we come to “A Grave Inversed”.  This second song is where Ihsahn may lose some of his more fickle fan base.  Jorgen Munkeby provides saxophone on a handful of tracks on After and his inclusion on this song may cause some to scratch their heads after the first listen.  Jorgen is wonderfully skilled at his instrument, and while it may take some time to grow on you, the use of the saxophone isn't a distraction but more of a flavor in a dish that enhances your experience, while you can't quite figure out what exactly the spice is.  After about the fifth listen the sax becomes just another instrument on an overall wonderful album.

The entire album is a solid effort from front to back, but I feel that unlike with a lot of other releases, the middle tracks are the best parts.  The highlight of the album is “Undercurrent”.  While not a slow track and not a blazing number, “Undercurrent” showcases all of the best aspects of the album: fantastic vocal harmonies, infectious riffs and a haunting atmosphere.  Clocking in at ten minutes, the song has a lot to say and upon this review it still feels like it has tons more left to say with further listens.  “Undercurrent” is followed by the beautiful “Austere”.  In here you will find some very nice fretless bass lines that intertwine with nicely textured hammond organs, acoustic guitars and vocal melodies before it picks up a bit just to take you down safely again at the end.

After is a unique album in the Ihsahn catalog, as where the first two previous offerings were well-executed and well-written, they lacked a bit of the cohesiveness that made me want to reach back to them more than a few times a year.  After, however, is a beginning-to-end great release that keeps you captivated throughout due to its various composing styles, risk taking and overall attitude.  Highly recommended to all fans of extreme metal that want a challenging listen.

Release Date: January 26th, 2010
Label: Candlelight Records

TRACK LISTING

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

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