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October 12, 2008 |
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01. Invocation
02. Called By The Fire
03. Citizen
04. Homecoming
05. Astera Ton Proinon
06. Panem Et Circenses
07. And He Shall Walk In Empty Places
08. Will You Love Me Now?
09. The Pain Is Still Mine
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For all intents and purposes, this - the first self-titled solo release by Ihsahn of ex-EMPEROR fame - IHSAHN's "The Adversary", is to my ears essentially the lost piece of the heretofore incomplete musical puzzle that was EMPEROR; the lost chapter. The lost and now found answer to the riddle of a musical legacy matched by few if any within the darkened circle of Black Metal's sorcerous elite.
At the same time, however, despite the obvious and predictable EMPEROR comparatives, the fact also remains that the work presented on IHSAHN's "The Adversary" is also reflective of a man who has undergone significant personal and musical evolution since his days as frontman of arguably the most creatively adventurous and diverse Black Metal entity of the '90s and early new millennium. If anything, IHSAHN encapsulates a very finalized synthesis and crystallization of all of the many disparate elements that Ihsahn the man/songwriter/musician has been able to call his own in conjunction with yet newer, and ever more subtly effective fresh influences and innovations which hopefully marks the beginning of an ongoing solo career which will take the man's explorations of Metallic expression even further.
Eccentric and indulgent to be sure, "The Adversary" is a heady mix of "Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire ... "-era EMPERORish Black Metal, "Traditional" old-school-style Heavy Metal, obscure Proggisms, and even moments of neo-classicist symphonics ala PECCATUM. Quite the disparate musical sorcerer's spell indeed! But nevertheless it does work, and work well to boot. Lush and melodic, Ihsahn (who it should be noted plays everything on this, with the exception of the drumming which is handled by Asgeir Mickelson of BORKNAGAR, and SPIRAL ARCHITECT amongst others) has really hit a creative peak here which while perhaps not destined to make the impact that his tenure with the groundbreaking EMPEROR once did, certainly eclipses his more recent PECCATUM project in terms of cerebral intensity and vitality. Symphonic and Progressive, the music on "The Adversary" also offers more than enough raw, visceral Black Metal aggression to add liberal "crunch" and drive to tracks already rife with melodic hook and memorable riffs. An excellent production job only further serves in delivering a final piece of work which is both epic and grand in scope and direction and also forward-thinking and very modern sounding in execution and expression.
Opener "Invocation" brings the album to stormy life, marked by a maelstrom of thunderous riffs, lightning-sharp, serpentine leadwork, and of course the pummeling percussive attack of Mickelson whose work shines throughout the duration of this recording. Vocally I don't think Ihsahn himself has ever been better, here achieving a mix of guttural, yet very clear vocal phrasings intermixed with a soaring, clean range very evocative of none other than King Diamond himself from his MERCYFUL FATE days. It adds whole new layers and dimensions to many of the tracks here. "Called By Fire" is an incredibly hooky, symphonic piece containing almost glory-days-Bay-Area-Thrash riffage, one of the more awe-inspiringly heroic vocal performances on the album, and again…just a gorgeous, gorgeous collection of leads. "Citizen" is perhaps the most obvious homage to classic EMPEROR with its dissonant keyboards, blistering riffs, and caustic vocal attack. Other fast-paced, symphonic Black Metal masterpieces would have to include "And He Shall Walk In Empty Places", and the odd-title-for-a-Black-Metal-track "Will You Love Me Now?". Other highlights include the dark, hauntingly Proggy "Homecoming", as well as the ethereal "Panem Et Circenses". Overall though, as a whole piece in its entirety this album shines like a highly polished black opal from beginning to end.
In conclusion, IHSAHN's "The Adversary" serves as not only the cap to a catalogue that needs not ask for any quarter, but also as the beginning of a whole new chapter in the career of an artist whose personal mission statement has always been about expanding the borders of what he could achieve with music. In terms of a pure, and uncontaminated Metal expression, Ihsahn has triumphed in spades here by once again offering only the best. At this point he may feel content in knowing that the darkened road before him is open and leading in whichever direction he may choose to take. Based solely upon what I hear on "The Adversary", I more than look forward to joining him on the journey.
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