Ihsahn - After (2010)
Norway's Vegard Sverre Tveitan, known more commonly by his alter ego Ihsahn, who rose to prominence with the seminal black metal band Emperor, has made a career of creating one genre defining album after another. After laying Emperor to rest in 2001, he took an extended break from extreme metal, focusing his energy on his more experimental band Peccatum as well as various guest appearances. In 2006 he returned under the solo name Ihsahn and released the critically acclaimed "The Adversary" and its 2008 follow up "angle". Both albums were spiritual continuations of his early work, yet with every song he sought to expand upon his signature sound. 2010's "After" sees his musical experimentation entering new and bizarre territory, and the combination of complex song structures and mind boggling musicianship amount to yet another masterpiece by one of metal's most important figures.
The album gets off to a notably different start than its predecessors, opting for a mid tempo number "Barren Lands" interlaced with more progressive leanings than heard to date. The black metal characteristics are still strong of course, and this is even more apparent with "A Grave Inversed," an absolutely punishing track, distinctive because of the unusual and in this case, completely psychotic application of the saxophone. The title track "After" is a mellow, moody piece that showcases the musician's evolution from his younger years, with soaring clean vocals being the focus around which a complex, and occasionally blistering track is built. Next comes the most accessible song on the album, "Frozen Lakes On Mars," a fairly typical black metal track more characteristic with Emperor than Ihshan's solo work, and while heavy, lacks the innovative feel the rest of the album has.
At the half way point, the listener encounters "Undercurrent," the first of the record's two ten minute epics, and it is a surprising change of pace. Where previous songs have alternated between heavy and mellow, or slow and brutal, this track embodies such a wide variety of moods and tempos it is difficult to grasp it all upon first listen. Like the title track, clean vocals are plenty, yet there is a huge range of experimentation with various vocal influxes. "Austere" is without a doubt the most significant departure, a slow, deeply melancholic piece that remains firmly entrenched in the more progressive style Ihshan has been experimenting with since Emperor's final album. He releases himself completely from his black metal roots and soars through pleasantly unique territory.
As we near the end, "Heaven's Black Sea" serves as yet another return to extremity, with an almost orchestral, soundtrack like structure, with shifting, strange, and unpredictable arrangements. The percussion conjures images of armies marching to war, guitars with tight, staccato riffing and frenetic solos, accompanied by a simply beautiful saxophone passage. The album ends with the second ten minute epic "On the Shores," a song that really embodies the future of Ihshan's work. The most appropriate word to describe this final track is mature. Like "A Grave Inversed," the real draw is that the main melody comes from the saxophone, with all other instruments forming themselves around where it leads. Unlike the aforementioned track, the melody is soothing and at times, astoundingly epic . A superb closing to an amazing album.
The production is, of course, top notch. Most instruments are clear and audible, with drums and guitars leading the charge. It goes without saying that Asgeir Mickelson is a beast, with some of the most technical, creative, and innovative percussion the genre has ever seen. One strong complaint that can be made is one that can be made of all of Ihshan's work, which is the distinctive lack of a strong bass guitar. With such impressive bass lines to work with, it is a shame that they always seem to be pushed too far to the background.
Ihsahn's work will continue to produce strongly divided criticism, some appreciating his desire to push boundaries, some wishing without end for a fifth Emperor album. Still others will continue to wish for both. Either way, few can deny the impressive feat that is "After," an album that is less of a culmination but an evolution of a truly unique artist.
The bottom line: Essential simply by virtue of the composer!
Songs to watch out for: A Grave Inversed, Undercurrent, On the Shores
