Akumu
Look at the tree.
You're the first person I know that has said they liked the new PoS. I love the band and will probably pick it up at some point, but I'm very hesitant due to what people have been saying. Totally forgot about the Ihsahn disc. Need to give that one more plays.
Honestly, PoS' most favored releases don't do much for me, but I really dig the psychedelic/stoner rock direction they've taken here. Just don't go into it expecting prog metal.
I picked it up at PP, and since it's the only CD in my car, it got play on the multi-hour drive, and I've listened to it a few more times. Still can't really get into it. I mean, it's decent, but nothing that's grabbed me. It's sort of in that category now where I might not listen to it again for years to come. Same with the last album. I guess Kamelot is probably dropping off my blind buy list. Sad.
It was definitely a grower for me - I only liked about half the tracks on my first listen, but by the third or fourth I fell in love with the whole thing. I think it's much more solid than Ghost Opera was, and they did a really good job with the guest appearances - Jon Oliva and Simone sound amazing, and I was quite surprised by how much I liked Strid's contribution on "The Great Pandemonium." They did turn the dark knob up a lot, though, and I can see how that wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.