Search - Ihsahn :: After

Track Listings (8) - Disc #1
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

Search Of A New Dawn is widely regarded as the peak of the band's recorded history. Their electic mixing of space rock with raga-like arrangements and trance rhythms is hypnotic yet highly inspirational and complex. Formed... more » in 1980 the band continues to record and perform. This album is a unique glimpse into the musical world of these highly inventive and talented musicians. A strange hybrid of full on Van Der Graaf Generator tracks and some curious instrumental tracks by Jackson: Banton & Evans, it is a challenging and though provoking collection of material circa 1972-1975. After is the third solo effort from former Emperor vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn. Recorded during the first half of 2009, After completes the musician's planned trilogy of initial recordings. The album showcases the Norwegian icon with drummer Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect), bassist Lars K. Norberg (Spiral Architect), & saxophonist Jorgen Munkeby (Shining). "This is my first album written with 8-string guitars as basis which has been both challenging and inspiring," he comments when discussing the creative process. "I also decided early on that I wanted to mix this album with Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia) and recorded the album with that in mind. Asgeir and Lars have again delivered superb performances. I've always wanted to implement the saxophone in my music; Jorgen's contributions truly added a silver lining to the album." Again working at his own Symphonique Studio, with additional work at Toproom Studio (co-engineered by Borge Finstad), After was meticulously laid out over an eight month period. The intensity of the project has more than paid off with early listenings already proclaiming it to be the most poignant creations of his solo efforts. Spellemann (Norwegian Grammy) Award Nominee Ihsahn (born Vegard Tveitan) began playing music at a very early age. As a teenager, his friendship with Tomas Haugen (a.k.a. Samoth) would trigger the start of his music career - one that to date includes over fifty individual recordings, five high-profile Emperor European tours (the band reaching US shores on only three occasions) and the respect of fans and peers worldwide. In mid-2009, Ihsahn gave his first live performance selecting material from his first two solo albums; the performance in Oslo supporting Opeth. Early discussions in regards to After are indicating more live activities but where and when currently remains a secret.

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CD Details

All Artists: Ihsahn
Title: After
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Candlelight
Original Release Date: 1/1/2010
Re-Release Date: 1/26/2010
Genres: Pop, Rock
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 803341304826

Synopsis

Album Description

Search Of A New Dawn is widely regarded as the peak of the band's recorded history. Their electic mixing of space rock with raga-like arrangements and trance rhythms is hypnotic yet highly inspirational and complex. Formed in 1980 the band continues to record and perform. This album is a unique glimpse into the musical world of these highly inventive and talented musicians. A strange hybrid of full on Van Der Graaf Generator tracks and some curious instrumental tracks by Jackson: Banton & Evans, it is a challenging and though provoking collection of material circa 1972-1975. After is the third solo effort from former Emperor vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn. Recorded during the first half of 2009, After completes the musician's planned trilogy of initial recordings. The album showcases the Norwegian icon with drummer Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect), bassist Lars K. Norberg (Spiral Architect), & saxophonist Jorgen Munkeby (Shining). "This is my first album written with 8-string guitars as basis which has been both challenging and inspiring," he comments when discussing the creative process. "I also decided early on that I wanted to mix this album with Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia) and recorded the album with that in mind. Asgeir and Lars have again delivered superb performances. I've always wanted to implement the saxophone in my music; Jorgen's contributions truly added a silver lining to the album." Again working at his own Symphonique Studio, with additional work at Toproom Studio (co-engineered by Borge Finstad), After was meticulously laid out over an eight month period. The intensity of the project has more than paid off with early listenings already proclaiming it to be the most poignant creations of his solo efforts. Spellemann (Norwegian Grammy) Award Nominee Ihsahn (born Vegard Tveitan) began playing music at a very early age. As a teenager, his friendship with Tomas Haugen (a.k.a. Samoth) would trigger the start of his music career - one that to date includes over fifty individual recordings, five high-profile Emperor European tours (the band reaching US shores on only three occasions) and the respect of fans and peers worldwide. In mid-2009, Ihsahn gave his first live performance selecting material from his first two solo albums; the performance in Oslo supporting Opeth. Early discussions in regards to After are indicating more live activities but where and when currently remains a secret.

CD Reviews

This is FANTASTIC!

Christopher L. Brunner | fort bragg, NC United States | 02/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
I've have owned everything from Ihsahn I could get my hands on. After hearing a promo for the song "The Loss and Curse of Reverence" in the nineties, I was hooked beyond belief. Though I was disappointed by the end of Emperor, I was satisfied with the output of Peccatum. They got better and better with every release; but then they stopped. However, Ihsahn's "Adversary" came out, I was happy to see him continue to develop his amazing craft. I was not too in love with his first release. Though the tracks were great, they were just too fast. The emotional intensity was lost in most of the songs. By the second release, "Angl"; the emotions were back-and I really liked it- but few of the songs were memorable. It was like he just slowed down the first release. Finally, with the release of "After", he has crafted of masterpiece of emotional dark, progressive metal. I can hear alittle Emperor, alittle Peccatum, and alot of genius. The stand out tracks "the barren lands", "after", and "frozen lakes on mars" are worth the price of the cd alone.

BUY THIS! SUPPORT GOOD, ORIGINAL MUSIC!"

Great way to kick off the new year!

avgvstvs | Omaha NE | 02/01/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ihsahn's been one of those artists I've known about for a long time--I'm familiar with Emperor and was probably just lazy in catching up with what's been going on since Emperor's demise. Suffice it to say I had no idea what to expect when I first kicked this album up.

Right off the bat I notice that the vocal style reminds me of Ephel Duath ca "The Painter's Palette." Definitely more prog than black metal, but to me that's not necessarily a bad thing at all.

The second track just hit an insane burst of speed, conjuring falling into some odd nightmare with some fantastic Meshuggah crunch sitting back on the downbeats. It's absolutely brilliant, shifting into some raw crazy sax...

To explain the musical combinations on this track, you must be familiar with Bill Laswell, Buckethead, Ephel Duath, Sybreed (in vocals), and a smattering of Jazz would help. Absolutely odd combo and probably my favorite track on the whole album.

The title track, "After," reminds me of a Floyd meets Enslaved (Circa Vertebrae) for something slow and melodic.

I found as the album progressed that it was fresh--there's two reasons I tend to not like progressive metal, either the vocals are too theatrical and contrived, or they just don't go heavy enough. This IS NOT an issue with Ihsahn. This is one of the heaviest progressive albums I've ever listened to, and it was excellent throughout. Now I just have come up with the cash to buy the backlog...

"