Ihsahn
“Telemark”
Nuclear Blast
Released : February 14, 2020
There isn’t a fan of the Black metal genre that isn’t familiar with Ihsahn or the band that put him on the map. Emperor are perhaps the pinnacle of the genre. Pioneers.
While the more chaotic groups like Burzum and Mayhem were committing murders, and burning down churches, Emperor were busy creating masterpieces. Now, that isn’t to say that Burzum and Mayhem didn’t – because they most certainly did. They just took a different path. One of infamy and destruction.
Opening with “Stridig” – a rampant tune that could have easily be found on an Emperor record – with saxophone. Ever groundbreaking. Two things cross my mind. In all the years I’ve listened to this genre, and we’re talking early 90s, I never thought I would hear a saxophone in the mix. And secondly, I never thought a saxophone could fit this style of music so perfectly.
I am aware that both Shining and Carpathian Forest made use of saxophones. But I can’t recall if I felt the same way about those two ventures. I can clearly remember being gobsmacked the first time I heard Taake use a banjo in a song, though. Either way, I fully support the further exploration of the black metal sound. Although, I’m sure many “true” or “cult” fans will disagree with me. And that’s fine too.
This is a theme that continues throughout this extraordinary EP. The following two tracks, “Nord” and title-track “Telemark” are chock-full of incredible guitar passages. At around the four-minute mark of “Nord”, comes a fantastic guitar riff. Perhaps the greatest of the five tracks herein.
The opening moments of “Telemark” remind me of an Amorphis track. Again, echoing back to the use of guitar with a saxophone overtone. It’s short lived, however, as the song quickly goes off on a very different path. Calm. Collected. But poised to become venomous – and does. Given that this track is about Ihsahn’s home county, it only makes sense that it should also be the one that sounds most like an Emperor song.
See also : Kvelertak “Splid” Review“
“The title of the EP is Telemark” explains Ihsahn. “it’s the county I grew up in and still live in. So the whole thing is situated there and very much inspired by that. So you could say it’s a roots-orientated album. I decided early on that I wanted this to be very purely related to black metal aesthetics. I wanted to distill the basic, bare bones black metal influences of my musical roots. Given the overall concept, writing something for and from Telemark. I decided to do Norwegian lyrics for the first time,too. It feels very much closer to home in many ways.”
The final two tracks are cover songs. The first of which, I found rather surprising. Ihsahn has a certain way of presenting himself. A certain je ne sais quoi. He is the mastermind behind probably the most skilled Black metal band, well, ever. So when I initially read through the track listing, I had a double-take moment. Could this really be the song I thought it was? The answer, as I found out while listening to the recording for the first time, was an astounding yes.
I couldn’t picture Ihsahn covering a Lenny Kravitz song. Yet, now that I’ve heard it several times – I’m glad he did. The song itself shows the versatility of Ihsahn, but also works towards breaking a certain stereotype, too. As he shreds his guitar through Kravitz’ solo’s, the listener is reminded of the talent that Ihsahn possesses. Not that anybody with an ear for music would have ever questioned that.
Rock n’ roll is dead, yet rock n’ roll lives.
The final track, also a cover, is more along the lines I’d expect from a musician of Ihsahn’s ilk. Iron Maiden are perhaps the most influential band in metal history. Maybe Black Sabbath would contest that title, but even then – it’s Maiden’s trophy. Therefore, covering “Wrathchild” is perfectly fitting. Albeit a tad surprising to hear a saxophone thrown in. Even more so, is how well it works. Replacing one of the guitars, the saxophone seems like it was always meant to be apart of the song. That is the genius of Ihsahn.
For Fans Of : Emperor, Satryicon, Enslaved
Track listing :
01. Stridig
02. Nord
03. Telemark
04. Rock N’ Roll Is Dead
05. Wrathchild
