My introduction to Ihsahn was after the release of his album Eremita last year. If you happened to read my blog (you would be one of 12) then you would know that Eremita was number 4 on my end of year list and an album that I still listen to frequently today. I did not know Ihsahn’s time in Emperor when I first came across his albums, as when they were becoming big in the extreme metal world I was in a place in my life where access to this type of music was minimal. You see, they don’t carry a lot of Emperor in the exchange on a military base outside of the continental United States. I have since gone back and listened to Emperor’s earlier releases and have found them unique and solid in their genre of music and there is an absolute relationship between what Emperor did back in the day with what Ihsahn is doing in his solo career. One of the more obvious comparisons is the flow and sound of the Emperor album Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire and Demise.
But I digress. Less than a year after the release of Eremita Ihsahn is back with a new album Das Seelenbrechen. This album is a bit of a departure from Eremita but is a solid album none the less. This album is not as heavy as his previous releases but still invokes a dark and twisted view on how and what Ihsahn is bringing forth in the music. I have read a couple of interviews recently with Ihsahn and the same theme arises in each of them and I think that shows in this album, and that is Ihsahn made this album for himself mostly, but still wanted an album that fans would enjoy. He made musical decisions that his core fans may not be familiar or even happy with but he did so as an artist who had feelings that needed to be released and he did it his way. Ihsahn should be commended for this because I can tell you that the normal metal fan is probably not going to get what Ihsahn is putting down throughout this whole album.
At first listen Das Seelenbrechen to me feels like a story that unfolds in 10 epic songs. Telling a story with a significant prog/psyche feel as opposed to a full on metal album. I mean really, listen to the song 'M' and tell me that you don’t feel the Pink Floyd influence that permeates throughout the song. It is a powerful song, not long in length but as with most of his music Ihsahn really knows how to get the most out of emotions. The opening track of the album is a fine example of what I am talking about. 'Hilber' opens with a barrage of sound that leads directly into the familiar and emotive scream/screech of Ihsahn. Followed quickly by a synth break that has the feel of watching a dark and dreary musical where the evil and despair are palpable. The mood of the song is kept in check with the slow progression of the guitars and that steady synth riff playing in the back. The orchestra takes on full control of the song as the anticipation builds to the return of the vocal parts. Epic in every form this song epitomizes what the rest of the album has in store for the listener.
Throughout the album the vocals switch from clean to not so clean vocals but not only does it work it adds beautifully to the music and the mood. As the songs continue the uniqueness continues. The songs have not been arranged in a familiar fashion for most metal fans and to be totally honest I am not sure if this is a metal album in the purest sense of the genre but one thing I do know is that this is one of the best albums to come out this year and if you have the patience to give Das Seelenbrechen a proper listen(s) I have to believe you will agree with me. Unlike Eremita, which I think was immediately accessible to all fans of metal Das Seelenbrechen will probably take a little more time for most to really sink in but give this album a chance and you will not be sorry. Will it rank in my end of year list as high as Eremita did? I don’t know yet, but it will certainly be a contender.
