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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: LudwigVan on April 14, 2010, 06:44:35 AM
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Anyone listen to Ihsahn's new album After yet? Just started getting into it... seems even more progressive than his 1st two albums (Adversary and AngL). As extreme/heavy as this music gets, I also love Ihsahn's clean vocals and the quieter sections/songs on this album.
Black metal with saxophone! :metal
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Been meaning to check this guy out. Seen the band name a few times. Will check out the new album for sure
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Indeed, best release of this year so far if you ask me. Certainly took me by surprise.
And I realised that saxophone is severely under used in metal after hearing this album! :2metal:
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I've heard a bit about him, and I definitely must try his music, sounds very interesting to me.
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yeah it's pretty good. Much better than their last album.
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I'm listening to this album, so far it's really cool!
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The saxophonist on this record is in a band called Shining from Norway.
They play avant-garde jazz-infused metal and are absolutely crazy and awesome in every single way. I bought their new album 'Blackjazz' and it's been in my stereo so much that I only got round to burning it on my PC the other day...just so good and so unique.
Try their cover of 21st Century Schizoid Man for size: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eXUjfVPkGk&a=WoNxN707HqY&playnext_from=ML (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eXUjfVPkGk&a=WoNxN707HqY&playnext_from=ML)
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I have this album! Part of my recent haul I posted in the sticky :tup
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EPIC BUMP. This album is so epic. Sad to see no Emperor, Ihsahn threads except this one. Seems like they're kinda underrated on this forum. Ihsahn is a true genius. Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire and Demise is one of the best albums ever.
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Epic bumping again!
In all honesty, After was my AOTY last year. It was one of the more amazing, progressive experiences of the year, and OMG that saxophone usage. If you have no issues with harsher vocals, then get out there right now and get this, you won't regret it. After is flipping AMAZING.
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Epic bumping again!
In all honesty, After was my AOTY last year. It was one of the more amazing, progressive experiences of the year, and OMG that saxophone usage. If you have no issues with harsher vocals, then get out there right now and get this, you won't regret it. After is flipping AMAZING.
This except it was a little bit lower as Kvelertak reigned my AOTY position. Fantastic album.
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Someone has mentioned Ihsahn to me before. I guess now that I've seen a thread about him on DTF I have no choice but to give him a try.
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After is such an amazing album! On the Shores has practically been on repeat the last couple days. The use of sax on this album is just so amazing.
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Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire and Demise is one of the best albums ever.
Exactly!
And on topic, even though 'After' is a great album, I still prefer 'Angl'. No saxophone, but overall the songs are just that little bit more magical (if that word can be used in reference to an Ihsahn album...)
Looking forward to see what he'll come up with next, truly one of my all time fav. musicians for sure!
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Yeah the sax was kinda... mood killing in a few parts.
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Bumping and editing thread title for the new album.
Anyone listen to Eremita yet?
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Only behind the new Between the Buried And Me for Album of the Year for this year. While I think After is better, it's still a brilliant album. I think the saxophone works better on this album-it doesn't feel quite as out of left field this time. Some people around here fanboy hard for Devin Townsend, some for Steven Wilson. Me? Ihsahn. :biggrin:
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Fantastic album. Been a fan of Ihsahn since the early emperor days. He really knows how to compose interesting music.
Eremita is my second favourite album this year, only beaten Circus Maximus "Nine"
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Both After and Eremita are awesome, but I prefer After. I love this guy. :)
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Double-post bumpage.
After is amazing. I love Ihsahn's voice and he's a great songwriter.
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After is an absolute masterpiece. Eremita is great as well, but just doesn't quite hit the same mark.
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Yeah, I agree. Say, is his earlier stuff worth checking out?
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Depends what you are after. The only other Ihsahn solo album I have is AngL which is as well really good. It's a bit heavier on the black metal side, which is pretty cool to see the shift in styles between that and After.
His stuff with Emperor was fucking great too, but that's when we start hitting his kvlt years.
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Well, what I really like with After is his combination of cleans and growls, and the sax. How is that represented on angL and Emperor?
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There's no sax on angL and I'm pretty sure there's none on Emperor, but I can't say that with any certainty.
I think his clean to harsh ratio is about the same on angL but it's been so long since I've listened to it that I can't accurately remember.
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The sax first cropped up on After, and wasn't ever used in Emperor. He's used about the same amount of growls and clean vocals since, arguably, the last Emperor album, which really is where the sound Ihsahn has on his solo CDs started.
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angL has a track with Mikael Akerfeldt lending his vocals which should be reason enough to listen to it.
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And Eremita has a tune called Introspection with Devin Townsend on guest vocals.
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So, I couldn't find a Emperor thread, so I'm posting this here.
Emperor to reunite at Wacken Open Air 2014.
Thoughts?
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So, I couldn't find a Emperor thread, so I'm posting this here.
Emperor to reunite at Wacken Open Air 2014.
Thoughts?
That's awesome :metal Really hoping for a new album from them as well.
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Das Seelenbrechen Ihs EXCELLENT
:tup :tup
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Das Seelenbrechen Ish EXCELLENT
:tup :tup
Yep. One of the candidates for my Album of the Year.
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Sooooo After is freakin' amazing.
Old news, I know, but I got it the other day and there's not a single weak song on it.
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Hey, there's a new Ihsahn song out! Featuring Einar Solberg of Leprous.
https://bloody-disgusting.com/music/3385585/stop-youre-listen-ihsahns-celestial-violence-exclusive/
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Hey, there's a new Ihsahn song out! Featuring Einar Solberg of Leprous.
https://bloody-disgusting.com/music/3385585/stop-youre-listen-ihsahns-celestial-violence-exclusive/
Have always been a bit turned off by Insahn/Emperors music (admittedly, in a time where I dismissed nearly all harsh vocals), but this sounds great. I might prefer Einar's vocals here over pretty much all of the Leprous songs I heard too, killer performance.
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Really like the new album.
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Yeah, Arktis is pretty great. Some really fantastic songs and an interesting range of influences.
It doesn't quite measure up to After, but I think I'll end up liking it a bit more than Eremita.
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It doesn't quite measure up to After
Can anything, though? It's such a masterclass in avant-garde black metal. Concise, a real whirlwind at times, but so clear and melodic, with some truly incredible sax and bass playing. Just untouchable top to bottom.
Eremita is pretty damn good though.
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First time I've ever heard any of his solo stuff, the new album really surprised me on how good it it and how much I enjoyed it.
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On my first listen, and I'm really liking Arktis. Less experimental than Das Seelenbrechen, so I find it hard to compare the too, but it's definitely better than Eremita if it keeps up this quality all the way through (currently on In the Vaul).
EDIT: OK, this is even better in the second half. Honestly, this is probably my AotY right now, and I've only listened to it once. It's THAT good. Then again, I only have, like, eight albums from 2016 so far. But still.
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That's great news :tup I'm going to listen to it in full today, I've already heard like 5 songs and it sounds way more accessible than his other stuff. When I'm done I'll see if I want to try 'After' cause I'm really intrigued, it seems to be the favorite here.
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Definitely try After. Not a wasted moment on it.
I'm really loving Arktis. I'd say it's as experimental as Das Seelenbrechen, just in a different way – it incorporates way more synth focus, and several songs use more of a hard rock approach than metal (the opening song being a great example). Einar Solberg is all over this record, much more than he has been before, and he has some of the best moments on the record. What a talented vocalist.
Is there a story behind the bonus track? It sounds like a soundtrack to a short film.
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Had a real urge to listen to Ihsahn yesterday, not sure exactly where it came from??
I only have After and angL but I love them both. Really cool albums. I've got a few Emperor albums but they don't scratch that itch like Ihsahn's solo output does.
I really need to get around to listening to his latest as it seems to be very well received :metal not sure why I haven't already to be honest!!
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Attended Ihsahn gig yesterday. I like some of After and most of Arktis and not familiar with the rest of the albums, so it's not like I'm a big fan of him or anything, just decided to see a gig a bit outside of my comfort zone. That said, I pretty much liked it.
The venue was pretty small and not packed, just as I suspected it would be. There were probably 400 people total. The setlist was Arktis-heavy—Pressure, Mass Darkness, MHiotN, Until I Too Dissolve and Celestial Violence with Ihsahn on all vocals—the last two songs being the highlights for me. Ihsahn said that Until I Too Dissolve is his attempt to write a 80s happy metal song and the audience received it very well (it is a great song, after all); and while Celestial Violence without Einar doesn't work that well (no harmonies in the ending), Ihsahn did a good job covering Einar's clean vocal parts. He also did a shrill scream on the last word in "The still anticipation of the scream" line, which was pretty damn great. The other highlights of the set were Hiber (an opener), A Grave Inversed and The Grave.
Ihsahn went to approach the crowd after the gig, which was nice of him, too. I didn't have anything to sign—the CDs at merch stand were damn expensive, starting from $25 and higher (they had After, Das Seelenbreechen, some other stuff and, curiously, some Leprous CDs)—so I just sat there and watched.
All in all, I doubt I will go see him again if he returns to Moscow one day, but it definitely was a nice experience. I'm glad that I went.
(https://imageshack.com/a/img923/5369/8r2NdF.jpg)
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Cool, thanks for the review :tup
If he came to my country I'd go only because of the newest album, I think it's that good. I should check his other album out, but my list is too big :/
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I'm on a bit of a Ihsahn kick at the moment. I recently got Das Seelenbrechen and Eremita and I really love both of them. I went on someone's recommendation, when choosing which of his solo albums to start with, and got After and angL. I do like both of those albums but I'm finding I like Das Seelenbrechen and Eremita more. Arktis is easily my favourite still and I'm proper hyped about his upcoming album.
I know he is well respected here on DTF and that Arktis was generally well received. Just interested as to how everyone else would rank his albums now that Arktis has been out nearly 2 years. I'd say that my album ranking is as follows:
- Arktis.
- Das Seelenbrechen
- Eremita
- After
- angL
- The Adversary (but only because I haven't listened to it yet)
As you can see I actually rank them with every new release being better than the last :lol If he keeps this trajectory then the next will be his best yet. May the 4th is going to be a great day as there are 3 other albums that I'm massively looking forward to.
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After
angL
Arktis.
Eremita
Das Seelenbrechen
Haven't listened to the first album in full but from the bit I listened to it just sounds like a worse version of angL
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They'll probably never top After for me, and judging by the new single it seems like they're gonna release something similar to Arktis, which is fine but probably not gonna blow me away.
Das Seelenbrechen and Arktis are about equal in my rankings, Seelenbrechen has the better songs (Regen has got to be one of the single most epic songs I've ever heard) but Arktis is more consistent. Actually haven't heard the other albums, I should though
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Definitely check out angL. It's a bit rawer than After (and has no saxophone) but it's almost as good.
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Damn, Das Seelenbrechen is quickly becoming my favourite album of his. Regan is just :hefdaddy
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Yep, Regen is one of the most epic songs I have ever heard, doubt anything will change that anytime soon. I love songs that are basically just one huge buildup.
Gonna check out angL for sure Buddy, I just find myself constantly checking out other new stuff ahead of it :lol I can't help myself, I'm addicted to discovering music
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I can't help myself, I'm addicted to discovering music
We all feel you bro, it's the constant struggle
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Heard tons of great things about the new album, heard the first song and it's amaaaazing. Gonna listen to it in full soon cause I'm traveling for an hour :metal
The new Thy Catafalque is also good, very little metal compared to most of his albums though
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Heard tons of great things about the new album, heard the first song and it's amaaaazing. Gonna listen to it in full soon cause I'm traveling for an hour :metal
The new Thy Catafalque is also good, very little metal compared to most of his albums though
Yep, Samr (track 3) was probably my fave on first listen but definitely a contender for album of the year. I'm about half way through the new Thy Catafalque and you're right about the lack of metal. I'm absolutely fine with that. Hajnali Csillag is easily the standout track so far.
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Favourite so far is In Rites of Passage, but the 3rd track is also really good. I kind of overrated the first track in my initial post revisiting it now :lol its still very good, but kind of samey.
Dont remember the name of my initial favourite of Geometria, but it was one of the singles, I believe track #3?
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Wait, what? There's a new album?
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There most certainly is! Today is a good day, new Ihsahn and Thy Catafalque. I've listened to both if them and now I'm into the new Dimmu Borgir and Frank Turner albums, I think my album ranking will change a fair bit within the next week.
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I've listened to the new album a couple of times, I'm really liking it, I still can't point my favorite tracks. Great album for sure!
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I mentioned over in the Blind Guardian thread that I recently stumbled onto Ihsahn and bought his whole solo catalog. I've listened to 4 of the 7 so far and am loving him but it's too early for any kind of opinion on each. gazinwales mentioned he was interested in hearing my opinions on this stuff.
I was going to wait until I had some more time but I am listening to After right now for the first time and, holy crap! I am loving this album. This album has really stuck out for me so far upon first listen. I am on Undercurrent right now and this album is just blowing me away. I am also amazed that the sax isn't bothering me at all. It just seems to fit. Wow, just loving this thing.
I'll come back here with some more opinions on the other albums when I get more time with them but I can already see After being very close to the top spot, if not in the top spot, when all is said and done.
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I love the sax on After, it really stands out and is definitely something not often heard in this genre of metal.
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I think I am pretty safe in giving a ranking on the albums. Das was difficult. It started great and then went off the rails for me.
These are grouped into sections. Consider them just about equal in their respective groupings.
I am actually revisiting Eremita right now and really digging it. It is right on After's toes.
After
Eremita
Artktis.
angL (love Unhealer with Akerfeldt)
Ámr
The Adversary (Not bad, just not as good as the rest. Can tell he was figuring out his solo identity.)
Das Seelenbrechen (can only tolerate about the first 4 tracks)
All in all, Ihsahn was a very satisfying find for me. I look forward to his future works.
EDIT: Side note, I really hope he maintains Tobias as his drummer. The difference was noticeable to me starting with Eremita.
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After
angL
Arktis.
Eremita
Das Seelenbrechen
Haven't listened to the first album in full but from the bit I listened to it just sounds like a worse version of angL
This has stayed the same, except I'd put Ámr at the bottom. That album was a pretty big disappointment for me.
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https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/ihsahn-announces-black-metal-progressive-eps-for-2020
Looks like we're getting two EPs in 2020.
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I saw that too. A bit worried about the Norwegian lyrics statement. If all the lyrics are that way I might skip. I have never been able to get into foreign language lyrics for some reason.
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Non-English lyrics do not bother me at all.
If the music is good and has great vocal melodies I am all over it.
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He dropped a new track a few days ago. I LOVE the music. He is singing in his native tongue. I still might have to pick this up, regardless of the language barrier.
https://youtu.be/xL0ZHYcuDe0
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sax is back baybee
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Telemark comes out Friday, but the price at Amazon for a physical copy is ridiculous. It's a 5 song EP and they want $12.59 right now. The mp3 version is $5. I really hope I can snag the physical for a better price.
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Not sure how I feel about the new EP, I'm not really a fan of Stridig or the two covers but Nord and Telemark sounded a bit better.
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Telemark comes out Friday, but the price at Amazon for a physical copy is ridiculous. It's a 5 song EP and they want $12.59 right now. The mp3 version is $5. I really hope I can snag the physical for a better price.
That's actually a pretty good price for the physical version.
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New song and new EP announced. LOVE the new song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvUJZygvCRk
https://www.loudersound.com/news/ihsahn-spectre-at-the-feast-new-song-exclusive
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The new EP is quite good, like with Telemark. I just wish both of them had more original songs and less covers. If you put these two EPs together and took out the covers it would definitely be up there with his best work, though it'd still be too short.
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That cover of Roads though :heart I just came here to post how much I love it. I kinda get your point but I'm happy to take them as they are, and as EPs I just think they're both great in their own right. I don't spend any time dwelling on what could've been. You can always make them into your own album and take out the covers.
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Oh, I know. I just really like the original material on these two releases so I wish we got more of it, especially since I found Amr to be a really underwhelming album.
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My CD arrived today. Haven't had a chance to listen yet.
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Oh, I know. I just really like the original material on these two releases so I wish we got more of it, especially since I found Amr to be a really underwhelming album.
Yea I agree about Amr being underwhelming. Maybe the covers and the EPs are just a way to test the waters, see how they are received? Before a change in sound for the next album? I don't think that is the case, I'd like to think Ihsahn is one of those artists who will make the music they like regardless of if it will appeal to his fanbase.
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I've not yet heard the originals but i listened to the cover of Manhattan Skyline. A-ha are one of my favourite bands ever and I love the Scoundrel Days album. Very solid cover. I was expecting an Ihsahn scream somewhere though and was slightly disappointed it never happened. :lol
I have to just say how much I love Arktis and Celestial Violence particularly. I think it's an incredibly evocative picture of space, time and beauty. Ihsahn's lyrics are often extremely good. The tone of Disassembled as a picture of a man being hunted is just perfect to me, conjuring images of noir thrillers, etc. Very rare for me to find metal that hits the right lyrical and musical points these days but i listen to a handful of tracks off that album all the time still.
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Ihsahn - Dom Andra Feat. Jonas Renkse (Official Video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fxt9dDf3T4&ab_channel=CandlelightRecords)
This hits kinda hard for me, it's a cover from a very important swedish band for me. Even though I prefer the original I enjoy hearing Renkse singing swedish and the cover pretty good.
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Very cool cover! I had read in several occasions that the guys from Katatonia are Kent fans, so it's interesting to see Jonas sing in a cover of their song...
My favorite Kent album is Du & jag döden and I'd LOVE to hear a Katatonia cover of the opener, 400 slag.
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I'm not familiar with the original. That sounded ok on one listen - not all that sold at the beginning, but got more into it and Jonas' vocals as it went on.
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Very cool cover! I had read in several occasions that the guys from Katatonia are Kent fans, so it's interesting to see Jonas sing in a cover of their song...
My favorite Kent album is Du & jag döden and I'd LOVE to hear a Katatonia cover of the opener, 400 slag.
Yea you can definitely hear Kent in Katatonias music.
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Soundscape just posted this over in the Album Release Date thread, but holy shit, new Ihsahn single with album coming on 16th Feb.
https://open.spotify.com/album/7zfTJVYMmEM5CotxG7SPuf?si=RaaFv5N9QNK90OshBvljCw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A7zfTJVYMmEM5CotxG7SPuf (https://open.spotify.com/album/7zfTJVYMmEM5CotxG7SPuf?si=RaaFv5N9QNK90OshBvljCw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A7zfTJVYMmEM5CotxG7SPuf)
The new single has a fully orchestral version as well. I really, really hope this is the vibe he has for the whole album as this is epic as fuck! Count me as excited!
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Concept album. One version in the Prog Metal vein, the other full orchestral.
https://www.loudersound.com/news/ihsahn-to-release-self-titled-concept-album-presented-in-two-versions
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Concept album. One version in the Prog Metal vein, the other full orchestral.
https://www.loudersound.com/news/ihsahn-to-release-self-titled-concept-album-presented-in-two-versions
This excites me greatly. To be honest, after listening to the two versions of the new single, I thought he might try this.