Undoubtedly Ihsahn will always be remembered for his groundbreaking work with legendary Emperor and throughout the years as a solo artist he has explored diverse music styles with a dazzling avantgarde approach that today leads to the release of the new EP “Telemark”.

“Stridig” can deliver majestic blackened grooves even if the classic black metal vibes embedded in the fiery guitar riffs are destined to embrace a creative progressive essence enriched by the powerful presence of the saxophone and the consequent high degree of diversity ranges from introspective melodic moments, courtesy of the enticing melodic guitar work, to epic atmospheric waves.  

“Nord” shines for the aptly Nordic melancholy that shapes the grandiose atmosphere and the sorrowful melodic momentum which feels particularly vivid during the slower guitar phrases and the charismatic soloing while the rhythmic patterns can sound absolutely triumphant fueled by an intriguing blend of prog elements and malevolent blackened vibes certainly amplified by the venomous growls. 

The title track is a complex work of music as the prog dynamics become quite dominant leading to diverse tonalities, unpredictable tempo variations and extremely detailed guitar work while the atmospheric arrangements and the captivating saxophone melodies truly emphasize the epic splendor yet there will always be some ravenous black metal elements fully expressed by the viciously fast rhythmic patterns and the hellish growls. 

The EP also includes the cover of Lenny Kravitz’s hit “Rock and Roll is Dead” and Iron Maiden’s iconic “Wrathchild” which are quite entertaining tunes showcasing a lighter and even playful musical spectrum. 

Despite being a short EP “Telemark” manifests a fascinating creative force that simply cannot be overlooked and you can also perceive the strong presence of Ihsahn’s black metal roots which add a darker almost diabolical vibe to the elaborate soundscapes.