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Ihsahn - Arktis. CD (album) cover

ARKTIS.

Ihsahn

 

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

3.94 | 114 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

ssmarcus
4 stars Ihsahn, the master of Norwegian black and avant-guard metal himself, crafted hismost broadly accessible album of his career with 2016's Arktis. While still centering around down tuned riffs and Ihsahn's signature punishing vocals, the album comfortably incorporates elements of classic prog and electronica thereby creating an engaging album that truly defies any expectations listeners may have had of Ihsahn until this point. And yet, despite the prevalence of catchy vocal hooks and groovy riffs, Ihsahn's propensity for experimentation still manages to find its place as the record's run time progresses.

It is worth making mention the album cover as well. Its difficult to not immediately feel the cold and resistance that the black clad figure must be feeling in the image. And yet you also sense that the character is ploughing along willingly and embracing the cold for what it is. I'm no lyrics expert but I would venture to say that this image fits well into the existentialism in Ihsahn's music. Life is dark and punishing but the will can overcome it.

ssmarcus | 4/5 |

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