IHSAHN’s AFTER STREAMING IN FULL
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 12:50pm by Vince Neilstein
Now’s your chance to have a listen to what might be my favorite album of 2010 so far, former Emperor frontman Ihsahn’s second solo album After. The entire album is streaming for free at Plugd. I’m really excited for you all to hear this record so you can tell me whether it’s just me or it really is fucking brilliant.
If you’re expecting the black metal drone of Emperor, don’t; Ihsahn’s solo work is something completely different, made to be judged on its own accord. After is a veritable melting pot of influences both from within metal and without, and while some black metal overtones occasionally make themselves known there is no mistaking that this is not a black metal record at all. It’s stylistically all over the map, yet it somehow holds together in one cohesive whole.
Stream After on Plugd. You’ll need to have a Facebook account to login.
-VN
I’m going to save everyone here some time by telling you in advance it sucks.
You are a fucking moron.
I’m very happy that I didn’t listen to you. Sounds pretty kick ass to me
Not sure how I feel about the sax-a-ma-phone usage on the disc. I could love it, or absolutely abhor it, haven’t decided yet.
This album rocks. I’ve never heard a saxophone sound more badass (except for maybe on the new Sigh record).
See I like it alot. It’s Proggy a tinge of Black Metal but my only problem with it is the Saxophone for EVERYTHING!! It’s like he was chillin on some Roger Water’s Pro and Cons of Hitch-hiking and was like “hey lets throw that Sax in this bitch! If Nachtmystium can do it why not!” BUt other than that I had no problem with it.
When I heard that there was saxophone being used, I thought it would suck. But I actually like it.
I just love this sound. A new sound that works is always good! This doesnt only “work” though; its great!
hey vince is actually his third solo album
Right? I am not even an Ihsahn or Emporer fan and I knew that. I suppose we’re all allowed to make mistakes here and there.
This album is brilliant in my opinion. I just don’t like the last song.
As was already pointed out, this is Ihsahn’s THIRD bloated ego output. Also, when you say Emperor is “black metal drone”, you are throwing whatever TINY shred of dignity as a ‘metal blogger’ left down the drain. Emperor are the FARTHEST thing from drone a band can possibly be. If anything, Emperor’s sound became too ‘busy’ over the years.
Seriously dude, you’re a pud, and should shut your mouth before you embarrass your poor parents any further.
Careful where you point that fearsome internet rage, man. You’re gonna make Vince cry.
i agree about emperor…how in your right mind could you consider anything they’ve done Drone. i mean i thought drone was Sunn O))) or something, not symphonic black metal like the mighty Emperor
I don’t think he was specifically referring to them as drone… I think he was just using the word drone to infer that their black metal was kind of boring.
Grover is correct… I obviously don’t think Emperor sound droney. I was using “drone” as a word synonymous with “din” or “noise,” with regards to how some people view black metal. It had nothing to do with Drone (the genre) or how I personally feel about Emperor. Sheesh, people, calm down!
-VN
TELL EM LIKE IT IS, NEILSTEIN
VN- I’ll take your word for it, but Im pretty sure you are the first person to ever use the word drone in relation to Emperor, so its quite easy for your words to be misunderstood.
Grover- Even if one does not like Emperor, how can one POSSIBLY call it ‘boring’ ?? “Anthems….” thru “Prometheus” have SOOOOOO much going on that it can be called scatter-brained, spastic, A.D.D. black metal, pompous, bombastic, confusing, chaotic…….. but certainly not boring dude. Have you ever heard Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk ? There is so much going on there, while still managing to connect to black metals base instinct. The albums after that were much too bloated and smelled of ego horribly, and I dont’ really care for them…but they are not boring
I really thought this was an excellent album. Certainly a step up from his work with Emperor.
this is definitally one of the greatest albums ive ever heard. thats a bold statement for anyone to make, but its been a long time since ive feel this in love with an album
How many albums have you heard, 7 ?
I’m going to second your statement. And I’ve definitely heard far more than 7 albums.
I’m pretty sure it’s Ihsahn’s third solo album.
I’m even more sure that it is completely fucking awesome.
I think his new album is great. I feel that it is a step up from his last album angL. i think sax adds a little bit of a different flavor to this prog/black metalish album. One of the better albums I have heard in a while.
its a good book if you like fiction
This is an annoying stream, the unlocking isn’t working for me.. I wanna hear this!!
If you want to hear it……… BUY THE FUCKING ALBUM !
This album is great. I was completely surprised at what Ihsahn did with this album after angL.
So lame! I want to listen to it and I clicked on it, but I do not have a facebook account, so I am unable to. Everyone I know seems to have a dang facebook account, even my mom and my ex husband, but not me, so I can’t listen to Ihsahn. I guess I’m kinda private, without the facebook; I suppose that’s why I never opened one.
Why don’t you BUY the fucking album, instead of wanting everything for free ??
I buy albums all the time. I checked it out on the MySpace page, and it was pretty good. I may even BUY IT.
You might as well just make a facebook page with the bare minimum of personal information possible, even if you don’t plan on using it. It’s good to keep up with new developments in technology, especially when it’s needed for stuff like this. This Biff Tannen guy is a jackass.
Im not a jackass at all. I just tell it like it is. I don’t feel the need to dumb things down just to make you blouse wearing poodle walkers happy.
That is a good suggestion. And Biff Tannen is, indeed, a jackass.
This is literally like the 12th time I’ve said it on this site, but this album has completely blown me away. Emperor is one of my all time favorites, but I’ve found Ihsahn’s last two efforts to be mediocre(especially The Adversary), which makes me all the more impressed that he pulled this off.
I also think that far too much attention is being given to the sax. It’s an interesting idea, but ,other than during the second track, it never really struck me as jarring, out of place, or weird. It just seems like an instrument that belongs.
Unless I stumble upon some unexpected masterpiece that gets released this year, this album has already won my vote for album of the year. Now if only the copy I ordered(since no record store in my city has it) would get here in the mail.
Fuck, I hate agreeing with this website, but this album is really great. There are a few parts where it feels kind of boring, but otherwise, this is a great album. “A Grave Inversed” is just so much fun. In this young year, this is my favorite album so far.
Haha I think I hear the universe imploding
As do I. But I find solace in the fact that these goons will never appreciate Anubis Gate like I do.
And I’ll find solace in the fact that you just introduced me to Anubis Gate. This is good stuff.
Yeah, it’s great, mainly the last two albums (with The Detached being one of my favorites of 2009). Jacob Hansen just does an amazing job of producing for them, and his vocals fit them very well. Also, his super-polished (yet not over-produced–big difference) production style brings out a lot of subtleties in their sound, and as a listener who pays a lot of attention to detail, I like that.
goons indeed
This is the third Ihsahn album.. not second
Blackened sax metal! Everything this guy does is brilliant.
Oh, and Ziltoid likes it! He Really likes it!
Best of ‘10 so far indeed.
Brilliant really. I was astounded.
You can also stream the whole album without a facebook account on myspace (no stupid “comment to unlock” crap either) :
http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=7152029&albumid=14694866
After is a fucking gem. Definitely exceeded my expectations. The saxophone was a great touch. Ihsahn once again has proved he is indeed, a true musical genius.
After is the third release by Ihsahn! Not second.