Ihsahn (album)

Ihsahn
Studio album by
Ihsahn
Released16 February 2024 (2024-02-16)
Length48:40
LabelCandlelight
ProducerIhsahn
Ihsahn chronology
Ámr
(2018) 		Ihsahn
(2024)
Singles from Ihsahn
  1. "Pilgrimage to Oblivion"
    Released: 16 November 2023[1]
  2. "Twice Born"
    Released: 14 December 2023[2]
  3. "The Distance Between Us"
    Released: 18 January 2024[3]

Ihsahn is the eighth studio album by Norwegian black metal musician Ihsahn. It was released on 16 February 2024 through Candlelight Records and was self-produced by Ihsahn.[4][5][6][7][8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Blabbermouth.net8.5/10[9]
Distorted Sound9/10[10]
Kerrang![11]
Metal Injection8/10[12]
MetalSucks[13]
Rock 'n' Load10/10[14]

The album received acclaim from critics. Jay H. Gorania from Blabbermouth.net gave the album 8.5 out of 10 and said: "There is no doubt that Ihsahn is one of metal's leading imaginative forces, and this self-titled release is possibly his solo career's high point."[9] Dan McHugh of Distorted Sound scored the album 9 out of 10 and called the album "bold, adventurous and extravagantly experimental and this deserves the utmost applause."[10] Kerrang! gave the album 4 out of 5 and stated: "Ihsahn's self-titled eighth solo work is an exercise in creativity, loose boundaries, and incredible talent, all the while also expressing that its creator knows exactly who he is."[11]

Metal Injection rated the album 8 out of 10 and stated, "Overall, this is another solid LP from Ihsahn, though I must admit, I was hoping for some more music that focused more prominently on the integration of horns, which he did so well on songs like 2019's "Stridig". Nonetheless, Ihsahn fans will certainly be more than satisfied with these songs."[12] Jordan Blum of MetalSucks rated the album 4.5 out of 5 and said: "Consequently, Ihsahn is another benchmark in Ihsahn's already pristine discography."[13] Rock 'N' Load praised the album saying, "Ihsahn shows yet again what a brilliant and creative mind he has and more than that – the intellect to put the thought into stunning music sets him apart. Ihsahn is a stunning album and has to be an early contender for album of the year."[14]

Track listing

Ihsahn track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Cervus Venator"1:19
2."The Promethean Spark"4:52
3."Pilgrimage to Oblivion"4:20
4."Twice Born"3:37
5."A Taste of the Ambrosia"4:23
6."Anima Extraneae"1:40
7."Blood Trails to Love"5:05
8."Hubris and Blue Devils"7:54
9."The Distance Between Us"4:30
10."At the Heart of All Things Broken"9:13
11."Sonata Profana"1:44
Total length:48:40

Personnel

  • Ihsahn – vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, production

Additional musicians

  • Tobias Ørnes Andersen – drums (tracks 2, 5, 7, 10)
  • Tobias Øymo Solbakk – drums, percussion (tracks 3, 4, 8, 9)
  • Chris Baum – violin
  • Angell S. Tveitan – percussion

Additional personnel

  • Tony Lindgren – engineering, mastering
  • Jens Bogren, Ricardo Borges and Johan Martin – mixing
  • Ritxi Ostáriz – design

Charts

Chart performance for Ihsahn
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[15] 34
Scottish Albums (OCC)[16] 30
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] 66
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[18] 81
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[19] 5

References

  1. ^ "Ihsahn To Release New Self-Titled Album In February, "Pilgrimage To Oblivion" Video Debuts". ThePRP. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Ihsahn Debuts "Twice Born" Video". ThePRP. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Ihsahn Debuts "The Distance Between Us" Music Video". ThePRP. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Ihsahn Announces New Album, Shares Black Metal and Orchestral Versions of "Pilgrimage to Oblivion": Stream". Consequence. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Ihsahn announces self-titled concept album, releases first single Pilgrimage To Oblivion". Kerrang!. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Ihsahn to Release a Self-Titled Album This February, Drops Two Videos for its First Single "Pilgrimage to Oblivion"". MetalSucks. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  7. ^ "IHSAHN To Release New, Self-Titled Album In February". Blabbermouth.net. November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  8. ^ "Ihsahn to release his next solo album in February: new heavy track "Pilgrimage To Oblivion" available for listening". Chaoszine. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  9. ^ a b H. Gorania, Jay (15 February 2024). "IHSAHN Ihsahn". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  10. ^ a b McHugh, Dan (14 February 2024). "ALBUM REVIEW: Ihsahn – Ihsahn". Distorted Sound Mag. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  11. ^ a b Ruskell, Nick (15 February 2024). "Album review: Ihsahn – Ihsahn". Kerrang!. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  12. ^ a b Podoshen, Jeff (12 February 2024). "Album Review: IHSAHN Ihsahn". Metal Injection. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  13. ^ a b Blum, Jordan (12 February 2024). "Review: Ihsahn Gets Surprisingly Symphonic and Melodic on Self-Titled LP". MetalSucks. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  14. ^ a b "IHSAHN // IHSAHN // ALBUM REVIEW". Rock 'N' Load. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Ultratop.be – Ihsahn – Ihsahn" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Ihsahn – Ihsahn". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2024.