I worked a summer job this year, in the neighbouring town to where Emperor was formed, and I met Ihsahn at work and got to tell him I love his music. It was amazing.
This was an AMAZING interview....oh man! I am a tiny bit sad that there is no real future of ever seeing anything from Emperor again, grew up listening to those guys, yet I totally understand Ihsahn's view and how they (the band) wanted to end the project. Oh well lol! It's amazing they are playing alive again though!!!!
Thank you very much. Agreed, it's kinda sad if they never again do any music together, but it's understandable. But since I've witnessed many bands come back together after more than 10 years, I wouldn't think it's impossible. After all they play together still, not some sworn enemies. Stay tuned for another Ihsahn interview soon!
Ah, my favourite black metal musician, it was a dream come true when I saw them last year at Brutal Assault, still can't really fathom that I actually been there... Great interview Jerry, this is definitely an achievement to interview Ihsahn for every journalist!
Glad to hear you got to see it! This was my third time to witness them live (albeit, I only saw a small portion of the show due to having Kreator interview overlapping with E gig...). Thank you! There will be part 2 as well and that is about his solo band, Ihsahn.
I feel ya´! I´ve been listening to them for the better part of two decades and only got the chance to see them live a few days ago at Brutal Assault also :). Completely surreal experince, to hear those songs live.
I am Emperor's biggest fan ever.!! I have been listening to them since the "Wrath of their tyrant" demo in 1992, I'm that much of a fan that I got a full sleeve tattoo on my left arm of the "In the nightside eclipse" album cover, and a full tattoo sleeve on my right arm of the "Anthems to the welkin at dusk" album cover.
Jerry, this was one of the best video interviews I've seen with the legendary Ihsahn. Thanks for doing this and thank you for sharing. I'm getting chills thinking about how I'll get to see this man fronting the almighty Emperor in Bergen this summer!!!
Nuevamente, una excelente entrevista Rauta. Tu canal es esencial cuando se trata de descubrir nuevo materia o recordar a las leyendas del Metal. Great interview again Rauta. Your channel is esencial when it comes to discover new material as well as remember to the Metal legends. Greetings from Exuaaodor, Southamerica!
Oh man, I have been far from here for a quite some time, but its great to be back and know that you are still making great content. For me, this man is one of the few muscicians that really deserves the position of "living legend", and I mean, I don't want to sound like a f'n fanboy, but seriously, every Ihsahn album is top notch stuff, and is something to take the hat off, the fact that, knowing that an "Emperor come back", will result in some sort of "secure ground", and, of course will sell millions, this guy prefers to do something authentic, even when he knows that some part of the """true""" audience will be pissed off, because of the "soft" stuff delivered. Anyway, its good to be back, and as always, keep it up and take care. Saludos!
Good to see both him and Samoth are such serious profesional musicians now days with very little egoes.
6 лет назад+1
I still hope that Emperor and Ihsahn will tour in Latin America, and obviously in Colombia. I totally share the point of not doing more music under the name of Emperor, may not exceed the expectations so high, it is better to stay with the musical jewelry that gave us. Great interview!
It takes a truly great band to come back after an extended absence with new material that rivals their original work, but it can be done. Carcass did it it. I bet Emperor could do it too.
Any serious blackmetal lover obviously appreciates the work of ihsahn and emperor.The mans obviously very articulate and serious about what he does.I’m not sure about his solo stuff .Seems to be something about Norwegian blackmetalers when they get older they all seem to want to go down an abstract art path.I’d love to see ihsahn and sammoth in corpse paint again ,for me corpse paint is a vital ingredient to blackmetal.Much respect to ihsahn though .In the nightside eclipse was one of the first blackmetal albums I bought along with marduks la grande Dance macabre .Loved black metal with a passion ever since.
Always felt like there was more to the "creative difference" between Samoth and Ihsahn that made them split the dynamic duo, more than they are willing to discuss as even Ihsahn understands how Prometheus material weaker in comparison to other Emperor albums and early Zyklon hosting a ton of riffs just aching to be under the Emperor label right after IX. It's very clear who brought what to the table in the height of the majestic reign. Yet neither party steps forward to try to compose music together - like both parties are unwilling to actually put their material alongside the others. It's a shame as it was what made Emperor great but in that sense very appropriate that before that happens Emperor stays just as a nostalgia revival band. It's the same with Limbonic Art, while the latest material was competent and improvement of the first post lineup change album, even with it's almost invisible release and reception: You can hear it's Daemon running to show alone with the much of the operatic, symphonic side of early releases is basically making techno with his own band. A great band is a sum of it's components, and while Ihsahns and other artists solo material are mostly good, sometimes true greatness, value of true art is the suffering and hardship of many people working together.
Good commentary! I can pretty much agree with everything you said. Emperor was definitely the sum of more components than just Ihsahn. I, however, didn't like IX, but then again liked Zyklon quite a bit. In my opinion they were going to worse direction after Anthems - but of course this is just my view of the band. I still think that after all these years of experience they might be able to pull more mature Emperor material than ever before. That doesn't mean it would be better than the early years when the youngsters were peaking with their creativity. Limbonic Art IMO has suffered from line-up change. Their latest album wasn't in fact a good one.
@Rauta , thanks and thanks for the good interview by the way. Regarding IX, it was an unbalanced album for sure, in retrospect it's probably in the title itself, one that also features more progressive compositions and much more genre crossover, all of which are more watermarks of Ihsahns later works. Of course it's up to taste if that's your preference but still it has tracks that were actually meant to be and were played live as well. Some of them absolute bangers with deadly riffs, while not all the tracks hit the mark. Most notably "Warriors of Modern Death" which I enjoyed a lot younger but it has since faded out once I've realized it was more of a Bathory homage than an actual Emperor song and "Source of.. " with it's Mercyful fate lendings, is fun but feels like another one for an EP rather than smack middle of an album. On Limbonic Arts Spectre Abysm I disagree. It's not great, but good - yes. It's still lacking and sluggish, but it had variety, had some connection to it's earlier Morpheus era works with long melodic sections. Things you cannot say about Phastamagoria which, dare say, raped its good parts with drum machines and tempo. When there's not enough variety even the most hardest riff and blast beat just seem like driving to work on a familiar highway. You drive fast but it's still a commute to a boring job. Each to his own opinion and preferences of course, have a good one!
@@ydin9 It warms my black little heart to see you guys discussing two of my favourite bands: Emperor and Limbonic Art! While Emperor got all the credit they deserve, Limbonic Art is probably the most criminally underrated black metal bands of all time and remains relatively unkown. In Abhorrence Dementia is a masterpiece that few have yet surpassed, IMO. Sadly, I think tafter Ad Noctum the bend started turning out weaker and weaker albums. All you got left is Deamons unfocused energy, but none of Morfeus´sorchestrations to tie it all together. Such a shame...
I think they are a dedicated live band now. Emperor is famous (and for good reasons) and they draw a lot of people into gigs, it really pays the bills. But it seems Ihsahn is no longer a black metaller that much so thats why his music under his own name is so much different. That is the stuff where his heart truly lies at the moment. But it draws less people in so they decided to resurrect and keep the Emperor alive aswell, but simply as a job and not an artistic outlet. Atleast for now. Who knows when the spark hits again? *fingers crossed*
Yeah, i read with a most recent interview that Ihsahn also likes to listen to HipHop and other styles. This to get rid of his insecurities etc. It in fact just sounds like me, if he also listens to Gangsta Rap. Guess it's 'cause of the rawness in old school Gangsta Rap Music.
Sounds like you got some "higher power" influencing the show in a good way! Reminds me seeing Morbid Angel first time with David Vincent some 10+ years ago and when the sky started to drop some water drops, Vincent went and said:"It seems even the heaven (or sky?) is weeping when we play on stage." or something in that direction. Gave me shivers!
I can answer that in a AMA video later in the fall, I guess. It's not a band that too. Btw Mille of Kreator actually comments my tattoos in the interview we made with him (should be out in 3 weeks).
A lot of people shitting on IX Equilibrium, weird since i always thought it was Emperor's greatest record. It has incredible atmosphere, arguably the best song they ever wrote, Of Blindness And Subsequent Seers, and every other track is arguably a hit, telling a different story everytime. Anthems is great of course, but i think they really peaked on IX Equilibrium. It also has a much better production than Anthem.
I get what he means about releasing a new Emperor Album. I think it'd be a let down. Emperor set a boundary they can't possibly beat themselves. We saw the same with other bands like Arcturus. They recorded La Masquerade, set a boundary for avantgarde music , but it was a boundary they couldn't beat themselves. Their records were always slightly disappointing after that. Same can be said for Emperor. Anthems was the last one that blew me away. IX Equilibrium was good. Prometheus was ok but nothing that any other band couldn't of recorded. Emperor was relevant at the time. I doubt they could make anything that could be classed as individual or ground breaking again in this over crowded scene.
While I totally get what you mean, I can't personally fully agree. For example me Arcturus did their best material after La Masquerade. And IXE I considered the worst of Emperor ever. I don't know how I'd feel nowadays. For me In the Nightside Eclipse is still the best and in some ways I think Anthems was their pinnacle. After that they just went too much too far with the music leaving the - figuratively speaking - lands of black metal behind. It was just too much a different band. I get that some people like those a lot, but for me Emperor has always been mostly just the split with Enslaved, Eclipse and Anthems.
I wasn't sure about IX Equilibrium when I first heard it. Disappointed initially but it grew on me. But then again it was very synonymous of it's time where a lot of bands like Satyricon were changing direction and having a more polished sound. To me the best one is Anthems. The reason is partially because of the music, but also because of the imagery of it, and what was going off at the time. 97 Was a fantastic year for underground Norwegian metal and....metal in general. Whilst the earlier stuff was still great, it's certainly something you have to be in the mood for. Like most BM of the pre 1994's I kind of have to be in the mindset of that era to listen to it .
Yes, regarding La Masquerade, whilst I agree some their later material was better than that album, (Sham mirrors being that last truely awesome one) what I meant was, no other albums to me had the impact that La Masquerade did. I played that album 4 times the day I bought it back in 97. Looking back now and listening to it in 2018 their musicianship has improved in later albums but the impact they've made on me isn't anywhere near as great. LM I was so different . These days they're still a great metal band but slightly blend into the sea of other twisty turny metal bands.
Yep, I get you. I personally was too "allergic" to their avantgardish, gothic and velvet-filled music at that age. For me it had to be rawer, more brutal or darker, but I understand that to many my friends, for example, Arctrurus was the shit back in the days. Let's see if I can get an interview arranged with them when they play in Finland...
Ihsahn admit it, y'all are just scared you will disappoint.....so what if it's copying yourself....that's what bands do....we WANT you to copy tour first 2 albums.
I think when is word about new material ,they need to follow or "copy Anathems to the Welkin Dusk,nothing to follow down or earlier work ,especial nothing up GET AWAY FROM IX E..certain
Friendliest guy. I'm envious you get to talk to him J! What a great band... PS. It keeps blowing my mind that In the nightside eclipse was made when Ihsahn was 16 .... crazy.....
Yeah, very friendly and down to earth. Got to meet him briefly again a few months ago on a cruise. Was planning to interview him at Inferno 2023, but seems our schedules didn't meet. Maybe later this year when they play in Finland. oh btw. there's also an Ihsahn interview (his solo project)
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Good interview. Always refreshing to see a straightforward discussion in black metal without any ego or intentionally vague statements/masks.
Thank you very much! Glad to hear we did good.
@Ace Xzavier I watch on Flixzone. Just google for it =)
It must have been amazing to meet this man!
F U It was. Didn't realize until last week I'm a few months older than him. Always thought the other way.
@@RautaMetal He is just such a down to earth man. Very kind and insightful.
I worked a summer job this year, in the neighbouring town to where Emperor was formed, and I met Ihsahn at work and got to tell him I love his music. It was amazing.
This was an AMAZING interview....oh man! I am a tiny bit sad that there is no real future of ever seeing anything from Emperor again, grew up listening to those guys, yet I totally understand Ihsahn's view and how they (the band) wanted to end the project. Oh well lol! It's amazing they are playing alive again though!!!!
Thank you very much. Agreed, it's kinda sad if they never again do any music together, but it's understandable. But since I've witnessed many bands come back together after more than 10 years, I wouldn't think it's impossible. After all they play together still, not some sworn enemies.
Stay tuned for another Ihsahn interview soon!
Ah, my favourite black metal musician, it was a dream come true when I saw them last year at Brutal Assault, still can't really fathom that I actually been there... Great interview Jerry, this is definitely an achievement to interview Ihsahn for every journalist!
Glad to hear you got to see it! This was my third time to witness them live (albeit, I only saw a small portion of the show due to having Kreator interview overlapping with E gig...). Thank you! There will be part 2 as well and that is about his solo band, Ihsahn.
I feel ya´! I´ve been listening to them for the better part of two decades and only got the chance to see them live a few days ago at Brutal Assault also :). Completely surreal experince, to hear those songs live.
Well Done, Excellent Interview. I got into Emperor after "Tho Shalt Suffer" Always been one of my favorite BM bands!!
Thank you!
I am Emperor's biggest fan ever.!! I have been listening to them since the "Wrath of their tyrant" demo in 1992, I'm that much of a fan that I got a full sleeve tattoo on my left arm of the "In the nightside eclipse" album cover, and a full tattoo sleeve on my right arm of the "Anthems to the welkin at dusk" album cover.
Cool. Hope you like the interview then, and the next one!
@@RautaMetal Yep I really enjoyed the interview it was a very good interview, Ihsahn is a very interesting and intelligent guy.
Good to hear! Then you will surely like next week's interview, too.
Call me crazy but I have a certain love for the original wrath of the tyrant demo over all the others.. in that demo his voice was unbelievable.
Always a great interviewee. Seems such a great guy.
Damn, he's so smart and eloquent. That was a brilliant answer to the question about new Emperor material.
Please Check out part 2 as well
Awesome interview with the legend.
Thanks!
Great interview, congratulations for this achievement
Muchas gracias!
Jerry never disappoints.. Great interview as ever. Gives good attention in Finland. Thanks man!!! 🍺🤘🇫🇮😁
Thanks once again Antti!
Jerry, this was one of the best video interviews I've seen with the legendary Ihsahn. Thanks for doing this and thank you for sharing. I'm getting chills thinking about how I'll get to see this man fronting the almighty Emperor in Bergen this summer!!!
Kerry Biawog Much appreciated. Nice to hear you enjoyed this interview. Enjoy that gig in Bergen!
I am a big fan of Emperor, Ihsahn is the best BM musician in all over the world.
You'd never guess seeing this guy walk down the street the insanely dark and grand music he made
Ihsahn is a very humble guy. But also a friggin Black Metal legend.
Nuevamente, una excelente entrevista Rauta. Tu canal es esencial cuando se trata de descubrir nuevo materia o recordar a las leyendas del Metal. Great interview again Rauta. Your channel is esencial when it comes to discover new material as well as remember to the Metal legends. Greetings from Exuaaodor, Southamerica!
Muchos gracias, señor Tipantuña!
Oh man, I have been far from here for a quite some time, but its great to be back and know that you are still making great content. For me, this man is one of the few muscicians that really deserves the position of "living legend", and I mean, I don't want to sound like a f'n fanboy, but seriously, every Ihsahn album is top notch stuff, and is something to take the hat off, the fact that, knowing that an "Emperor come back", will result in some sort of "secure ground", and, of course will sell millions, this guy prefers to do something authentic, even when he knows that some part of the """true""" audience will be pissed off, because of the "soft" stuff delivered. Anyway, its good to be back, and as always, keep it up and take care. Saludos!
Thanks for your comment! Yep, hats off to his career and talent, even if I'm not that much fan of his later work. And glad to have you back!
Excellent interview.
Thanks!
Rattan I’m happy to have discovered your channel! Thanks
Thank you!
Helvetin hyviä kysymyksiä. Ja Ihsahn vuoren tyynesti vastailee, mahtava haastattelu!
Thanks!
another great interview!
Thx
Good to see both him and Samoth are such serious profesional musicians now days with very little egoes.
I still hope that Emperor and Ihsahn will tour in Latin America, and obviously in Colombia. I totally share the point of not doing more music under the name of Emperor, may not exceed the expectations so high, it is better to stay with the musical jewelry that gave us.
Great interview!
Yeah, let's hope they come that way too! Thanks for your feedback.
It takes a truly great band to come back after an extended absence with new material that rivals their original work, but it can be done. Carcass did it it. I bet Emperor could do it too.
I agree. I'm sure they could easily beat their two last albums.
Holy shit! What an honor!!! Great guy even greater musician.
Not a big fan of his solo work but still… 👍🏻 thanks for the interview
Cheers!
Great Guy!
great interview 👌👌
Thank you.
The first two Emperor albums are the two greatest black metal albums, no question. For me, Eclipse has the edge slightly.
10:58
At the Gates is about the only band I can think of. He has a point. Still want it though
Carcass maybe?
Ihsahn wear trivium jacket cool!
Any serious blackmetal lover obviously appreciates the work of ihsahn and emperor.The mans obviously very articulate and serious about what he does.I’m not sure about his solo stuff .Seems to be something about Norwegian blackmetalers when they get older they all seem to want to go down an abstract art path.I’d love to see ihsahn and sammoth in corpse paint again ,for me corpse paint is a vital ingredient to blackmetal.Much respect to ihsahn though .In the nightside eclipse was one of the first blackmetal albums I bought along with marduks la grande Dance macabre .Loved black metal with a passion ever since.
His reasons for not creating new Emperor material are very commendable.
Respect 🤟😔
Yes. Mind you, this is almost 5 years old interview. Let's hope I can get back to it this year at Inferno Thumbs up.
Wow epic interview
You lucky lucky bastard
Hails Metal 4 Life
Thank you - and it's skill and hard work, not luck ;-)
@@RautaMetal well then you hard working and skilled bastard :)
Horns up Metal 4 Life
Thank you mate! Be sure to check out other interviews, too!
In The Night side Eclipse is an essential Black Metal album. Emperor is an amazing BM band. 😃😃😃
Lx Beltran It is a cornerstone of Norwegian black metal indeed.
Always felt like there was more to the "creative difference" between Samoth and Ihsahn that made them split the dynamic duo, more than they are willing to discuss as even Ihsahn understands how Prometheus material weaker in comparison to other Emperor albums and early Zyklon hosting a ton of riffs just aching to be under the Emperor label right after IX. It's very clear who brought what to the table in the height of the majestic reign.
Yet neither party steps forward to try to compose music together - like both parties are unwilling to actually put their material alongside the others. It's a shame as it was what made Emperor great but in that sense very appropriate that before that happens Emperor stays just as a nostalgia revival band.
It's the same with Limbonic Art, while the latest material was competent and improvement of the first post lineup change album, even with it's almost invisible release and reception: You can hear it's Daemon running to show alone with the much of the operatic, symphonic side of early releases is basically making techno with his own band.
A great band is a sum of it's components, and while Ihsahns and other artists solo material are mostly good, sometimes true greatness, value of true art is the suffering and hardship of many people working together.
Good commentary! I can pretty much agree with everything you said. Emperor was definitely the sum of more components than just Ihsahn. I, however, didn't like IX, but then again liked Zyklon quite a bit. In my opinion they were going to worse direction after Anthems - but of course this is just my view of the band. I still think that after all these years of experience they might be able to pull more mature Emperor material than ever before. That doesn't mean it would be better than the early years when the youngsters were peaking with their creativity.
Limbonic Art IMO has suffered from line-up change. Their latest album wasn't in fact a good one.
@Rauta , thanks and thanks for the good interview by the way.
Regarding IX, it was an unbalanced album for sure, in retrospect it's probably in the title itself, one that also features more progressive compositions and much more genre crossover, all of which are more watermarks of Ihsahns later works. Of course it's up to taste if that's your preference but still it has tracks that were actually meant to be and were played live as well. Some of them absolute bangers with deadly riffs, while not all the tracks hit the mark.
Most notably "Warriors of Modern Death" which I enjoyed a lot younger but it has since faded out once I've realized it was more of a Bathory homage than an actual Emperor song and "Source of.. " with it's Mercyful fate lendings, is fun but feels like another one for an EP rather than smack middle of an album.
On Limbonic Arts Spectre Abysm I disagree. It's not great, but good - yes. It's still lacking and sluggish, but it had variety, had some connection to it's earlier Morpheus era works with long melodic sections. Things you cannot say about Phastamagoria which, dare say, raped its good parts with drum machines and tempo. When there's not enough variety even the most hardest riff and blast beat just seem like driving to work on a familiar highway. You drive fast but it's still a commute to a boring job.
Each to his own opinion and preferences of course, have a good one!
@@ydin9 It warms my black little heart to see you guys discussing two of my favourite bands: Emperor and Limbonic Art! While Emperor got all the credit they deserve, Limbonic Art is probably the most criminally underrated black metal bands of all time and remains relatively unkown. In Abhorrence Dementia is a masterpiece that few have yet surpassed, IMO. Sadly, I think tafter Ad Noctum the bend started turning out weaker and weaker albums. All you got left is Deamons unfocused energy, but none of Morfeus´sorchestrations to tie it all together. Such a shame...
I thought EMPEROR quit like 10 years ago.Now they played like a dozen reunion concerts. haha Great act though...still need to see them.
I think they are a dedicated live band now. Emperor is famous (and for good reasons) and they draw a lot of people into gigs, it really pays the bills. But it seems Ihsahn is no longer a black metaller that much so thats why his music under his own name is so much different. That is the stuff where his heart truly lies at the moment. But it draws less people in so they decided to resurrect and keep the Emperor alive aswell, but simply as a job and not an artistic outlet. Atleast for now. Who knows when the spark hits again? *fingers crossed*
Aye. Check out his other interview that's coming out next week.
Yeah, i read with a most recent interview that Ihsahn also likes to listen to HipHop and other styles. This to get rid of his insecurities etc. It in fact just sounds like me, if he also listens to Gangsta Rap. Guess it's 'cause of the rawness in old school Gangsta Rap Music.
Old gangsta rap is just so badass it kicks the crap out of so many metal bands. NWA for the win!
Exactly! And don't forget Cypress Hill 1st era.
Hail Emperor ! Hail Alghazanth!
Saw them at Heavy Montreal, Was worth waiting through 15 minutes of torrential downpour.
That downpour might actually make the atmosphere more intense!
I thought it was going to be cancelled, I would have been so disappointed. The lightning in the background was pretty cool though haha.
Sounds like you got some "higher power" influencing the show in a good way! Reminds me seeing Morbid Angel first time with David Vincent some 10+ years ago and when the sky started to drop some water drops, Vincent went and said:"It seems even the heaven (or sky?) is weeping when we play on stage." or something in that direction. Gave me shivers!
My friend, can you make a video explaining what discipline means for you and why is it important? (if that's not a band tattoo haha)
I can answer that in a AMA video later in the fall, I guess. It's not a band that too. Btw Mille of Kreator actually comments my tattoos in the interview we made with him (should be out in 3 weeks).
cool!
OLD SCHOOL BLACK METAL!!!
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Second wave bm to be exact ;-)
Anthems is a magnificent record! So brilliant.....but Nightside is the best.
A lot of people shitting on IX Equilibrium, weird since i always thought it was Emperor's greatest record. It has incredible atmosphere, arguably the best song they ever wrote, Of Blindness And Subsequent Seers, and every other track is arguably a hit, telling a different story everytime.
Anthems is great of course, but i think they really peaked on IX Equilibrium. It also has a much better production than Anthem.
Interesting view 🙂
Make new Emperor and go back to Anthems style or don't do it. Ihsahn is legend. So cool that Trym is back!
It's actually EE-SHAN, not EEH-SAN.
OK
I get what he means about releasing a new Emperor Album. I think it'd be a let down. Emperor set a boundary they can't possibly beat themselves. We saw the same with other bands like Arcturus. They recorded La Masquerade, set a boundary for avantgarde music , but it was a boundary they couldn't beat themselves. Their records were always slightly disappointing after that. Same can be said for Emperor. Anthems was the last one that blew me away. IX Equilibrium was good. Prometheus was ok but nothing that any other band couldn't of recorded.
Emperor was relevant at the time. I doubt they could make anything that could be classed as individual or ground breaking again in this over crowded scene.
While I totally get what you mean, I can't personally fully agree. For example me Arcturus did their best material after La Masquerade. And IXE I considered the worst of Emperor ever. I don't know how I'd feel nowadays. For me In the Nightside Eclipse is still the best and in some ways I think Anthems was their pinnacle. After that they just went too much too far with the music leaving the - figuratively speaking - lands of black metal behind. It was just too much a different band. I get that some people like those a lot, but for me Emperor has always been mostly just the split with Enslaved, Eclipse and Anthems.
I wasn't sure about IX Equilibrium when I first heard it. Disappointed initially but it grew on me. But then again it was very synonymous of it's time where a lot of bands like Satyricon were changing direction and having a more polished sound.
To me the best one is Anthems. The reason is partially because of the music, but also because of the imagery of it, and what was going off at the time. 97 Was a fantastic year for underground Norwegian metal and....metal in general. Whilst the earlier stuff was still great, it's certainly something you have to be in the mood for. Like most BM of the pre 1994's I kind of have to be in the mindset of that era to listen to it .
Yes, regarding La Masquerade, whilst I agree some their later material was better than that album, (Sham mirrors being that last truely awesome one) what I meant was, no other albums to me had the impact that La Masquerade did. I played that album 4 times the day I bought it back in 97. Looking back now and listening to it in 2018 their musicianship has improved in later albums but the impact they've made on me isn't anywhere near as great. LM I was so different . These days they're still a great metal band but slightly blend into the sea of other twisty turny metal bands.
Yep, I get you. I personally was too "allergic" to their avantgardish, gothic and velvet-filled music at that age. For me it had to be rawer, more brutal or darker, but I understand that to many my friends, for example, Arctrurus was the shit back in the days. Let's see if I can get an interview arranged with them when they play in Finland...
That'd be cool.
Ihsahn admit it, y'all are just scared you will disappoint.....so what if it's copying yourself....that's what bands do....we WANT you to copy tour first 2 albums.
I think when is word about new material ,they need to follow or "copy Anathems to the Welkin Dusk,nothing to follow down or earlier work ,especial nothing up GET AWAY FROM IX E..certain
Ihsahn needs bigger sunglasses.
We all do.
Big sunglasses, not Emperor sunglasses
Friendliest guy. I'm envious you get to talk to him J! What a great band...
PS. It keeps blowing my mind that In the nightside eclipse was made when Ihsahn was 16 .... crazy.....
Yeah, very friendly and down to earth. Got to meet him briefly again a few months ago on a cruise. Was planning to interview him at Inferno 2023, but seems our schedules didn't meet. Maybe later this year when they play in Finland.
oh btw. there's also an Ihsahn interview (his solo project)