The former Emperor frontman/guitarist can apparently do little wrong in his career. The Adversary was a great first attempt at a solo record, building upon the later imperial style, and angL kicks it up a notch, with an amazing amount of progression woven into the symphonic and technical black metal excellence.
"Misanthrope" is the first of nine gorgeous tracks, with a thrashing twist to its riffing below Ihsahn's sadistic, toxic vocals. "Scarab" is almost pure progressive, with a few well-timed breaks into the more technical black/death. "Unhealer" is a melodic, progressive track with a near balladry to it, again climaxing with progressive black and death metal overtones. "Emancipation" and "Malediction" return to the fast and aggressive, steeped in tasteful leads, thoughtful riffing and symphonic synths. "Alchemist" is one of the more progressive tunes. "Elevator" is highly creepy and atmospheric, and just might be my favorite track. "Threnody" starts off with some acoustics and clean vocals, as does the adventurous closer "Monolith". Quality is quite consistent throughout here, this is a man who values depth to his songwriting. You won't pick up all the intended signals on your first listen through, it requires a few to truly set in.
Lyrically the album borders on Emperor's sense of personal power and tragedy and the id, but they are quite well written if simple.
there is vanity in my destruction
there is mockery in my ordeal
indefinite is the course of my descent
when lights disperse
and the devil takes me
The serious and dark tone almost mocks some of the more playful progressive touches of the album, but in conjunction it has created a near masterpiece. I've said the 'p' word enough in this review, but try and imagine Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire and Demise with an edge of 'p' metal and you wind up here, on angL. Enjoy it!
Verdict: Win [8/10] (your peace is not my peace)
http://www.ihsahn.com/
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