Ihsahn - angL (#4441)

metalgod · **Joined:** Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:50 am **Posts:** 5515

You're welcome to comment on:

Quote:

Ihsahn - angL
Progressive Metal
Quoted: 78 / 100

Click here to see the review.

TheOctavarius · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:15 pm

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even Ihsahn’s first attempt at solo glory, 2006’s The Adversary, was fault-ridden, coming across more as a struggle to fit separate and highly diverse influences together rather than the varied statement of musical expertise that it should have been.

Ouch. The sound of Adversary didn't strike me as much of a struggle. I thought it was rather fine.

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the urge to simply give up and go and listen to Opeth is almost overwhelming.

Not to be a massive ass-kisser, but I feel exactly the same way -- albeit with death metal albums I've just purchased (even though they're highly praised and whatnot). Sometimes I want to just turn it off and listen to something far more interesting.

Sort of off-topic, but I think it's a 'metal issue' that needs to be pointed out.

Kathaarian · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:44 pm

Actually that "stop and go listen to opeth" thing happened to me today. I gave this another chance but hardly made it to Unhealer, which is the only one I liked and the only reason I like it is Mikael Akerfeldt, I just stopped after unhealer and listened to Watershed instead.

This is a mess. It's not a criticism I use very often but on this one, THE RIFFS ARE NOT GOOD. Yeah, that's the problem. I'm cool with the song structures and whatnot but the guitar riffs are fucking boring here.

And I actually liked his vocals in Emperor, but it makes me cringe now.

OldSchool · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:39 am

I don't get this problem some people have with his voice. Sounds just fine to me. This album is simply great, I prefer prog this way than the DT recipe. The only downside is it doesn't get much playtime with me, I have to be in a special mood for it.

Karmakosmonaut · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:08 pm

He was fine in Emperor because back then the vocals were quite low in the mix.

The Evil Dead · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:04 am

Can anyone give me a quick yay or nay as to if this is an improvement over The Adversary?

RedHawk · **Joined:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:19 am **Posts:** 367

The Evil Dead wrote:

Can anyone give me a quick yay or nay as to if this is an improvement over The Adversary?

Quick answer : Nay

Slight explanation : I thought "The Adversary" was amazing and I was really looking forward to this, its still a good album but not as great as his previous solo album.

OldSchool · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:46 am

RedHawk wrote:

The Evil Dead wrote:

Can anyone give me a quick yay or nay as to if this is an improvement over The Adversary?

Quick answer : Nay

Slight explanation : I thought "The Adversary" was amazing and I was really looking forward to this, its still a good album but not as great as his previous solo album.

This one is much better.

Eternal Idol · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:56 pm

OldSchool wrote:

RedHawk wrote:

The Evil Dead wrote:

Can anyone give me a quick yay or nay as to if this is an improvement over The Adversary?

Quick answer : Nay

Slight explanation : I thought "The Adversary" was amazing and I was really looking forward to this, its still a good album but not as great as his previous solo album.

This one is much better.

Agreed. angL is far more engaging and memorable than The Adversary. It took a couple of listens to really sink in, but once it did I was amazed.

TheMetalWarrior316 · **Joined:** Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:01 am **Posts:** 646

Kathaarian wrote:

Actually that "stop and go listen to opeth" thing happened to me today. I gave this another chance but hardly made it to Unhealer, which is the only one I liked and the only reason I like it is Mikael Akerfeldt, I just stopped after unhealer and listened to Watershed instead.

This is a mess. It's not a criticism I use very often but on this one, THE RIFFS ARE NOT GOOD. Yeah, that's the problem. I'm cool with the song structures and whatnot but the guitar riffs are fucking boring here.

And I actually liked his vocals in Emperor, but it makes me cringe now.

Hmmm, for me it's the exact opposite. Opeth doesn't give me much. The songs just have no direction, while Ihsahn's songs have a clear structure. I even like the "Opeth" song Unhealer...

Mintrude · **Posted:** Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:32 pm

Am I the only one who quite likes his screams?

traptunderice · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:33 am

Mintrude wrote:

Am I the only one who quite likes his screams?

No. I've never not liked Ihsahn's vocals. Well maybe all except for the Emperor in a trash can demo which was still great for a demo.

Goat · **Posted:** Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:23 pm

Cripes, I was nasty to this. Would easily give it an 85 now, although After kicks it in the nuts. Review of that on Monday.

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Ihsahn - angL (#4441)

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