Metal Storm logo
Ihsahn - Arktis.



8.3 | 330 votes |
Release date: 8 April 2016
Style: Extreme progressive metal

Owners:

233 have it
38 want it


01. Disassembled [feat. Einar Solberg]
02. Mass Darkness [feat. Matthew Kiichi "Matt" Heafy]
03. My Heart Is Of The North
04. South Winds
05. In The Vaults
06. Until I Too Dissolve
07. Pressure
08. Frail
09. Crooked Red Line [feat. Jørgen Munkeby]
10. Celestial Violence [feat. Einar Solberg]
11. Til Tor Ulven (Søppelsolen) [feat. Hans Herbjørnsrud] [bonus]

The Best Extreme Progressive Metal Album Of 2016

Additional info
The track "Til Tor Ulven (Søppelsolen)" is featured on all formats excluding regular CD: digital, vinyl, limited deluxe edition digibook, and jewelcase CD.

All music and lyrics by Ihsahn.
Recorded and produced at Mnemosyne Studio and Juke Joint Studio.
Mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios by Jens Bogren.
Design by Ritxi Ostáriz at ritxiostariz.com.
Photos by Fridtjof Nansen used with kind permission from The Norwegian National Library.
Recorded with support from FFUK and MFO.

Staff review by
Auntie Sahar
Rating:
6.0
As the solo career of Ihsahn progressed, it seemed as though this versatile multi-instrumentalist was gradually pushing his work more and more towards bolder, unexpected territories. It was a trend that arguably started with After, and that came to a peak with Das Seelenbrechen, an ambitious voyage into dark lands of the surreal and borderline Avantgarde. As a bit of a disappointment, Arktis now comes this year from a much more accessible direction, feeling like something of a ball drop after all that progress.

Read more ››
published 21.05.2016 | Comments (59)

Found in 43 lists
Top lists



Comments page 2 / 2

Comments: 37   Visited by: 1017 users
05.05.2016 - 12:54
Rating: 8
LeKiwi
High Fist Prog
Written by Unhealer on 05.05.2016 at 07:20
post-After

Loading...
07.05.2016 - 15:21
Rating: 7
raveneffect

Like the previous one, a pretty solid release. I find it a lot more experimental this time but I defo love the direction Ihsahn is taking his solo work.
Loading...
08.05.2016 - 00:43
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Written by Diverge on 05.05.2016 at 00:54

What a letdown. This is second-rate Ihsahn at best, and there's little that compels me to listen to this again. I greatly enjoyed his last album as well, and I'm angry he swerved towards a more boring approach with this one.

Pretty much my sentiments, Das Seelenbrechen was awesome and treaded into some much bolder, borderline Avantgarde territory. This, however, seems to be sitting towards much more of a "standard prog" sound, which, after that album, is pretty disappointing
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
Loading...
03.06.2016 - 21:57
Rating: 8
Doge of Venice

Listened to it a few times during work today. Pretty good as far as first impressions go. Pressure and Celestial Violence the highlights for me. Will need to listen more.
Loading...
11.07.2016 - 20:21
Rating: 8
NocturnalStalker
Metal Addict
Sure enough, after the experimental madness of Das Seelenbrechen (which I liked a lot), Arktis sounds a bit too tame. Still it sounds very much like Ihsahn album, which makes it a very pleasant record to listen to. I understand the point of view of, for example, Apothecary, as I'm also disappointed with the general direction of the album, but I still find that I can enjoy listening to it.
Favourite tracks: Mass Darkness, Frail, Crooked Red Line.
----
"And we are not who we think we are
We are who we're afraid to be"
- Lux Occulta "The Opening of Eleventh Sephirah"
Loading...
21.09.2016 - 12:03
IcedEarth4ever

Ihsahn's new cd been in my Playlist since April non-stop because like all his solo epics, His sound is very unique.
Loading...
13.02.2018 - 23:56
Rating: 8
musicalkaratekid

At first glance this seems to be Ihsahn's most straightforward release yet, but it should be given credit for being consistent from start to finish. I was given the impression that Ihsahn, essentially, is an expert songwriter after listening to Arktis. The album's first few songs are notably accessible and hook-laden, but still have a distinctive twist that Ihsahn manages to merge with whichever style he's playing. Plus there are frequent dabbles with ambient/electronica/industrial ("South Winds" primarily), and even the bonus track-which really shouldn't have been a mere bonus track considering that it makes my hair stand tall every time I listen to it-offers some of the most emotionally deep musicianship to come out of Ihsahn's long-winded career. Whether or not he continues down the route hinted at on Arktis or creates yet another creative curveball, it's probably going to be interesting and engaging stuff.
Loading...

Hits total: 17253 | This month: 60