Ihsahn: After

   STUNNING HEAVY PROG MASTERPIECE FROM EMPEROR FRONTMAN IHSAHN

Recorded during the first half of 2009, After completes the Ihsahn's
planned trilogy of initial recordings. The album showcases the
Norwegian icon with drummer Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect),
bassist Lars K. Norberg (Spiral Architect), & saxophonist Jorgen
Munkeby (Shining). "This is my first album written with 8-string
guitars as basis which has been both challenging and inspiring, he
comments when discussing the creative process. I also decided early on
that I wanted to mix this album with Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia) and
recorded the album with that in mind. Asgeir and Lars have again
delivered superb performances. I've always wanted to implement the
saxophone in my music; Jorgens contributions truly added a silver
lining to the album." Again working at his own Symphonique Studio, with
additional work at Toproom Studio (co-engineered by Borge Finstad),
After was meticulously laid out over an eight month period. The
intensity of the project has more than paid off with early listenings
already proclaiming it to be the most poignant creations of his solo
efforts. I have felt more confident and more at ease with the material,
relays Ihsahn. In letting the songs themselves lead the way I just
followed the natural impulses." Ihsahns first recording, The Adversary,
found the musician composing and performing all instruments and
immediately struck a chord with his hordes of fans worldwide. The album
afforded Ihsahn the opportunity to embrace more expansive sonic
textures previously untouched in Emperor. The album also saw a return
of his various lyrical muses. "Icaros, Lucifer, Prometheus, Zarathustra
are all persons of history who challenged commonly accepted, most often
enforced "truths," despite civilization's persecution of them and their
followers, he comments. Their stories are inspirational. AngL would
follow in 2008. Metal Maniacs said, whereas The Adversary was a sonic
coping mechanism - all aspects of the album were tightly controlled -
AngL finds the visionary widening and deepening the canvas. Decibel
Magazine called the album, "as compelling as Emperor's best; Ihsahn
sounds as fresh as he did fifteen years ago, but with the hindsight of
a grown man." AngL featured a musical collaboration with Opeths Mikael
Akerfeldt for the song The Unhealer. Spellemann (Norwegian Grammy)
Award Nominee Ihsahn (born Vegard Tveitan) began playing music at a
very early age. As a teenager, his friendship with Tomas Haugen (a.k.a.
Samoth) would trigger the start of his music career - one that to date
includes over fifty individual recordings, five high-profile Emperor
European tours (the band reaching US shores on only three occasions)
and the respect of fans and peers worldwide.

Track Listing:
1. The Barren Lands 5:12
2. A Grave Inversed 4:25
3. AFTER 4:47
4. Frozen Lakes On Mars 5:54
5. Undercurrent 10:00
6. Austere 6:16
7. Heavens Black Sea 6:15
8. On The Shores 10:12