Candlelight Records (2012)

After "After" Ihsahn's trilogy ended. However, with "Eremita" the Norwegian artist continues to explore the inner world of himself. At least it sounds like this. I haven't read the lyrics, but the music is more introvert and less happening. He develops a few songs quite slowly, such as "Catharsis". This is musically speaking not that interesting to me as a listener.

The sound is impeccable, the arrangements makes the music float, the use of saxophone is all fine and the voice of his is getting better all the time. But I can't help that I feel somewhat bored every now and then, something I didn't see coming when speaking of Ihsahn and his works.

"The Grave" (08:33 min) is the one that makes me lower my eyebrows. Being sceptical towards soundscapes that sounds likes experimentation rather than what it should be to me, namely the feeling of being dug deep down, "The Grave" doesn't do what it should do. I should get the feeling of being in a grave without hope. As "The Grave" is now, I rather think that it's time to go to sleep. The other long track "The Eagle And The Snake" (09:03 min) is way better. This highlight shows Ihsahn toying around with ideas. The song takes different turns and the "dooooo dooooo dooooo" part in there is a nice surprise. This track is more powerful and have some power chords that I dig. Headbanging, be ye welcomed.

All in all "Eremita" isn't the highlight I expected it to be. It is a grower but it doesn't grow to the heights "After" did. Perhaps this is simply too introvert for someone like me...

www.candlelightrecords.co.uk

Rating: 4 / 6

Composed by Roy Kristensen