» 3 out of 5 Evil Faces

Time yet again for another CD review, this time it’s the debut solo release from former Emperor front man Ihsahn, titled The Adversary. Released by Candlelight Records a few weeks ago.

I got this CD a week ago, and have listened to it quite a few times. Luckily for me or for this review anyway, I did because the first time I listened to it. I was not too impressed and turned it off.

This is not grinding death/black metal. It is typical Ihsahn (Emperor, Peccatum) more Peccatum than Emperor, but none the less it does remind me of later Emperor releases.

I originally heard this by viewing the video for the opening song Invocation. Not a bad song at all, so I bought the CD. It is pretty cool, but has many slow pretty parts.

There are some heavy parts for sure. Some nice neat riffs and intricate playing, just like the video linked to above. But for the most part the CD has alot of slow passages with keyboards and some moaning vocals.

It starts off good, slows down for awhile then picks up again about half way through and gets going, until the final song which is really cool! Not heavy, but I like it anyway. It has good flow. Thus the semi-positive review.

If you are not a fan of lighter operatic metal than this is not the CD for you, but if have enjoyed past releases by any of the aforementioned bands than maybe you can safely get a copy of this and see for yourself.

Though don’t complain to me if you don’t like it. You have been warned as to what you should expect.

I would not go as far to say that this is a bad CD, it isn’t. It’s a good CD. It is just not totally my thing. There are things I like about it, and things I don’t. Which I guess can be said for all Cd’s. (other than a few which I like all of) It just took me a few times to make it all the way through this one to find the gold at the end, or maybe the fact that it was over was the good part.

So to sum it all up. It is progressive and all that, but still retains some definite metal as well. If you want go buy a copy and check it out. If not, then don’t.