Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Ihsahn
Title
The Adversary
Type
LP/EP
Company
Candlelight
YOR
2006
Style
Heavy/Extreme
11/9/2007 - Review by: Troy Cole
Ihsahn - The Adversary - 2006 - Candlelight Records

Track Listing

1. Invocation
2. Called By The Fire
3. Citizen
4. Homecoming
5. Astera Ton Proinon
6. Panem Et Circenses
7. And He Shall Walk In Empty Places
8. Will You Will Love Me Now?
9. Pain Is Still Mine, The
Former Emperor mainman Ihsahn comes back to the metal stage for his first solo album, "The Adversary", for Candlelight Records. In many ways this album is like a hodge-podge of heavy metal genres, leaning on power metal, prog, folk, and traditional metal. The problem is that it doesn't combine for a very good mix of entertaining music. Often this sounds like a botched King Diamond record, almost good but on the borderline of subpar metal. His clean voice is way off kilter, sounding like a strained Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian) and a psychedelic King Diamond. It makes for a really strange listening experience and one that I really don't care for at all. For example a song like "Called By The Fire" is shell-shocked with an incredible guitar riff right out of The Scorpions back catalogue but then the band slows down to a really slow progressive outfit through the chorus parts. I would go with bands like Circle II Circle (power metal side) and Opeth (progressive extreme) before venturing into this type of record. Odd. Very odd.

If you are ever wondering how a black metal singer would sound out of his element then give this a spin, otherwise avoid at all costs.



---1Evil1
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    1 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: IHSAHN
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
After
2010
Candlelight
Raising Iron3/4/2010
4.5
Angl
2008
Century Media
David Loveless5/5/2009
4.5
The Adversary
2006
Candlelight
Troy Cole11/9/2007
1

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: IHSAHN
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


<< back >>