Ihsahn – Fascination Street Sessions (EP)
Release Date: 24th March 2022
Label: Candlelight Records
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Genre: Progressive Metal, Black Metal.
FFO: Arcturus, Emperor, Borknagar.
Review By: Trina Julian Edwards
Norwegian black metal icon and progressive metal innovator, Ihsahn, returns with his latest project, the Fascination Street Sessions EP, on March 24th. The legendary Emperor frontman collaborated with producer/engineer Jens Bogren (Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Powerwolf) of Fascination Street Studios to use these sessions in the development of a course for URM Academy’s online program for music production.
Utilizing demos Ihsahn wrote for the project, the course covers the entire process, from pre-production to final master. The EP that resulted from this work features two new tracks and a cover performed by Ihsahn, his drummer, Tobias Ørnes Andersen, and keyboardist Øystein Aadland. Also featured on the EP is Jonas Renske of Katatonia, who provided guest vocals for the cover of Dom Andra by Swedish band KENT.
According to press releases, the URM Academy team captured the entire process on video, with Jens Bogren’s commentary on production techniques and methodology, including details about mic placements, preamps, and drumhead tunings. Fans interested in learning the technical aspects behind how the EP was made will definitely want to check into taking the course at URM Academy.
The releases also note that the opening track, The Observer, ultimately became the primary focus of the URM course. It’s not hard to see why. The dynamics are beautifully balanced between the harsh sections that scour your brain and the mellow bars that blow over you like a warm wind. I love the proggy little intro, and the vintage organ running through the amp is a nice focal point that appears throughout the track. The sustained chords give it an almost classical-sounding dissonance. The song features keyboard player Øystein Aadland’s lovely clean vocals on the verses, and his lilting baritone is the perfect foil to Ihsahn’s exquisitely modulated screams. The reverb, and possibly a delay? on the clean vocals -plus the harmonies they plug in- are so evocative of the ethereal vibe of the verses. The guitar bursts in with some squalling, arpeggiated, almost 80s energy, and the bright organ chords accenting the guitar give the phrases a nice punch. The percussion ripples and flows like a stream, keeping that legato line moving and uplifted. Ihsahn has given us so many gorgeous colors and textures in this piece, and the production couldn’t be better. Is it my favorite, though? I still haven’t decided.
That stellar opener is a hard act to follow, but Contorted Moments is no slouch. The jangly guitar intro builds into this galloping rhythm that grabs you right from the get-go. This has some proper Arktis-era rock elements mixed with the dark, moody ambiance we know and love. The chord progression in the verses is all sharp edges. I’ll take the minor over the major every time, but even those have their place here. The harsh vocals are top-notch, but it’s got some gorgeous melodic sections where Ihsahn’s cleans are as silky as his screams are abrasive. The keyboards lightly dance across the landscape during the down-tempo sections, but then the percussion picks up that driving rhythm, and we’re off again. I hate to admit it, but I sometimes get so caught up in the intriguing dynamics of his arrangements that I don’t fully appreciate Ihsahn’s guitar work, but there are some fiery little solos sprinkled throughout this piece. Every time I think The Observer is my favorite track, I listen to Contorted Moments and change my mind.
The final track, Dom Andra, was originally performed by the Swedish band KENT. Press releases note that prior to becoming involved with the project, Renske and Ihsahn had already discussed joining forces to cover this song. Fortunately, the opportunity presented itself with this course, and the result was worth waiting for. I wasn’t sure what to expect- and I was a bit apprehensive since I love the original- but I was so pleased to hear they channelled that 90s indie-rock feel while still giving it their unique stamps. Renske, of course, did not disappoint. His vocals are so perfectly infused with pathos that I was gutted just listening to him- and I didn’t even know what the song was about. I never looked up the English translation of the song until I heard this cover, and I can confirm he absolutely killed it. I rarely enjoy a cover as much as I do the original, but I could listen to either version of Dom Andra and be happy.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this EP. I’ve been a fan since the Emperor days, so feel free to take this review with a grain of salt. As a former educator, I love the whole idea behind this project, and I hope the course is well-received. It ought to be because the production is stunning. Seriously. There’s a reason why Bogren works with some of the biggest names in the business. While this may have been too short for my liking at right around thirteen minutes, I’ll take any new Ihsahn I can get. I’m always impressed by his creativity, and Fascination Street Sessions is no exception. If you like his solo work, you should definitely check this out, as it dovetails nicely with the rest of his catalog. As far as I’m concerned, everything is better blackened. Give it a listen on March 24 via Candlelight Records.
(4.5 / 5)
