This self-titled conceptual release will see the Norwegian black metal legend unveil a prog metal record as well as a fully symphonic accompanying album on February 16 via Candlelight. The idea, he says, came from wanting to 'raise the bar tenfold' for his eighth LP. 'At the heart of what I do is black metal, extreme distorted guitars and screaming, but since the earliest Emperor recordings you'll hear the keyboard parts influenced by classic soundtracks by the likes of Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, Bernard Herrmann, John Carpenter and so on', Ihsahn explains. 'So, I approached the writing with the intent to present the material in its full-blown metal expression, but also to arrange the orchestral parts in such a way that they would work independently'.
Track Listing:
1. Cervus Venator - Ihsahn (1.19)
2. The Promethean Spark - Ihsahn (4.52)
3. Pilgrimage to Oblivion - Ihsahn (4.2)
4. Twice Born - Ihsahn (3.37)
5. A Taste of the Ambrosia - Ihsahn (4.23)
6. Anima Extraneae - Ihsahn (1.4)
7. Blood Trails to Love - Ihsahn (5.05)
8. Hubris and Blue Devils - Ihsahn (7.54)
9. The Distance Between Us - Ihsahn (4.3)
10. At the Heart of All Things Broken - Ihsahn (9.13)
11. Sonata Profana - Ihsahn (1.44)
Year of Production: 2024
