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Ihsahn, Shining, Leprous @ Electric Ballroom, London |
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Ihsahn
Shining
Leprous
@
Electric Ballroom, London
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An Ihsahn show on these shores is no small talking point, and not least because the man who gave us Emperor has produced one of 2010’s very best albums in ‘After’. The Ballroom isn’t packed to the rafters, but that doesn’t stop Shining from raising the bar with a blisteringly engaging performance that has a huge chunk of Camden’s faithful gazing slack-jawed at the whole spectacle. The Norwegians’ unique brand of jazz-influenced black noise is some acquired taste, but few can deny their impact as a live force, and tonight they serve as the perfect warmup for the grand master.
Ihsahn and his band is one hell of a spectacle itself, with the sight of six bodies on such a small stage at once (including a saxophonist, natch) proving every bit as mesmerising to watch as tonight’s main support. What isn’t quite so enthralling is a sound mix so muddy that the grandeur of mega-tunes like ‘The Barren Lands’ and ‘On The Shores’ lose just a bit of their shine. Still, this is a masterclass all the same, and even a burst drum near the end of the set can’t tame the excitement surrounding tonight, and the addition of Emperor classic ‘The Tongue Of Fire’ only heightens the occasion. A special evening for a very, very special artist. |
Review by Merlin Alderslade
Photography Asif Salam
Ihsahn
Shining
Leprous
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Live Reviews 
