Norway's musical mastermind Ihsahn (a.k.a. Vegard Sverre Tveitan) first attracted attention as a member of black metal monsters Emperor in the mid ‘90s. But by the time he turned to solo outings a decade later, it was clear the singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist had a host of weapons in his arsenal. While trace elements of his murky, maniacal past remained part of his m.o., Ihsahn could deftly balance a guttural roar and an understated croon, crushing guitar riffs and supple electronic textures. Prog, death metal, and old school hard rock are all part of his aural assault.