Candlelight Records confirmed today June 18 as the European release date for Eremita, the anticipated fourth album from Ihsahn. Recorded and produced at Telemark’s Ivory Shoulder Studios, with additional tracking completed at Notodden’s Juke Joint Studio and Seattle’s Envisage Audio, Eremita was mixed by Jens Bogren (Opeth) at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. Alongside Ihsahn, the album features performances from drummer Tobias Ørnes Andersen (Leprous), saxophonist Jørgen Munkeby (Shining-Norway), guitarist Jeff Loomis (ex-Nevermore), and vocalists Devin Townsend, Einar Solberg (Leprous) and Heidi S. Tveitan (Starofash). The album’s packaging has been created by award-winning Spanish designer Ritxi Ostariz.

Eremita begins a new musical chapter for the highly regarded musician; his previous album, Norwegian Grammy Award Nominated After, forming the final part of a planned trilogy on its release in early 2010. Offering nine new songs to his growing worldwide audience, Eremita is the longest and most spirited of Ihsahn’s solo recordings. Reflecting on the recording process Ihsahn notes, “this is right where I want to be musically, with lots of room for dynamics and expressive variety. Tobias and Jørgen have really added to the organic vibe I was going for and have contributed to the overall feel with their fantastic musicianship. And to have Devin, Jeff, Einar and Heidi adding their special moments, I am very privileged to be able to work with such a talented group of people. I really feel this is some of my most inspired work yet.”

Exhibiting Ihsahn’s highly-trained guitar and keyboard skills, Eremita (latin for hermit) is a journey that is sure to find an expanded audience for the revered 36-year-old. Guitar World senior editor Brad Angle says, “with Eremita Ihsahn proves yet again that he is one of the most influential, progressive and enduring musicians to emerge out of the classic Norwegian black metal scene.” MetalSucks editor Vince Neilstein says, “Ihsahn just keeps getting better and better with every album he releases. He’s really come into his own as one of the most talented musicians and songwriters in all of metal, and his distinct, singular sound has come a long way from his days in Emperor. I cannot wait to hear this record.”

Ihsahn’s prodigious and prolific talents have been at the forefront of heavy music for the past two decades. He began his career at age thirteen as a member of what would become fledgling black metal crew Emperor. As a band, Emperor would both define and refine metal, pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible within the most arcane of art forms and taking some of the most adventurous and extreme music of all time to a huge global audience. With albums like seminal In The Nightside Eclipse (recorded when Ihsahn was only seventeen), and Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk, Emperor obliterated all-comers and became one of the most revered metal bands in history. After the release of their final masterpiece, Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire & Demise in 2001, Ihsahn announced that the band were to part ways to enable himself and his colleagues to pursue new creative avenues.

Ihsahn performed live for the first time on US soil last autumn at ProgPower. The sold out 3-Day festival was the perfect stateside avenue for the musician. On confirmation of the performance Ihsahn noted, “I am very excited to get the opportunity to play at ProgPower. Given the nature of my material, I believe this festival will be a great place to present it live.” Festival organizer Glenn Harveston comments, “Ihsahn’s ferocious intensity combined with his amazing musicianship completely won over the crowd.  It was the best set of the fest for me.”

Eremita will be available on standard cd and a limited edition deluxe digibook (featuring an exclusive bonus track).

Confirmed track listing for Eremita is:

1. Arrival
2. The Paranoid
3. Introspection
4. The Eagle And The Snake
5. Catharsis
6. Something Out There
7. Grief
8. The Grave
9. Departure
10. Recollection (deluxe edition only)

Ihsahn plays Ibanez Guitars, Blackstar Amplifiers, Line6 effects, and performs/edits his music with software from Steinberg and Native Instruments.

Full Metal Jackie will premiere Surrender (featuring guest vocals from Ihsahn) from the upcoming Jeff Loomis solo album this weekend (3/9-3/11)! To find a rock station near you airing FMJ go to fullmetaljackieradio.com

On the 8th of February Håvard Rem´s book 30 40 50 was celebrated with a release party at Rockefeller, Oslo. A wide variety of artists performed at this event, and this is a clip from our contribution.

This spring Mnemosyne will be working together with the renowned Norwegian author, Håvard Rem, on writing a soundtrack to his last collection of poems, titled 30 40 50. A small preview of this work will be performed at his forthcoming release party. The event will be celebrated this Wednesday from 19:00 at Rockefeller, Oslo, with concerts and readings. We are honored to be working with you and your poems, Håvard Rem.

Ihsahn is confirmed to play Hellfest this summer. For more information about this festival, please visit their website.

We are happy to announce that the first full-length from our friends in Ørkenkjøtt is now available for presale. The album titled “Ønskediktet” was recorded and produced by us in Mnemosyne. This band has it’s own wonderful character, some lovely people in it and last but not least, some great songs!

Presale Norway - Presale Europe -  Digital sale

Ønskediktet release concert will be on March 22th.

“I was both surprised and honored when Jeff asked me to sing on one of the songs for his upcoming album. He sent me a killer track so it was easy to get inspiration for both words and vocal ideas, and I think it came out really well. Jeff is an amazing musician and I’m really looking forward to hearing the final album. Also, in the collaborative spirit, I got him to lay down a solo for my own new album.” – states Ihsahn.

It’s been a week since I returned from the Double Titans Tour in Japan, playing three shows with The Haunted and Leprous. Personally I am not so good at documenting my traveling, but luckily the Leprous guys have an eager and personal documentary style, so you can check out how they view the world on the video above and their blog.

Many thanks to the fantastic people organizing this tour, and also to Leprous, The Haunted, my tour manager Håkon Grav and last but not least the Japanese fans for making this one of the best tour experiences I ever had!

- Ihsahn

IHSAHN will play at the ProgPower USA Festival this late summer. Accompanied with the guys in Leprous, they will play in Atlanta Friday the 16th of September.

“I am very excited to get the opportunity to play at ProgPower. My backing band, Leprous, played the festival last year and had a fantastic time. Given the nature of my solo-material, I believe this festival will be a great place to present it live. I have already performed at several festivals/shows in Europe in 2009/2010 and will do a few more this year, ” Ihsahn says.

“I have been a long time fan of Devin and his work, and when he asked me to do some vocals for his upcoming Deconstruction album, I said yes right away. Devin is one of those few uncompromising artists who goes anywhere with their music, wherever that takes them. Nothing but respect!”, Ihsahn states.