Radio Metal has published an interview with former EMPEROR frontman IHSAHN, in which he reveals the secrets of his new album, After, and explains his musical evolution and his vision of black metal.

The following is an excerpt:

Q: The name After seems to symbolise a rupture. Is this a way to make it clear that you will never be returning to the past and make another pure black metal record or reform Emperor? What is the statement behind this title?

A: "It’s not something as concrete as that. I see my three first solo albums as a trilogy and the two first ones, The Adversary and angL, are really two of the same kind. They are very confrontational, direct and in many ways contemporary. After, however, has a much more observational perspective and is an almost post-apocalyptic concept to end this trilogy. For example, I have gone back to doing more landscape descriptions. I feel that it is less human in a way. There is also a personal level about coming to an end with Emperor and yet I was trying not to be so distant from this. There is no message in the trilogy, yet the two previous albums probably had a stronger message about fighting for my individuality. After is a lot more at ease. The last song on the album has a saxophone solo that lasts for over two minutes; I am in a place where it feels right and so I decided to do it. The result created for this album is that I am a lot more relaxed and I no longer over think things so that things can come more naturally now."

Read the full interview at this location.

After is currently streaming online at this location.

Ihsahn was interviewed last week by WSCA 106.1 FM's Black Night Meditations. Topics discussed include the new album After, songwriting, album promotion, live performance and recording, Emperor worship, and more.

To listen to or download the 45-minute discussion, go to this location.

Ihsahn's new album, After, is now available via Candlelight Records.

After tracklisting:

'The Barren Lands'

'A Grave Inversed'

'After'

'"Frozen Lakes On Mars'

'Undercurrent'

'Austere'

'Heavens Black Sea'

'On The Shores'