10 Best Heavy Metal Live Bands Of 2018
7. Ihsahn
It is a very rare thing to spot the elusive Ihsahn out in the wild. The Norwegian prog/black metal icon is far from a frequent road warrior, only embarking on very short and exclusive tours. However, in 2018, fans in Europe have had not one, but two opportunities to witness this master perform in a live setting.
First, Ihsahn toured as the frontman of Emperor over the summer to conclude the band’s Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk twentieth-anniversary shows. Despite limiting themselves solely to festival slots, their intense sets – during which they played Anthems… in full – added a newly visceral dimension to one of the greatest black metal albums of all time.
Emperor’s run concluded in August, but Ihsahn returned with a European trek in November, promoting his solo latest album, Ámr. Flanked by new band members, his tour through the clubs of the continent excelled by highlighting Ihsahn’s musicial diversity, from black metal scorchers to hard rock ballads to experimental compositions.
Whether it’s with Emperor or his own material, Ihsahn is truly one of the greatest live performers of 2018.