ICS Vortex – Storm Seeker

First of all, we have the first post-Dimmu Borgir era work from ICS Vortex. What should we expect? A symphonic black album metal perhaps? The answer is : No. ICS Vortex returns  to avant-garde paths of metal music, as he did  at the old times in Arcturus (“Sideshow Symphonies”) and in Borknagar (“The Archaic Course” and “Quintessence”). In my opinion, he did a wise choice because his voice fits perfectly in avant-garde and progressive metal and this is justified by the great success of Arcturus and Borknagar’s albums and “Storm Seeker” is pretty close to these albums.
Unlike the Dimmu Borgir’s period where he had secondary role and a participation in a mediocre album (“In Sorte Diaboli”) ,here, ICS Vortex does what he knows best, great vocals!Except of Vortex who wrote the music and does the vocals, the line-up consist of experienced members for this kind of metal music,  such as Asgeir Mickelson (ex-Borknagar, ex-Ihsahn), Steinar Gundersen (Sarke), Cyrus at tracks 1,2 and 7 (Sarke and Susperia) and Jens Ryland (Borknagar). This has as result to be “Storm Seeker” a very good album with the energetic high-class vocals of Vortex.
The whole album has 11 songs . More specifically, “The Blackmobile” that starts the album is a very catchy song and wins immediately the listener. Basically from this song starts the storm of Vortex’s voice. Very powerful and at some points when Vortex catch the high notes you get more than satisfied! Also the riffs are very catchy and if you combine them with the solo and some sound effects at the beginning you think that this music came from outer space. It’s just the perfect song to start the album. At “Odin’s Tree” you get back to the time when Borknagar released “Quintessence”. Black metal riffs with avant-garde vocals, what more can someone ask? Also you can find tracks with north folkloric influences. These tracks are “Skoal!” and “Dogsmacked” and I dare to tell that are close to Εnslaved’s music.
The next track is “Aces”. Ok, now the things get serious. I can’t imagine that this music is written by a human being. This is the most mature track of the album, for sure. The guitars are more than perfect with heavy riffs and with melody too. It’s the song with the contrasts: It’s dark but if you add the vocals of Vortex it also gets some power and has a dynamic effect at the end. And at the next song “Windward” the band  follows the same way with the “Aces”. Another great songs from this album, for me, are “When Shuffled Off”and “Fleakesripper”. A melancholic atmosphere dominates on this song. The guitar slow down, Vortex’s voice has a sad attitude and clouds are gathering in the sky. Appropriate for the days that you aren’t in the mood. On the other hand “Oil in Water” and the homonym song haven’t something specific to stay on these and  instrumental “The Sub Mariner” is quite uninterested.
So, in conclusion, this album is very good and worth listening to. It has such amazing songs that are bringing back memories. The Arcturus and Borknagar’s fans must be very happy of “Storm Seeker”. The truth is that I also like the album, but the fact is that it’s his first work, so allow me to be mindful.