Ihsahn is the solo project of Norwegian musician Vegard Sverre Tveitan, who is born in 1975 and comes from Notodden, Norway. He works as a guitarist, bassist, keyboard player and vocalist, and is best known for his role in Emperor, one of the key Norwegian black metal bands.

Early life and musical background

Tveitan begins playing piano at seven and guitar at ten, and starts recording songs soon after. He grows up on a large farm in rural Norway. His musical interests draw on heavy metal, classical music, ambient and techno, and he is also described as a capable visual artist.

Emperor and early bands

At thirteen he meets Tomas Thormodsæter Haugen, known as Samoth, at a music seminar. In 1991 they form Thou Shalt Suffer, a death/black metal band in which Tveitan plays guitar and keyboards. The band issues several releases, and Tveitan remains the only member after Haugen leaves, continuing it as a side project.

After Haugen’s departure, the two form Emperor, with Tveitan on guitar, vocals and keyboards. Emperor develops a more refined black metal sound that also highlights his keyboard work. The band receives support from Euronymous of Mayhem, and after several demos releases In the Nightside Eclipse to acclaim. During a period when Haugen and Bård Eithun, known as Faust, are imprisoned, Tveitan retreats to family property and writes much of Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, which is recorded after Haugen’s parole. Emperor later releases IX Equilibrium and the final studio album Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise, which Tveitan composes entirely and which uses less synth than earlier work and more complex melodies. Emperor later makes a surprise return for a short set in Oslo and then reunites for selected shows in Europe and America.

Other projects and collaborations

In 1995 Tveitan plays synth on Zyklon-B’s Blood Must Be Shed, a release featuring members of Emperor and Satyricon. He also appears in Wongraven. In 1998 he forms Peccatum with his wife Heidi S. Tveitan, known as Ihriel. The project is highly experimental and uses his trademark synth sound alongside clean and black vocals. Over its run it issues five albums and EPs before ending in early 2006. He also appears in Hardingrock.

Solo work as Ihsahn

Tveitan’s solo project, Ihsahn, begins with The Adversary, released in 2006 on Mnemosyne Productions, the label he forms with Ihriel in 2003. The album is largely performed by him, with percussion by Asgeir Mickelson, and combines progressive metal with heavy metal, black metal and classical influences. A video is made for the track “Invocation”. His solo catalogue continues with Angl, After, Eremita, Das Seelnbrechen, Arktis and ÀMR.

He also contributes vocals to Devin Townsend Project’s Deconstruction.

Recognition

His professional honours include a 2001 Spellemann Award nomination and the 2003 Notodden City Cultural Award. His work also receives regular recognition in international metal and rock magazines.

Discography highlights

Thou Shalt Suffer

Into the Woods of Belial, Open the Mysteries of Your Creation, Somnium

Emperor

In the Nightside Eclipse, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, IX Equilibrium, Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise

Peccatum

Strangling from Within, Oh, My Regrets, Amor Fati, Lost in Reverie, The Moribund People

Ihsahn

The Adversary, Angl, After, Eremita, Das Seelnbrechen, Arktis, ÀMR