Ihsahn | Guitar World

“My headless six-string is the color of Hannibal Lecter’s couch… and I have an Oxblood Red model inspired by his office!” How Ihsahn combined horror scores, blastbeats and space-age guitars for a black metal album to eclipse ’em all

By Amit Sharma published 7 March 24

As the Emperor icon returns with the most ambitious album of his career, he dropped by to discuss his fierce picking speed, the influence of film scores, and why you don't need as much distortion as you think

Matt Heafy recruits My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way on epic new Ibaraki single, Rōnin

By Sam Roche published 25 March 22

The nine-minute track is the third from Heafy's solo side project, and again features Emperor guitarist Ihsahn

Matt Heafy recruits Emperor's Ihsahn for first single from long-awaited black-metal project Ibaraki

By Jackson Maxwell published 21 January 22

Tamashii No Houkai is topped off by a breathtaking solo from Ihsahn, who has also taken on a role as Ibaraki's producer

Ihsahn: “I have never tried to be progressive, as in being technical or difficult.”

Ihsahn: “I am not a very technical guitar player - progressive is more a mentality”

By Jonathan Horsley published 2 April 20

The Norwegian black-metal trailblazer on why playing prog is about thinking big, not shredding hard…

Left-Hand Path: Exploring the Extended Range of the Eight-String Guitar

By Ihsahn published 2 January 19

Ihsahn teaches you how to explore the range and new challenges offered up by an eight-string guitar.

Nine Questions (and Answers!) with Ihsahn

By Richard Bienstock published 18 December 18

"You should play guitar for yourself." Emperor's Ihsahn sits down for a Q&A with Guitar World.

Ihsahn Playthrough Videos: "My Heart Is of the North" and "Frozen Lakes on Mars"

By Guitar World Staff published 10 May 16

Founding Emperor guitarist (and former Guitar World columnist) Ihsahn has just unveiled two new playthrough videos.

Magnificent Seven: The 10 Greatest Seven-String Guitar Songs of All Time

By Josh Hart, Compiled by Guitar World Staff published 14 May 13

Why ain’t six strings enough? This was the question we posed to one of guitar's all-time greats in our September 2012 cover story.

Interview: Ihsahn Answers Readers' Questions on Gear, Songwriting, 'Eremita' and More

By Brad Angle published 10 September 12

Dear Guitar Hero: Ihsahn

By Brad Angle, Photo by Jimmy Hubbard published 7 August 12

Exclusive Premiere: Listen to Ihsahn's New Single "Introspection"

By Guitar World Staff published 29 May 12

Be among the first to hear this new track from black metal legend Ihsahn's forthcoming CD, Eremita.

Dear Guitar Hero: Submit Your Questions for Ihsahn!

By Guitar World Staff published 10 May 12

Here's your chance to ask the founding Emperor guitarist and progressive black metal pioneer anything you want.

Release Date for Ihsahn’s 'Eremita' Confirmed

By Guitar World Staff published 4 April 12

Ihsahn to Guest on New Jeff Loomis Solo Album

By Josh Hart published 26 January 12

Ihsahn is the latest guest musician confirmed to be appearing on the upcoming new solo effort from former Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis.

Art of Shredding: Ihsahn

By Photo by Jimmy Hubbard published 14 March 11

The Norwegian black metal legend gives his thoughts on shred guitar.

Ihsahn: On 'After', 8-Strings and Achieving Post-Apocalyptic Sounds

By By Henry Yuan published 28 October 10

The former Emperor mainman discusses how he created the progressive, foreboding sounds on his latest solo record 'After.'

Left-Hand Path: Ihsahn - Shape Shifter, Moving Arpeggiated Chord Shapes [2/2010]

By By Ihsahn published 18 June 10

Ex-Emperor frontman Ihsahn issues his second video lesson from his popular Guitar World column.

Left-Hand Path: Ihsahn - The Devil In the Details, Execution Revisited [1/2010]

By By Ihsahn published 10 May 10

Ex-Emperor frontman Ihsahn issues his first video lesson from his popular Guitar World column.

Hear It First: Ihsahn "Frozen Lakes On Mars" [World Exclusive]

By Guitar World Staff published 2 November 09

Be among the first people to preview the debut single, "Frozen Lakes on Mars," from ex-Emperor frontman Ihsahn's forthcoming solo record, After.

Ihsahn: Emperor of the North

By by Brad Angle published 14 August 09

His influential black metal band may have reached the end of its line, but with his new solo album, angL , former Emperor guitarist Ihsahn continues his reign as Norway's progressive metal monarch.