Ihsahn’s 2008 solo LP, “angL” is a highly polished, well produced work of both classic and progressive black metal. Although there are some tracks that interweave both styles within, most of the songs are either one or the other. “Misanthrope”, “Malediction”, and “Monolith” feature all of the classic elements of black metal including playing style and arrangement. “Monolith” is the exceptional track due to its full bodied bass lead that kicks off a cool rhythm riff that stays on top all the way to the outro. From the progressive side of the metal fence lies the best cut from the album: “Unhealer”. It’s not enough that the guest vocalist is Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth, but that the track musically bears his signature as well with sweeping soft interludes and an advanced solo section makes it that much better. Out of that the sonic high point is the chorus itself with the two vocalists trading off lines in an unholy alliance of black and death. Another great track high in variety is “Elevator”. Four parts with three movements of different speeds, the lead work is impressive including the underlined phrasing at its refrain. Hard or soft, fast or slow, a common writing stance on “angL” is a minimum of embellishment with appearances both short or restricted to breaks. “Scarab” has a piano break, “Threnody” is introduced with accoustic guitar, and any synthesizer that appears is usually relegated to back up chorus duty like “Alchemist” and “Elevator”. That means that the songs in general are not complex, although they are advanced by design. What “angL” is in essence is a well recorded, slick, sterling silver work of art with an evolved level of songwriting. The only negative observation that could be made about “angL” is that its split personality leaves no imprint of dominance. Ihsahn’s “angL” is not a spectacular record, but it is very, very good.