Vortex, ICS: Storm Seeker

When symphonic metal juggernauts Dimmu Borgir announced the dismissal of Simen 'ICS Vortex' Hestnæs from the ranks, speculation ran rampant of the future endeavours of the talented Viking, whose clean vocals came to symbolize a vital part of the Dimmu sound for many. A year later, Hestnæs announced Storm Seeker, his debut solo release, promising a diverse blend of elements with his unique vocal talents taking the helm. While the album does live up to the eclecticist expectations, this very lack of focus in the album's approach sells it short of being the monumental release it could have been.

Storm Seeker begins on a high note, with the one-two punch of "The Blackmobile" and "Odin's Tree". While the latter brings in folk influences with a more subdued vocal delivery from Hestnæs, "The Blackmobile" dishes out a healthy dose of primal black metal melded with subtle 70s rock leanings, the trademark Vortex harmonized vocals soaring above. Unfortunately, the album takes a dip here and scarcely recovers, the remainder failing to echo even a trace of the passion of the opening duo, for most part. "Skoal!" sounds puzzlingly upbeat and awkwardly placed right after the majesty of "Odin's Tree", with Hestnæs' gratingly cheery vocals constituting a questionable aesthetic decision. Although the middle section of the album dives back into solemn, darker territory, the generally plodding pace saps the music of vitality and drive. The melancholic "Dogsmacked", the epic "Aces" and retro-sounding "Windward" are all enjoyable songs individually, but in the context of the album leech away at the overall flow and momentum of Storm Seeker, redeemed only by the excellent title track near the end.

The performances by Asgeir Mickelson on drums and Cyrus on additional lead guitars are commendable, Mickelson's nuanced, dynamic style adding his unique stamp of colour to the proceedings, while Cyrus' solos echo melodic, classic metal stylings. Unfortunately, ICS Vortex's vocals begin to detract from Storm Seeker's listenability through the course of the album. While his work in Borknagar exhibited his immense talents as a lead vocalist, his performance on Storm Seeker feels monotonous and lacking in diversity. While Hestnæs' more operatic, flamboyant style works as well as ever, his attempts at a more subdued delivery often sound lifeless and uneasy, further contributing to the flagging plod of the middle section of the album.

Storm Seeker, being ICS Vortex' first solo venture, seems to lack mostly in expertise of arrangement and pacing, evidenced by the fact that it's actually hard to find critical fault with any of the songs individually. Still, fans of Hestnæs' unmistakable vocal style will find the album enjoyable when taken more as a collection of songs than a work that flows from start to finish, and there's no denying that a majority of the tracks here will find themselves more at home in a live setting.

Track list:
1. The Blackmobile
2. Odin's Tree
3. Skoal!
4. Dogsmacked
5. Aces
6. Windward
7. When Shuffled Off
8. Oil In Water
9. Storm Seeker
10. Flaskeskipper
11. The Sub Mariner

Added: September 27th 2011
Reviewer: Daniel Rego
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
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Language: english

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