CD Review
This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010.
These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins.
Artist : Immortal
Album : All Shall Fall (2009 Nuclear Blast)
Tracks : 7
Artist website : http://www.immortalofficial.com/
OVERVIEW
This is a review of the eighth full-length album from the Norwegian black metal band, Immortal. Prior to hearing the material on this album, we have not heard of this band.
Overall the music seems to have some nice melodic themes but the semi-grunted vocals take away from the harmonic structure. The energy was great through out the album which made up for the poor mix. I found the mix to be very unbalanced and lacking clarity in many places. The vocals feel like they are thoroughly buried in the mix. Even the drums lack definition in the mix.
HIGHLIGHTS :
Norden on Fire, Unearthly Kingdom
PLAY BY PLAY
Track 1 – All Shall Fall
Really dark. The vocals are practically buried under the wall of sound. Nice riffs though.
Track 2 – The Rise of Darkness
I really like the energy on this one.
Track 3 – Hordes to War
Wow! Talk about fast blast beats. Very good energy. The vocals are still weak, but the drums have a bit more definition on this track, not much, but it’s better than the first two tracks.
Track 4 – Norden on Fire
Great energy again. Best mix so far out of all the tracks.
Track 5 – Arctic Swarm
Very driving and heavy. Cool track.
Track 6 – Mount North
There’s an improvement in the mix here too.
Track 7 – Unearthly Kingdom
The clearest mix yet. I wish the earlier tracks on the album were this clear.