IMMORTAL — All Shall Fall (review)

IMMORTAL — All Shall Fall album cover Album · 2009 · Black Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
All Shall Fall is the 8th full-length studio album and the first in 7 years since Sons of Northern Darkness (2002) by Norwegian black metal act Immortal. Immortal split-up in 2003 and only reformed in 2006, so the 7 year recording break is understandable. All Shall Fall was released by Nuclear Blast Records in September 2009.

The music on the album is black metal with some traditional heavy metal and thrash metal elements. The tempo is mostly mid-paced but occasionally fast ( no blast beating as far as I recall). A song like Hordes of War is one of the few faster paced tracks on the album. It´s very much rooted in blackened eighties thrash metal. A powerful track that one. Most of the other tracks on the album are more mid-paced and majestic. As always the lyrics are written by Demonaz and primarely evolve around cold and dark nature. The band is a three-piece consisting of Abbath on vocals and guitars, Apollyon on bass and Horgh on drums. While there are nothing really challenging going on in the music, the musicianship is still impeccable. A tight playing unit. Abbath croaks and rasps his way through the album in ususal black metal vocal style but there´s something about his voice that makes him stand out a bit. Maybe an ounce of melody or maybe just the way he phrases his words, but it sounds great to my ears. The album is one long journey in excellence IMO, and it continues to grow on me with every listen. Every song on the album stand out and are memorable. Right from the three strong tracks that open the album to the majestic ending track Unearthly Kingdom, I´m not only greatly entertained I also have trouble not banging my head constantly. Not in a wild uncontrolled way but more in a "Hell Yeah" kind of way that signals my enjoyment with this album.

The production is excellent and suits the music perfectly. I couldn´t wish for a better sound.

All Shall Fall is a great album by Immortal and while old school black metal fans might miss a blast beat or two, they certainly won´t miss dark and cold atmosphere or heavy mid-paced and majestic riffing. A deserved 4 star rating that I´m considering upgrading to a 4.5 in time.
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Vehemency wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Still haven't listened to this. I guess I should...

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