Track Listing

1. withstand the fall of time
2. Solarfall
3. Tragedies blows at horizon
4. Where dark and light dont differ
5. at the heart of winter
6. Years of silent sorrow

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32905 in Music
• Released on: 2006-04-04
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Album Description
This legendary band's first album, beginning their notoriety with a selection of absolute classics, including the epic 'The Call of the Wintermoon'. This set down the essential Immortal blueprint which they followed on the next three albums: speed on the edge of self-destruction, razor-sharp guitars which bite to the bone, lyrics which illustrated their own icebound world, and a sense of Northern melody which is completely their own. Bursting with Bathory influence, obviously, but still a classic true Norwegian black metal release.

Customer Reviews

Where winter beauty and winter carnage meet.
Now, I already reviewed the first version of this album, and being that it is in my top 5 favorite albums of all time, I figured I might as well add my review to the re-release. Also,don't mind the amazon review, that is for their first album released many years before this one.

Few albums come along in ones life where the music leaves you so speechless. For me, this is one of them. This is not only Immortal's best work in general but one of the greatest Black Metal albums ever to be released. Nothing can top Abbath's brutal riffs and his throat ripping vocals. The atmosphere of Darkthrone is here and the talent of Emperor. However, between all that makes this cd a masterpiece is some true beauty. Such as the main riff in Solarfall and the intro in At the Heart of Winter for a few examples. This is a true masterpiece of winter beauty and winter carnage.

1. Withstand the Fall of Time (8:29) The first track begins with a single riff before the rest joins in, while the riff not really memorable will grow on you. The first minute is spent gearing up before the song gets into full speed. About 3 and a half minutes into the song it slows down before getting a second wind about 4:15 into it and doesn't stop until the song quietly dies out. WOnderful opening track. I could not think of a better song to open up this album. 4.5/5

2. Solarfall (6:02) Immortal's best song of all time. A short drum roll falls in follwoed by one of my favorite riffs of all time then hell is broken loose upon an unsuspecting listener. The song does not let up for one second and has some of their best drumming as well. The vocals are enough to make you wish to conquer all you face. The vocals are almost dreadfully slow in a good way, almost like you wonder how he isn't tearing all of his vocal chords. The song slows down 2:20 into it with some slow drumming but soon returns with that crushing riff. Best song here. 25/5

3. Tragedies Blows At Horizon (8:55) This song is 8 minutes and 55 seconds of pure magic. It really starts up about 40 seconds into it and grabs you with hardened claws and refuses to let up. I love the way the guitar riff kicks in at 4:30 with nothing but a take no prisoners attitude. A real highlight on the album. 5/5

4. Where Dark and Light Don't Differ (6:45) The first song I heard on this album and it is a winner. The most thrash influenced track on this album has no mellow intro but just decides to come at you full force. The best drumming on the album appears here. The riff that kicks in at 1 minute is majestic and incredible. An epic track. 10/5

5. At the Heart of Winter (8:00) This song honestly makes you feel like you're walking into the front line of a war at the heart of a winter storm. This song runs on talent, emotion and an epic battle cry. The two minute intro can't even prepare you for what is to come. Then the rest of the song kicks in barreling down on you like an avalanche you know you can't escape. With guitar playing that just screams talent. The rest of the song continues the epic trail the first half of the song left us with. 20/5

6. Years of Silent Sorrow (7:53) Well, instead of ending this masterpiece on a quiet note. Abbath and crew decide to go out fighting. With one of the fastest songs on the album begins the drums tear through your ears. The guitar is pretty fast in an almost frantic fashion at certain times. "Dome in the sky black winds to taste
shadowed spirits lead my way...
Drifting everly alone years of silent sorrow
until I'm home... " With those words spoken the final song dies out leaving you only time to pick yourself up and try to comprehend the incredible album you just heard. 5/5

In conclusion, if you haven't stopped reading this yet and purchased this album. I recommend you do so right now. Enjoy.

A music fan from Ca. U.S.A.
This album is truly a masterpiece. Immortal has goneback to their heavy-metal roots. The songs are long and not complex as their previousalbums were. Different direction, not as fast as their older albums, but stillunmistakable Immortal. I trulyrecommend this album.

where dark and light don't differ
An excellent album by one of the titans of Scandinavian black metal, At The Heart Of Winter features what I consider to be Immortal's most solid line-up - Abbath on guitars (and pretty much everything else), and Horgh on drums. Horgh manages to maintain the tempos throughout, leaving Abbath free to concentrate on unleashing devastating blasts of distorted power. The production is also markedly improved over their previous efforts, and while those who consider themselves "tr00 kvlt" will no doubt bash this album for not having a "pure black metal sound", I think it fits the album very well. Why? Because Immortal had started to infuse their sound with elements of German thrash metal, and the enhanced production allows their updated guitar style to be heard in all its glory. Listen to the phenomenal riffage on "Solarfall" and "Where Dark And Light Don't Differ" for proof. On a more general note, the trademark Abbath "reptilian warlord from hell" croaked vocals are in fine form, and as usual, Immortal manages to inject beautiful melody and ambience amidst the carnage of whirlwind guitars and drums - check out the outro riff to "Withstand The Fall Of Time", "Solarfall" and "At The Heart Of Winter".

I consider this one of my three favorite Immortal albums, along with "Battles In The North" and "Sons Of Northern Darkness". It's well worth checking out.