All Reviews
I - Between Two Worlds
Release: 2006Label: Nuclear Blast
By: AvNatten
Posted: Feb 15, 2007
One of the latest bands from cold frost bitten Norway to rear its ugly head is the much heralded I. In my opinion the band could have spent a little more time developing a more original, standout band moniker but hey, if they are happy with it, then we all just have to accept it. The members of the band are pulled from some of Norway’s most elite offerings such as Gorgoroth, Enslaved, and most notably the now defunct Immortal. The stylized I that adorns the CD cover and everything else the band puts their stamp on is the very same I that we have looked upon countless times when observing the now departed bands logo so Immortal fans will feel right at home with "Between Two Worlds" gripped in their eager little hands.
Gone is the corpse paint and in its place is some straight forward blackened heavy metal with influences ranging from Motörhead to Kiss that is scathing and churning yet still catchy enough to have the riffs stuck in your head. Abbath's vocal delivery is somewhat similar to how things were heading in the last album that Immortal presented us with but they have been slowed down a bit to a pace that is easier for people who may not necessarily be into black metal to get a grasp on as well as making the lyrics easier to decipher. The lyrical content is still the same icy cold battle ready fare that we have come to expect from Demonaz, who contributed the lyrics to this beast.
Musically this disc has an over pouring of talent. Abbath and Ice Dale churn out guitar hooks and leads that are no less than superb. Although the guitar play is rather simple and they stray from lengthy solos there is so much life in their playing that you just have to sit down and enjoy what they have to offer. After many repeated listenings, the tracks may start loosing their steam but they have been structured very well and the good parts always outweigh the slightly boring segments.
When the disc kicks off with 'The Storm I Ride' you are instantly propelled into their cold dark world and it gives you a taste of what the following tracks have in store for you. This track to me sounds like "Sons Of Northern Darkness" era Immortal has been thrown into a blender with Motörhead. Abbath's well paced rasp can be very reminiscent of Lemmy at times. Also making an appearance on this disc is fellow Immortal alumni Armagedda who makes a fine appearance behind the drums.
This is a fine album and a worthy addition to the Norwegian metal scene but it isn’t an earth shaking ground breaking release that we should hold our breath for. These tracks are what we have come to expect from Abbath and co. but they do deliver them well and with a finesse that only they can add. It will be interesting to see what I has in store for us in the future.
Gone is the corpse paint and in its place is some straight forward blackened heavy metal with influences ranging from Motörhead to Kiss that is scathing and churning yet still catchy enough to have the riffs stuck in your head. Abbath's vocal delivery is somewhat similar to how things were heading in the last album that Immortal presented us with but they have been slowed down a bit to a pace that is easier for people who may not necessarily be into black metal to get a grasp on as well as making the lyrics easier to decipher. The lyrical content is still the same icy cold battle ready fare that we have come to expect from Demonaz, who contributed the lyrics to this beast.
Musically this disc has an over pouring of talent. Abbath and Ice Dale churn out guitar hooks and leads that are no less than superb. Although the guitar play is rather simple and they stray from lengthy solos there is so much life in their playing that you just have to sit down and enjoy what they have to offer. After many repeated listenings, the tracks may start loosing their steam but they have been structured very well and the good parts always outweigh the slightly boring segments.
When the disc kicks off with 'The Storm I Ride' you are instantly propelled into their cold dark world and it gives you a taste of what the following tracks have in store for you. This track to me sounds like "Sons Of Northern Darkness" era Immortal has been thrown into a blender with Motörhead. Abbath's well paced rasp can be very reminiscent of Lemmy at times. Also making an appearance on this disc is fellow Immortal alumni Armagedda who makes a fine appearance behind the drums.
This is a fine album and a worthy addition to the Norwegian metal scene but it isn’t an earth shaking ground breaking release that we should hold our breath for. These tracks are what we have come to expect from Abbath and co. but they do deliver them well and with a finesse that only they can add. It will be interesting to see what I has in store for us in the future.
Rating: 9/10
Back
All content Copyright 1999-2006 Nocturnalhorde.com. Powered By...
