Immortal

Artist: Immortal
Country of origin: Norway
Location: Os/Bergen, Hordaland
Status: Active
Formed in: 1991
Years active: 1991-2003, 2006-2015, 2015-present
Genre: Black Metal
Lyrical themes: Grimness, Winter, War, Winterdemons, Blashyrkh
Current label: Nuclear Blast





Members:
Demonaz: Guitars (1991-1997, 2016-present), Lyrics (1991-2003, 2006-2015, 2015-present), Vocals (2016-present)
Horgh: Drums (1996-2003, 2006-2015, 2015-present)
Apollyon: Bass (2006-2015, 2015-present)




Euronymous of Mayhem is credited for getting Abbath Doom Occulta into black metal and as a result, Abbath getting Varg Vikernes (Burzum) into black metal as well. Despite these associations, Immortal's primary members have never been involved in the more controversial activities of some of their contemporaries in the second wave of black metal. Their lyrics have also never involved the religious or political ideologies often associated with the scene to any great extent, instead being concerned with darkness and evil in a fantasy setting.

Co-founder Demonaz Doom Occulta left the band in 1997 due to severe tendinitis in his arms that prevented him from playing the guitar. He has continued to write lyrics and has occasionally served as manager for Immortal since.

In 2003 Abbath, Demonaz, and Horgh decided to stop working with Immortal due to personal reasons. Abbath started playing in a Motörhead cover band called Bömbers, together with Tore Bratseth (Old Funeral, Desekrator) and Pez, and also started the more traditional metal band I.

Immortal reformed in June 2006 and later released one more album All Shall Fall but in March 2015 the band split-up once again due to disagreement between the members. Abbath went on to record a new album under his own name.

The band was reactivated again in August 2015, and features a lineup of Demonaz and Horgh. The justification for this was that because Abbath failed to secure the trademark to the band's name and was also pursuing his new solo project, Demonaz was free to use the Immortal moniker.

Compilation Appearances:
 - "Pure Holocaust" on Blackend: The Black Metal Compilation Volume 1 2CD (Death Records, 1995)
 - "To Walk the Infernal Fields" on Darkthrone Holy Darkthrone (Moonfog Productions, 1999)
 - "From the Dark Past" on A Tribute to Mayhem: Originators of the Northern Darkness (Avantgarde Music, 2011)

Discography:

  The Northern Upins Death (1991)

Album: Immortal
Type: Demo
Release date: July 1991
Catalog ID: N/A
Label: Independent
Format: Cassette, Limited edition
MP3 | 192Kbps | 11:48 | 16,2Mb

Tracklist:
Single-sided 
1. Suffocate the Masses  03:56   
2. Enslaved in Rot  04:21   
3. Left on the Stake  04:17   
4. Outro  00:36   instrumental 

Contrary to popular knowledge, Immortal has released only one demo, and it's untitled.
This demo is also often referred to by fans as "Suffocate" or "Suffocate the Masses".

The primary source of confusion over its title is the cover. The name of Dead's drawing is "The Northern Upir's Death", but even the drawing is commonly misnamed, mistaken for "The Northern Upins Death" due to Dead's style of handwriting. An Upir is a type of vampire from Slavic folklore.

The artwork of this demo was also re-used when the cassette promos for the Immortal EP were released.

It is unclear whether "Outro" is on the original tape, or if it was simply included later by bootleggers - the cover does not mention the track, either way.

It is also unclear whether the demo was recorded live or not. Gamle Slaktehuset is a combined live venue and youth center in Haugesund.

Immortal played death metal on this tape. At least one riff was later used for their early album material.

Recorded at Gamle Slaktehuset, 5th July, 1991.
Produced by Immortal.

  Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism (1992)

Album: Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism
Type: Full-length
Release date: July 1st, 1992
Catalog ID: OPCD 007
Label: Osmose Productions
Format: CD
MP3 | 128Kbps | 34:53 | 32,2Mb

Tracklist:
1. Intro  01:35   instrumental
2. The Call of the Wintermoon  05:40
3. Unholy Forces of Evil  04:28
4. Cryptic Winterstorms  06:08
5. Cold Winds of Funeral Dust  03:47
6. Blacker than Darkness  04:17
7. A Perfect Vision of the Rising Northland  09:04

Re-releases:
 2005: Vinyl re-issue on Osmose (Lim 1000).
 2010: Vinyl re-issue on Osmose
 - splatter (277 copies)
 - A/B side colors (300 copies)
 - black vinyl

A video was also made for "The Call of the Wintermoon".

Trivia: on the back side of the CD/Tape-version, the track "Cold Winds of Funeral Dust" is misspelled as "Cold Winds of Feneral Dust". The intro is also not mentioned on cover.

Warning - Osmose CD presses from February 2001 up to around 2005 may contain a copy-protection method which renders the CD completely unreadable in PCs and certain modern Hi-Fi systems. This isn't indicated anywhere on the packaging.

Recorded at Grieghallen Studios in April 1992.
Photos by Immortal.

  Pure Holocaust (1993)

Album: Pure Holocaust
Type: Full-length
Release date: November 1st, 1993
Catalog ID: OPCD 019
Label: Osmose Productions
Format: CD
MP3 | 192Kbps | 33:46 | 46,4Mb

Tracklist:
1. Unsilent Storms in the North Abyss  03:14
2. A Sign for the Norse Hordes to Ride  02:35
3. The Sun No Longer Rises  04:20
4. Frozen by Icewinds  04:40
5. Storming Through Red Clouds and Holocaustwinds  04:40
6. Eternal Years on the Path to the Cemetary Gates  03:30
7. As the Eternity Opens  05:31
8. Pure Holocaust  05:17

Although Erik is credited as a drummer in the booklet (and he was responsible for the instrument on subsequent live shows), drums on this recording were done by Abbath.

Some spelling mistakes can be found on the original disc:
1) Track no . 1 is listed as " The Unsilent Storms In The North Abbyss" ... instead of "abyss". Also no 'The' on the back cover/booklet.
2) Track no.2 "A Sign For The Norse Horde To Ride" ... instead of "hordes"
3) Track no.4 "Frozen by ice winds" ..."icewinds" on back insert/booklet.
4) Track no.7 listed as "The eternaty opens" ...instead of 'As the eternity opens".

Warning - Osmose CD presses from February 2001 up to around 2005 may contain a copy-protection method which renders the CD completely unreadable in PCs and certain modern Hi-Fi systems. This isn't indicated anywhere on the packaging.

A music video was made for "Unsilent Storms in the North Abyss".

Recorded in Grieghallen studio in 1993.
Co-produced by Immortal.
Executive production: Osmose Productions.

  Battles in the North (1995)

Album: Battles in the North
Type: Full-length
Release date: 1995
Catalog ID: OPCD 027
Label: Osmose Productions
Format: CD, Digipak
MP3 | 192Kbps | 35:39 | 49,9Mb

Tracklist:
1. Battles in the North  04:12
2. Grim and Frostbitten Kingdoms  02:47
3. Descent into Eminent Silence  03:10
4. Throned by Blackstorms  03:39
5. Moonrise Fields of Sorrow  02:25
6. Cursed Realms of the Winterdemons  03:59
7. At the Stormy Gates of Mist  03:00
8. Through the Halls of Eternity  03:36
9. Circling Above in Time Before Time  03:56
10. Blashyrkh (Mighty Ravendark)  04:34

Exclusively "Battled" by Abbath and Demonaz.
Executive production: Osmose Productions '95.

The tracklisting on the original CD is incorrect. The correct listing is shown here.

The promo and first version of the album suffered from a bad mix, consequently receiving terrible reviews in press. Due to this, a better mix was issued to replace the original - this version is the one most commonly heard and distributed.

CD versions:
• Original jewelcase
• Digipack (two different versions exist; one with an embossed logo and title, and one without)
• Limited edition jewelcase (includes slipcover and fold-out poster, as well as the 1991 EP as bonus tracks).

Warning - Osmose CD presses from February 2001 up to around 2005 may contain a copy-protection method which renders the CD completely unreadable in PCs and certain modern Hi-Fi systems. This isn't indicated anywhere on the packaging.

Vinyl info:
• 1998 (Picture LP, limited edition)
• 2005 (Osmose Productions, limited to 1000 copies)
• 2010 (Osmose Productions, black vinyl)

Reissued on limited edition deluxe cassette by (#invalid label link ID#) in 2014. Limited to 100 copies on black and white tapes. Each comes with a set of 3 buttons and a colour card.

Music videos were made for "Blashyrkh (Mighty Ravendark)" and "Grim and Frostbitten Kingdoms".

All lyrics by Demonaz, except "Circling Above in Time Before Time" by Abbath.
Recorded and mixed in Grieghallen Studio, September 1994.

  Blizzard Beasts (1997)

Album: Blizzard Beasts
Type: Full-length
Release date: February 24th, 1997
Catalog ID: OPCD 051
Label: Osmose Productions
Format: CD
MP3 | 192Kbps | 28:56 | 49,9Mb

Tracklist:
1. Intro  01:00  instrumental
2. Blizzard Beasts  02:49
3. Nebular Ravens Winter  04:13
4. Suns That Sank Below  02:47
5. Battlefields  03:40
6. Mountains of Might  06:38
7. Noctambulant  02:22
8. Winter of the Ages  02:33
9. Frostdemonstorm  02:54

The final album to feature Demonaz on guitar, due to a repetitive strain injury.

On the first press, logo was printed / engraved in the cd-case front.
This version does not list the intro on either the inlay or the booklet, but the track is still included.

2005: Gatefold vinyl re-issue on Osmose limited to 1000 copies.
2010: Vinyl re-issue on Osmose, black vinyl limited to 800 copies, blue transparent to 210 & transparent to 97.

Warning - Osmose CD presses from February 2001 up to around 2005 may contain a copy-protection method which renders the CD completely unreadable in PCs and certain modern Hi-Fi systems. This isn't indicated anywhere on the packaging.

Reissued on limited edition deluxe cassette by Never Dead in 2014. Limited to 50 copies on black tapes and 50 copies on smoky black tapes. Each comes with two buttons and a sticker. Hand-numbered. (NEVER004)

Recorded at Sigma Recording Studios in September / November 1996.
Co-produced by Immortal.

  At the Heart of Winter (1999)

Album: At the Heart of Winter
Type: Full-length
Release date: February 22nd, 1999
Catalog ID: OPCD 079
Label: Osmose Productions
Format: CD, Picture disc
MP3 | 128Kbps | 46:06 | 42,2Mb

Tracklist:
1. Withstand the Fall of Time  08:30
2. Solarfall  06:02
3. Tragedies Blows at Horizon  08:56
4. Where Dark and Light Don't Differ  06:45
5. At the Heart of Winter  08:00
6. Years of Silent Sorrow  07:54

Black/blue picture CD with white lettering. Neither title nor tracklist are printed on the disc.

Warning - Osmose CD presses from February 2001 up to around 2005 may contain a copy-protection method which renders the CD completely unreadable in PCs and certain modern Hi-Fi systems. This isn't indicated anywhere on the packaging.

2005: Vinyl re-issue on Osmose limited to 1000 copies.

Recorded in the "Abyss" studios, Sweden during november 1998.

  Damned in Black (2000)

Album: Damned in Black
Type: Full-length
Release date: March 27th, 2000
Catalog ID: OPCD 095 / OPCDL 095
Label: Osmose Productions
Format: CD
MP3 | 128Kbps | 36:42 | 33,6Mb

Tracklist:
1. Triumph  05:41
2. Wrath from Above  05:46
3. Against the Tide (In the Arctic World)  06:03
4. My Dimension  04:32
5. The Darkness That Embrace Me  04:38
6. In Our Mystic Visions Blest  03:11
7. Damned in Black  06:52

Original 2000 Osmose Productions vinyl edition limited to 1500 hand-numbered copies.
There exists also a limited edition to 15000 copies in a cardboard box and a limited edition digipack.

2005: Gatefold vinyl re-issue on Osmose limited to 1000 copies.
2010: Vinyl re-issue on Osmose
 - black vinyl limited to 500 copies.
 - Opaque red vinyl limited to 300 copies.
 - Black and red opaque vinyl limited to 200 copies.

Warning - Osmose CD presses from February 2001 up to around 2005 may contain a copy-protection method which renders the CD completely unreadable in PCs and certain modern Hi-Fi systems. This isn't indicated anywhere on the packaging.

Recorded during October 1999 and beginning of February 2000 at Abyss Studios, Sweden.

  Sons of Northern Darkness (2002)

Album: Sons of Northern Darkness
Type: Full-length
Release date: February 4th, 2002
Catalog ID: NB 612-2 / 27361 66122
Label: Nuclear Blast
Format: CD
MP3 | 192Kbps | 50:12 | 69Mb

Tracklist:
1. One by One  05:00
2. Sons of Northern Darkness  04:47
3. Tyrants  06:19
4. Demonium  03:57
5. Within the Dark Mind  07:32
6. In My Kingdom Cold  07:17
7. Antarctica  07:13
8. Beyond the North Waves  08:07

A music video for "One by One" was made with live footage in Wacken.

Recorded and mixed at Abyss Studios, September 2001.

  All Shall Fall (2009)

Album: All Shall Fall
Type: Full-length
Release date: September 25th, 2009
Catalog ID: NB 2303-2 / 27361 23032
Label: Nuclear Blast
Format: CD
MP3 | 224Kbps | 40:15 | 64,5Mb

Tracklist:
1. All Shall Fall  05:58
2. The Rise of Darkness  05:47
3. Hordes to War  04:32
4. Norden on Fire  06:15
5. Arctic Swarm  04:01
6. Mount North  05:07
7. Unearthly Kingdom  08:30

The "Blashyrkh Limited Edition Bag" version of "All Shall Fall" includes:
 - Digipak version of "All Shall Fall"
 - Logo t-shirt
 - Abbath's replica battle axe in the form of a stainless steel pendant
 - Four buttons
 - Double-sided poster
 - Special black Immortal plastic bag

A music video was made for "All Shall Fall".

Recorded in Grieghallen and Abyss Studios, Sweden in April 2009.
Mastered at Black Lounge Studios.

  The Seventh Date of Blashyrkh (2010)

Album: The Seventh Date of Blashyrkh
Type: Video
Release date: August 6th, 2010
Catalog ID: NB 2511-0
Label: Nuclear Blast
Format: DVD
AVI | 640x360 | 01:09:56 | 806Mb

Tracklist:
1. Intro  02:29  instrumental
2. The Sun No Longer Rises  05:06
3. Withstand the Fall of Time  09:00
4. Sons of Northern Darkness  04:48
5. Tyrants  07:33
6. One by One  05:26
7. Wrath from Above  05:36
8. Unholy Forces of Evil  06:57
9. Unsilent Storms in the North Abyss  03:13
10. At the Heart of Winter  08:10
11. Battles in the North  05:22
12. Blashyrkh (Mighty Ravendark)  06:16

Produced by Immortal, Recorded at Wacken Open Air, August 2007.
Sound Mixed in Abyss Studio
Mastered at Blacklounge

Download (Discography)