Sons of Northern Darkness
Sons of Northern Darkness shows how accessible an aggressive metal record can become when its riffs are strong enough. Immortal retains the harsh voice, fast drums and dark atmosphere while giving the songs clear shapes. You do not need to understand every small detail to connect with this music immediately.
One by One opens with a forceful attack. Its guitar parts remain recognisable alongside the rapid drums. Horgh supplies the pressure, while Abbath provides the biting voice and riffs. The full but clear sound makes their interplay easy to follow. The title track also connects speed with a strong rhythmic appeal.
Tyrants then proves that the band need not continually push harder. Its slower movement gives the melodies more weight. Guitar layers add depth while the music retains its threatening character. That difference in pace makes the aggression of the faster material register more strongly.
Beyond the North Waves gives the ending a broader, more sombre character. Its slow guitar movement and melodic development suggest triumph with a distinctly melancholy side. It makes a convincing conclusion by developing the record's atmosphere rather than simply adding one final attack.
Not every extended piece maintains tension equally well. In My Kingdom Cold and Antarctica could have been more direct with less repetition. The familiar approach does not change fundamentally either. However, that rarely becomes a serious problem. Immortal connects powerful playing with riffs worth remembering and lets the atmosphere emerge from the music itself. Sons of Northern Darkness works both as a strong introduction and as an especially convincing demonstration of what this band does well.
