I - Between Two Worlds - Nuclear Blast 2006
8 Songs
Running Time: 42:39
Unless I miss my guess, the opening riff of Between Two Worlds references KISS, the patron saints of Kubuki makeup, "The Storm I Ride" firmly planting both boots in the muck, mire, and ashen triumph of oldschool black 'n' roll. Instantly far more melodic and straightforward than anything blasted out by Immortal, this is not a new chapter of that band. This is I, and though the music contains a blunter, more direct attack, Abbath's vocals lose none of their Nordic frigidity,
tasteful leadwork from Ice Dale (aka Arve Isdal of Enslaved) blowing through the tempest like a shock of frozen white brilliance against the midnight sky. Ascending and descending chords are hoisted like battle flags atop the shoulders of "Warriors", one guitar featuring a near keyboard-like quality. Make no mistake, I isn't a misguided stab at commercial success; this is simply an older, wiser, more melodic assault. With four octaves lower and about two feet in stature of the vocalist, "Warriors" could've easily shown up on the new Amon Amarth, and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible, rest assured. The title track finds I striding forward in mid-paced majesty, the rumbling bass of TC King (ex-Gorgoroth/current Sahg & Audrey Horne) providing a sturdy foundation for the lyrics, provided for the album by Daemonaz (ex-Immortal). With a surprisingly full sound, "Between Two Worlds" is also where the Lemmy-worship of Abbath's pre-I Motorhead tribute band, Bombers, bleeds through most on the album. Staccato riffwork is the order of the day in the rampaging ruckus of "Battalions", driven forward by the steadfast double-bass work of former Immortal skinsman Armagedda. Throughout the album, the vocals of Abbath remain entirely listenable (understandable, even), which will no doubt grant I a listenership that may have been turned off by the abrasiveness of Immortal in the past. Flexing burled chords with Viking strength near the end of "Battalions", the quartet kicks off "Mountains" with gnarled riffmongering by Abbath and Ice Dale, belying the sheer beauty of the leads to be found within, as soothing somehow as they are deceptively dangerous. The songs on Between Two Worlds slither into the subconscious, even on first listen, as on the hard-charging "Days Of North Winds". Ice Dale even manages to toss in a bit of balls-out, sweat-drenched lead ripping here. Not to downplay the rhythm section whatsoever, but BTW is very much a guitar album. That said, I plays as if they've been together much, much longer than the less than a year that they've been active. Case in point, the heartfelt tribute to fallen comrade - and Between Two Worlds' prime musical influence -, Quorthon of Bathory. Though Abbath would likely cringe at the term, "Far Beyond The Quiet" is beautiful in its way. Amazingly played, and dripping with
blood, and honour, there will likely never be a more fitting send-off into Valhalla than this for Quorthon. If one had a mind to separate the tribute where the hero is identified, the acceptance of his soul into Valhalla, the transformation into a god of music if nothing else, and the impassioned goodbye, "Far Beyond The Quiet" could be seen as a classical piece separated into movements. Reveling in raw energy,"Cursed We Are" is easily the most musically aggressive track to be found here, galloping riffs joining ferocious bass and whirlwind drums to scream this final scream of anguished triumph, which ends in a frenzied eruption of the leads so prevalent throughout the album.
I would like you to see this album as a new beginning for music; a fusion of explosive rock and feral black metal. Well, I don't know if I has opened a new book with Between Two Worlds, but they've damn sure started a new chapter. An imperative purchase if ever there was one, just in time to feel the icy fingers of winter reaching for your fleeing form.
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