At the Heart of Winter was recorded in November 1998 at Abyss Studios in Sweden. It is the first Immortal album not to feature a picture of the band on the cover, and the first to prominently feature the band's new logo.
In addition to a CD release, At the Heart of Winter was released as a limited edition metal box, as well as a hand-numbered LP on Osmose, which was later reissued in 2005.
All lyrics written by Demonaz Doom Occulta, all music composed by Abbath Doom Occulta. Arranged by Abbath and Horgh.
Withstand the Fall of Time
Immortal Lyrics
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On the edges of my vision a giant grim faced realm
Flaming suns crested the horizon shadows born a cloudless day
Believers of the rise and set of the moon darkened twilight into night
Hardening claws of cold tell me we are closer to colder times
Through the days of bitterness still the tundra lay untouched
In the final of that day and all centuries after
In eternity and time the same still the tundra lay untouched
Blacker and blacker blinded by shades from centuries behind
Shadows of a dark that used to be under heavy winters reign
The blackening sky never end as we stand the fall of time
Yet winds of cold will always blow without tomorrow
Hardening claws of cold tell me we are closer to colder times
Through the days of bitterness still the tundra lay untouched
In the final of that day and all centuries after
In eternity and time the same still the tundra lay untouched
The lyrics to "Withstand the Fall of Time" by Immortal describe a desolate, frozen landscape where darkness reigns and time seems to have stood still. The opening lines paint a picture of a sunrise, but not the typical golden glow associated with this event. Instead, the skies are growing darker and darker, with a reddish hue signaling the coming of doom. The singer observes a realm which seems to be guarded by a giant, grim-faced being that adds to the sense of foreboding. Flaming suns crest the horizon, but they bring no warmth or light, only shadows and darkness. The people who believe in the natural cycle of the moon and sun cannot see beyond the darkening twilight into night.
The second verse reinforces the sense of unending coldness and darkness. The singer mentions the hardening claws of cold, which tell them that colder times are coming. Despite the bitterness of the days and the long winters which usually ravage the tundra, this area remains untouched, like a time capsule preserved against the ravages of time. The final line, "yet winds of cold will always blow without tomorrow," is particularly poignant, underscoring the fact that even in this frozen, lifeless world, time still moves on.
Overall, the lyrics to "Withstand the Fall of Time" offer a powerful meditation on the nature of eternity and the unyielding passage of time, set against a backdrop of a barren, frozen landscape. The imagery is evocative, and the message is clear: life may be fleeting, but time marches on, and even in the face of unrelenting darkness and cold, we must remain strong.
Line by Line Meaning
Darker and darker skylines of red grew my horizon
The sky was getting darker with shades of red, creating a sense of doom and despair.
On the edges of my vision a giant grim faced realm
The singer saw a bleak and desolate landscape, which appeared daunting and menacing.
Flaming suns crested the horizon shadows born a cloudless day
The sun rose, casting shadows on the land, but despite the cloudless sky, it was not a bright day.
Believers of the rise and set of the moon darkened twilight into night
People who believed in the influence of the moon made the twilight period darker, leading to the onset of night.
Hardening claws of cold tell me we are closer to colder times
The artist felt the grip of the impending cold, which indicated that winter was approaching quickly.
Through the days of bitterness still the tundra lay untouched
Despite the cold and unforgiving climate and the harshness of the weather, the tundra remained unspoiled and untouched by humans.
In the final of that day and all centuries after
The end of that day signified the end of a certain era, which would be followed by centuries of darkness and coldness.
In eternity and time the same still the tundra lay untouched
Regardless of the passage of time, the tundra remained unchanged and untouched, preserving its natural beauty.
Blacker and blacker blinded by shades from centuries behind
The artist's vision became darker and unclear, as if obscured by the darkness of past centuries and events.
Shadows of a dark that used to be under heavy winters reign
The shadows were from a dark past, when the land was under the harsh rule of winter and its icy grip.
The blackening sky never end as we stand the fall of time
The sky seems to be forever black and ominous, as the singer witnesses the decline of time and a slow death of nature.
Yet winds of cold will always blow without tomorrow
The chilling winds of winter will always come, regardless of tomorrow, indicating the inevitability of nature's cycle.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HARALD NAEVDAL, OLVE EIKEMO, REIDAR HORDHAGEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind