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1) Immortal is a black metal band from Bergen, Norway, founded in 1991 by frontman and guitarist Abbath Doom Occulta (Olve Eikemo) and guitarist Demonaz Doom Occulta (Harald Nævdal). The pair worked with various drummers (including Grim, Armagedda and Hellhammer), and were later joined by current drummer Horgh (Reidar Horghagen) in 1996.
In March 2015, long-serving member Abbath announced his departure from the group following a dispute with the other members of the band, and he went on to form a new band under his name called Abbath. It was initially reported that following Abbath's departure, the band would split up. However, In August 2015, Demonaz and Horgh said that the band would continue without Abbath. Demonaz would return to playing guitar with the band for the first time since 1997, and would also do vocals as well.
Immortal arose from two short-lived bands, Old Funeral and Amputation, which were formed by Abbath and others in 1988. Immortal's original lineup consisted of ex-members from both of these bands. Old Funeral was founded by Abbath and Tore (Tore Bratseth), then went through a string of guitarists (including Demonaz, Varg Vikernes and Jørn Inge Tunsberg) until disbanding in 1992. Abbath, Demonaz, and Jørn formed Amputation, which released two demos with Demonaz on guitar and vocals, Jørn on guitars, and Padden on drums, before disbanding in 1990.
Members of Old Funeral and Amputation formed Immortal in 1991, with Abbath on bass and lead vocals, Demonaz on guitar, and Armagedda on drums. The music on their early demo recordings was death metal, with lyrics influenced by Morbid Angel and Possessed. The band then became influenced by Euronymous and bands like Bathory and Celtic Frost. They released their self-titled EP in 1991, which saw a stylistic change to black metal. This was followed by their debut album Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism in 1992. Immortal's early full-length releases were in traditional black metal style, but their most acclaimed album, At the Heart of Winter, marks the period when the band began to experiment with a complex fusion of black metal and German thrash metal, resulting in the sound of Immortal's later works.
In 1995, the band released two video clips directed by British artist David Palser, entitled Masters of Nebulah Frost, through Osmose Productions. They featured many bizarrely-shot images of frozen landscapes and vast forests with the band performing two songs from the album Battles in the North, "Grim and Frostbitten Kingdoms" and "Blashyrkh (Mighty Ravendark)", on a Norwegian mountainside. The video for "Grim and Frostbitten Kingdoms" features Mayhem drummer, Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg). These clips have become the template for many other bands producing such works, similarly to how "The Call of the Wintermoon" is also highly influential.
The members of Immortal were involved in a legal battle with each other over the rights to the Immortal trademark. They were also due to submit a new album to the Nuclear Blast label, though little information regarding the album and its release had been disclosed. It is confirmed, however, by Abbath that the album had been completed with the aid of various musicians.
In March 2015, Abbath left Immortal as a result of this conflict and an inability to move forward. Abbath is to continue as a musician with a solo band under his name.
On 8 January 2018, the band posted Via Facebook an update on Immortal's upcoming 9th Full-length, stating "We have put a massive amount of energy into this, and wanted to deliver our absolutely best. It has been a pleasure to finish the studio process and most of all being stoked about the final result. Peter Tägtgren has done an outstanding job in producing and mixing it. We now look forward to have it released, and are excited to share our 9th full length with you all." the release date of the album is scheduled for sometime in 2018, releasing under Nuclear Blast Records. The album will feature original member Demonaz on vocals and for the first time in 20 years, he will also play guitar. Demonaz has been the main contributor for the bands lyricism since an injury he had suffered, prevented him from continuing to play guitar for the band since 1998. The last album which had featured Demonaz on Guitar was 1997 album Blizzard Beasts. This will be the first Immortal album to not feature Abbath in the lineup.
On 18 April 2018, the tracklisting and title of the new album was revealed to be Northern Chaos Gods and was given a release date of 6 July 2018.
Immortal's lyrics are based on an overall theme, a realm called "Blashyrkh", which is said to be "demon-and-battle-filled". The idea for Blashyrkh came about from Demonaz and Abbath's feelings of isolation living in Bergen. They created Blashyrkh to mirror those feelings, basing it on Norway, including "winter landscapes", "the woods, the mountains, the darkness, the fog", and "glacial valleys". When writing lyrics, the band Immortal's lyricist Demonaz often takes long walks in the Norwegian countryside near his hometown of Bergen for inspiration. Unlike many early black metal bands, Immortal does not have satanic-themed lyrics. However, on the band's first album, there were a few satanic references but without any lyrics attacking religion.
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2) A Dutch goth rock band from the late '80s, see e.g. their verified Spotify profile with several releases:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2NLYWhkv6D3xLqxPc4bfoD
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3) There is also a rapper with the same name.
4) Immortal was a thrash metal band that would disband and go on to form Circle of Dust
Where Dark and Light Don't Differ
Immortal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the red and black of our victorian crest
We flag beneath beneath the solar seas
We grant as the might to conquer so spread be our wrath
Meet the voice of us darkblind souls as it blasts from an open sky
Victorious we live over all strong men under us fall
The longer we ride this yearn will make us find
Winterized blackening descend
Mesmerized into demonlands
Far far and further away
In mightful strong and mindless realms
We flag beneath beneath the solar seas
Again it's time to conquer so spread be our wrath
Where dark and light don't differ
Winterized blackening ascend
Mesmerized in demons lands
The longer we ride the stronger we stride
The lyrics to Immortal's song "Where Dark and Light Don't Differ" showcase the band's dark and brutal style, with a focus on themes of conquest and the endless search for power and dominion. The first verse describes the strength of the band's "barbaric tempered steel" and the power of their "victorian crest" as they conquer and spread their wrath upon the world. The second verse speaks of their dark and blind souls, which blast out from an open sky, and their victory over all strong men who fall beneath them. The final verse speaks of winter descending and the band being mesmerized into demon lands, where they continue to spread their wrath and conquer all in their path, until they find a place where dark and light don't differ.
Overall, the lyrics portray a band that is relentless in its pursuit of power and conquest, with a focus on dark and brutal imagery that captures the essence of black metal.
Line by Line Meaning
Barbaric tempered steel strike forth and toll our days
Our lives are defined and marked by violent and unrelenting struggles, where weapons are our tools of choice.
the red and black of our victorian crest
Our insignia is a symbol of bloodshed and darkness, signifying our ruthless and unbridled nature.
We flag beneath beneath the solar seas
We sail under the blazing sun, our path guided by its light and yet we thrive in the shadows it creates.
We grant as the might to conquer so spread be our wrath
Our strength and power lies in our ability to conquer and our wrath is to be spread to all who oppose us.
Meet the voice of us darkblind souls as it blasts from an open sky
Our collective voice, devoid of light and blinded by darkness, echoes from the vast expanse of the open sky, reaching all who would listen.
Victorious we live over all strong men under us fall
We are triumphant over all who stand against us, as even the strongest among us are felled by our superior might.
The longer we ride this yearn will make us find
As we continue on our path of conquest, our hunger for power and domination only grows stronger.
Where dark and light don't differ
Our ultimate goal is to achieve a state where the duality of light and dark no longer holds any meaning or significance.
Winterized blackening descend
As the seasons change and the cold of winter sets in, our darkness descends and spreads like a blackened veil across the land.
Mesmerized into demonlands
Our journey takes us deeper into lands inhabited by dark and demonic forces, where we are entranced and captivated by their power.
Far far and further away
Our conquest takes us to far reaches of the world and beyond, where the power and darkness of our reign extend.
In mightful strong and mindless realms
Our domains are characterized by unyielding strength and an utter lack of compassion or mercy, where the only rule is that of the strong.
Winterized blackening ascend
As the winter continues to take hold, our darkness ascends to even greater heights, casting the world into further shadows.
The longer we ride the stronger we stride
As our journey of conquest continues, our stride only grows stronger, fueled by the unyielding darkness and strength of our domain.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mart Glass
My favourite Immortal song. Who agrees?
Rarawer
I agree but for me with "in my kingdom cold"
Jan Ackermann
@Rarawer then you don't agree o.O
Davide Russo
Totally agree. <3
Darkonius v
This song is so epic, power, and heavy...cant stop listen 🤘🤘🤘
Lucian Pintilie
Yup. Mine too.
Virocybernetics
This album bleeds the blackest epic melodies... Immortal's best work by far.
Silence is where we are
Aliensyntax yes man. This one is a real masterpiece.
borrelnoot10
My favorite album from Immortal!
Ado Podrinje
this song is PURE HEAVY METAL DUDE! the sound of it, could fit on Ride the lightning, the guitars and drums...