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So what do you guys think of this one? I'm a HUGE Immortal fan, but I'd have to say that after a 7 year wait I really expected a bit more from these Norwegians. I've listened to it about 5 times now and I just cannot shake the feeling that this is one of the year's biggest disappointmente yet.

Overal it sounds insanely similar to "Sons Of Northern Darkness", albeit a tad slower and with no real highlights to speak of (except the great "Rise Of Darkness")... I's "Between Two Worlds" album was far superior to this one, IMO.

Is it only me??

I haven't go to hear it yet, but I'm definitely seeing mixed reviews.

Thank you for making me sad :(

This morning, Sweden's by far largest morning newspaper Dagens Nyheter, reviewed this album and gave it 4/5. The only thing that I remember of what it said was that Abbath gurgled so much about frozen mountains, snow, mist and icicles that he sounded like a meteorologist. The final comment was "even though Immortal has a silly image, they don't make silly music".

Hmmm...to trust Neil or Norway's largest newspaper. I'm so torn! I want to trust the paper, but Neil is just so awesome...

Norway is not Sweden.

I really like the track Arctic Swarm, it's good to have Abbath and the boys back.

Ah crap! Wrong Scandinavian country! My infinite apologies, Ailo.

Thanks to both of you for stating the obvious...

But on a more serious note, I've actually started to appreciate the album now, 8 or so listens down the line. Will post a review soon.

In related news, I just heard the new Gorgoroth album, and it's really boring. Seems like all the brutality and ferocity of Under The Sign Of Hell has gone out the window, maybe because Infernus can't keep the same tempo anymore? Might be the disappointment of the year for me.

I see it still got in your monthly playlist though. I'll definitely give it some more spins.

I got to trust me some Neill on this one. Haven't bought the Immortal one yet, but perhaps I'll wait until I find a cheaper one. I liked their last two albums (although I'm not a Black Metal fan) and I was hoping for good things.

I'll wait a bit and read Neill's full review first. Then make my decision.

After a couple of listens, i like it a lot. It's a natural evolution from Sons of Northern Darkness with some new elements/direction.

It's not a fast, aggressive in your face cd. Immortal has always had those random epic sounding songs, it's like this time they decided to do an entire cd of them.

I'd actually go as far as saying they're evolving towards viking-era Bathory.

I hadn't thought of it, but you may be on to something there. Both "Sons..." and now "All..." have a certain "Hammerheart" mixed with "Blood Fire Death" quality about them (maybe even a slight bit of "Twilight..." also). Cool...

Really? That sounds like it could be an interesting CD to buy even for me!

To me, personally, it's only slightly in sound, but much more so in atmosphere and melody. It's a pretty "epic" sounding album.