At the Heart of Winter [Import]

Immortal | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 22, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Osmose Productions
• ASIN: B0000255CL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,691 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece of winter beauty and winter carnage!, March 8, 2006

By 

John "Ira" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At the Heart of Winter (Audio CD)

Few albums come along in ones life where the music leaves you so speechless. For me, this is one of them. This is not only Immortal's best work in general but one of the greatest Black Metal albums ever to be released. Nothing can top Abbath's brutal riffs and his throat ripping vocals. The atmosphere of Darkthrone is here and the talent of Emperor. However, between all that makes this cd a masterpiece is some true beauty. Such as the main riff in Solarfall and the intro in At the Heart of Winter for a few examples. This is a true masterpiece of winter beauty and winter carnage.

1. Withstand the Fall of Time (8:29) The first track begins with a single riff before the rest joins in, while the riff not really memorable will grow on you. The first minute is spent gearing up before the song gets into full speed. About 3 and a half minutes into the song it slows down before getting a second wind about 4:15 into it and doesn't stop until the song quietly dies out. WOnderful opening track. I could not think of a better song to open up this album. 4.5/5

2. Solarfall (6:02) Immortal's best song of all time. A short drum roll falls in follwoed by one of my favorite riffs of all time then hell is broken loose upon an unsuspecting listener. The song does not let up for one secodn and has some of their best drumming as well. The vocals are enough to make you wish to conquer all you face. The vocals are almost dreadfully slow in a good way, almost like you wonder how he isn't tearing all of his vocal chords. The song slows down2:20 into it with some slow drumming but soo returns with that crushing riff. Best song here. 25/5

3. Tragedies Blows At Horizon (8:55) This song is 8 minutes and 55 seconds of pure magic. It really starts up about 40 seconds into it and grabs you with hardened claws and refuses to let up. I love the way the guitar riff kicks in at 4:30 with nothing but a take no prisoners attitude. A real highlight on the album. 5/5

4. Where Dark and Light Don't Differ (6:45) The first song I heard on this album and it is a winner. The most thrash influenced track on this album has no mellow intro but just decides to come at you full force. The best drumming on the album appears here. The riff that kickss in at 1 minute is majestic and incredible. An epic track. 10/5

5. At the Heart of Winter (8:00) This song honestly makes you feel like you're walking into the front line of a war at the heart of a winter storm. This song runs on talent, emotion and an epic battle cry. The two minute intro can't even prepare you for what is to come. Then the rest of the song kicks in barreling down on you liek an avalanche you know you can't escape. With guitar playing that just screams talent. The rest of the song continues the epic trail the first half of the song left us with. 20/5

6. Years of Silent Sorrow (7:53) Well, instead of ending this masterpiece on a quiet note. abbath and crew decide to go out fighting. With one of the fastest songs on the album begins the drums tear through your ears. The guitar is pretty fast in an almost frantic fashion at certain times. "Dome in the sky black winds to taste
shadowed spirits lead my way...
Drifting everly alone years of silent sorrow
until I'm home... " With those words spoken the final song dies out leaving you only time to pick yourself up and try to comprehend the incredible album you just heard. 5/5

In conclusion, if you haven't stopped reading this yet and purchased this album. I recommend you do so right now. Enjoy.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars black metal's coldest sound refined, October 23, 2005

By 

J. Holmes "blood+whiskey" (yokohama, japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At the Heart of Winter (Audio CD)

Immortal's ridiculously fast approach to their special frostbitten brand of black metal gets a slight overhaul on this album. the production becomes a bit more crystalized and the tunes get a bit more melodic. the pace has slowed down a bit with a focus more on a mid paced thrashy kind of groove that suits them well. the same lyrical themes are present as on past records: epic battles atop frozen mountaintops and tributes to the fictional kingdom of Blashyrkh adorn these songs. but which icy warlord approved this particular photo session? oh my. heehee...no matter, a small misstep (albeit a hilarious one) that only adds a whole new level of fun to this album. At The Heart Of Winter may not appeal to the diehard Immortal fans who think that they are no good without the non-stop blur of blast beats; but for those who like a bit of melody with their grim blackened metal should not hesitate inspecting this colossal masterpiece.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars truly epic, October 6, 2005

By 

Laurie Vazquez - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At the Heart of Winter (Audio CD)

many people give 5 stars in a rather nonchalant manner completly nulling the value of the prestigious 5. This cd is the most essential black metal album I've ever come across. I do not sheepishly just "give" the five star rating, I stand by my rating proudly for all to see. THIS IS THE ONE! EPIC! also I do not listen to garbage black metal like most so you can trust my opinion. This album drives a sword through the pu@#y a!@ bellies of all other pu%$y a#@ bands. HAH HAH HAH


p.s. kill nevermore