Welcome to The Saw’s Butcher Shop! Ya Girl, The Saw, has been buried under ice cold Black Metal of late – Immortal released their new album, War Against All (Nuclear Blast) on May 26, 2023. I have already disclosed that I’m a huge Abbath fan, but Immortal is an iconic brand, and Demonaz knocked it out (without his longtime partner of doom) on 2018s, Northern Chaos Gods (Nuclear Blast). And he has returned with a vengeance once again with the band’s 10^thstudio album; it would seem, carved right out of the frozen tundra of the North.

If you are unfamiliar with all the drama surrounding Immortal, especially over the past few years – the split of the creative founders (Demonaz and Abbath), the legal battle with Horgh (drums), etc. – Ya Girl took a deep dive into the icy deep waters of the Black Metal legends not too long ago. [Check out the article for some context on the chaos.] Nonetheless, Immortal is now a one-man-show – Demonaz. He gets some help for War Against All, but everything on the record is his. And it’s beautiful!

So, Demonaz tapped Enslaved’s Ice Dale (guitars), and former Enslaved keyboardist/vocalist Herbrand Larsen for War Against All. These hired guns recorded and produced the new record, while Ice Dale also played some guitars on it. Kevin Kvale (Gaahls Wyrd) is on drums, too. Thus, while there are some quick tempos, bursts of fast tremolo picking, blast beats and blurring double bass, there are no “walls of sound.” It is all mixed really well and sounds great! In fact, War Against All is a return to classic Immortal in structure, but with excellent production. 

Now, there is no new ground broken on War Against All, and I’m good with that. I don’t listen to Immortal expecting something new, I love the band precisely because, like the frozen earth of their homeland, they are the petrified tundra of the Black Metal genre. I love the melodies of the Black Metal tremolo picking, and the crisp and exact riffs that are famous in Extreme Metal. Demonaz’s blackened vocals are superb. And the rhythm section really gives the sound a solid, deep bottom-end that balances the higher octave melodies. Most of the tracks on the new album are mid-paced and harmonious. They have a real sense of doomy, melancholy despair; snow-covered icy forests of darkness. I love it!

The leading single, “War Against All,” and the following track, “Thunders of Darkness” are cut from the same cloth (same count and cadence), and are a one-two punch to start the album. “Wargod” follows, and is a real mid-paced banger. The fourth song, “No Sun” is an example of classic Black Metal – a great specimen. “Return to Cold” is one of my favorites on the album; well written and executed. The main riff has a great hook and is very catchy. There is a well-placed instrumental in the saga, “Nordlandihr.” It really speaks to the point (I think) of this album, and really capitalizes on the narrative. The main melody is very much in the, now famous, Gothenburg style, which fits well with the Nordic song structure. “Immortal” speaks to the sense of immortality on behalf of Demonaz (IMO). After everything he’s been through, he’s feeling invincible as he sings, “I am Immortal… The god of the North!” There’s a great riff driving this song, and excellent, smooth as ice double bass, too. Closing-out the album is, “Blashyrkh My Throne;” a fitting track about the long-standing fantasy world of Demonaz. This narrative has journeyed throughout all of Immortal’s records. And now, Demonaz rules this land alone – “Immortal… The god of the North. Blashyrkh My Throne!”

War Against All, as they say, is a ‘meat and potatoes’ album – straight to the point, in 38 minutes; nothing new, just mastery of a classic style. Immortal wastes no time or energy, here. Demonaz offers a solid record, and I love its simplicity!

Rating: 9/10! Classic, melodic Black Metal! Great execution and sound!

Favorite Songs: Wargod, No Sun, Return to Cold

Stay Metal,

THE SAW