In what will prove to be a rather devisive piece of work, Immortal has returned after a markedly brief sabbatical from "At the Heart of Winter" last year. In its execution this album continues on with the new formula devised on "Winter..." with the more expansive riffing and beefy Tatgren production intact, although Immortal has backed away from the vast epic standards in exchange for the relentless pace featured on "Blizzard Beasts". With that in mind, it would seem cliche to liken "Damned in Black" to Slayer's "Reign in Blood", but in my mind the same effect is achieved starting with the blazing opening track, "Triumph". The whole affair is pummeling with Abbath's vocals raging in more emphatic tones than previous outings. Horgh's drumming has also really come into focus, in part because he has more to play and less time to play it per song. The rounding off of the line-up with Iscariah on bass has also seemed to bolster the band's desire to forge ahead in the most violent manner possible. Each song on "Damned in Black" is strong and memorable, as Abbath again reveals himself as a songwriter with an ear for hooks. One thing to note, however, is that the main reason this album succeeds is based on the context of what Immortal has done before. It stands as only a chapter in the large tome that comprises their history. One one hand, this album galvanizes them as a Norwegian Black Metal band that has refused to surrender to the allure of outright rock-stardom, and this is where it truly flies and conquers. On the other hand, "Damned in Black" ushers in a concertedly new incarnation of this new seminal act, one that may disappoint some as much as it inspires others. Thus, while I highly recommend this album, I encourage the uninitiated to seek out their previous works ("Pure Holocaust" and "Battles in the North" being essential) in the same stroke as delving into this era of the band. In any event, I believe this album stands on its defiance and the overt celebration of that principle (not to mention the fact that it is so unapologetically METAL!), and for this I admire it and enjoy it all the more.

© 2000 w.s. diabolus