All Shall Fall

All Shall Fall is the eighth studio album by Norwegian black metal band Immortal, released on 25 September 2009 by Nuclear Blast Records.^[1] Following a hiatus that began with the band's 2003 split announcement after 13 years together, Immortal reformed in 2006–2007 for live performances before committing to new material, making All Shall Fall their first full-length release in seven years since Sons of Northern Darkness (2002).^[2][3] The album features the lineup of Abbath on vocals and guitar, Horgh on drums, and Apollyon on bass, with lyrics written by Demonaz; it is the only Immortal release to include Apollyon and the final one with Abbath.^[1][4] Recorded from April to June 2009 at Abyss Studios and Grieghallen Studios in Sweden and Norway, respectively, the album was produced by Peter Tägtgren and Immortal, engineered by Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin, and mixed by Tägtgren.^[1] Comprising seven tracks with a total runtime of approximately 40 minutes, All Shall Fall maintains Immortal's signature "frostbitten" black metal sound, emphasizing aggressive riffs, blast beats, and thematic lyrics centered on the band's fictional realm of Blashyrkh.^[1] The tracklist includes:

• "All Shall Fall" (5:58)
• "The Rise of Darkness" (5:48)
• "Hordes to War" (4:33)
• "Norden on Fire" (6:16)
• "Arctic Swarm" (4:02)
• "Mount North" (5:08)
• "Unearthly Kingdom" (8:31)

The album's cover artwork, featuring the band in corpse paint against a snowy landscape, reinforces Immortal's enduring imagery of eternal winter and northern conquest.^[1]

Background and Conception

Immortal's Hiatus and Reformation

In the summer of 2003, Immortal disbanded after 13 years and seven albums, with the band citing various personal reasons for the split.^[5] The decision was influenced by internal and external pressures on core members Abbath and Demonaz, compounded by Demonaz's ongoing health issues, including severe tendonitis that had sidelined him from guitar duties since 1997.^[6] During the hiatus, Abbath briefly joined the Mötley Crüe cover band Bömbers, while he and Demonaz collaborated on the black metal supergroup I, releasing the album Between Two Worlds in November 2006.^[7] The reformation was announced in June 2006, with founding members Abbath on vocals and guitar, Demonaz contributing lyrics and songwriting (but unable to play guitar due to tendonitis), and Horgh on drums. Apollyon from Aura Noir joined on bass for both recording and live performances.^[8] The reunion included plans for new material and a return to touring, marking the band's first activity since the 2002 album Sons of Northern Darkness.^[8] Abbath and Horgh committed to the band on a permanent basis, as confirmed in subsequent interviews, with the reformation driven by renewed creative energy and fan demand.^[7] This period of reformation culminated in the writing and recording of All Shall Fall, Immortal's eighth studio album and their first release in seven years, which captured the band's signature frostbitten black metal sound while reflecting the challenges overcome during the hiatus.^[7] The album's development emphasized Demonaz's songwriting role despite his physical limitations, solidifying the reformed lineup's cohesion ahead of its September 2009 release.^[6]

Album Development

Following their disbandment in 2003 after the release of Sons of Northern Darkness, Immortal reformed in 2006 with founding members Abbath on vocals and guitar and Horgh on drums, joined by bassist Apollyon (real name Ole Jørgen Moe, formerly of Aura Noir and Cadaver).^[7] The band began developing material for a new album shortly thereafter, with initial ideas emerging in late 2006 as they focused on reestablishing their presence through select live performances starting in 2007.^[9] This period marked a deliberate return to songwriting after a three-year hiatus, emphasizing the band's signature frostbitten black metal aesthetic amid growing anticipation from fans for a full comeback recording. The songwriting process for All Shall Fall centered on collaboration between core members, with Abbath handling the composition of all music and Demonaz (real name Harald Nævdal) penning the lyrics. Arrangements were credited jointly to Abbath, Demonaz, and Horgh, reflecting their input in shaping the album's structure and intensity. Apollyon contributed to the bass lines but was not involved in the primary composition. The material drew from Immortal's established themes of Blashyrkh mythology and northern warfare, building on the melodic and thrash-influenced elements of prior works while aiming to recapture the raw energy of their early output.^[10][1] In retrospective interviews, Demonaz has described the album's development as involving significant internal compromises that influenced its final form, stating it “didn’t come out the way I wished it to” and deviated from the less produced, more primitive style he envisioned. He noted that these dynamics made the process harder than previous efforts, contrasting it with the uncompromising approach of earlier albums like Sons of Northern Darkness. Despite these challenges, the development culminated in a cohesive set of seven tracks completed by early 2009, solidifying Immortal's reformation.^[11][12]

Musical Style and Composition

Overall Style and Influences

All Shall Fall represents a continuation of Immortal's signature black metal sound, characterized by mid-tempo rhythms, epic structures, and a polished production that emphasizes massive guitar tones and atmospheric depth. The album blends raw black metal aggression with melodic thrash and traditional heavy metal influences, featuring grand, weaving riffs that evoke Norway's wintry landscapes and the band's fictional realm of Blashyrkh. Unlike the relentless speed of their earlier works, the compositions here prioritize dynamic pacing, with hypnotic blastbeats interspersed among groovy, headbanging sections, creating a fuller, more accessible sonic palette.^[13][14][15] Key to the album's style are Abbath's versatile guitar work and growled vocals, which deliver a Popeye-esque croak over themes of war, wind, and eternal winter, while Demonaz's contributions ensure lyrical and compositional continuity. The riffs often reference thrash metal's precision and heavy metal's melody, with occasional folkish breaks and arpeggios adding epic grandeur. Drumming by Horgh provides a linear, technical foundation, supporting the album's brooding intensity without overwhelming the frostbitten atmosphere. This evolution maintains Immortal's blackened thrash core but broadens its scope, moving away from pure misanthropy toward a mythic, nature-inspired narrative.^[13][16][15] Influences on All Shall Fall prominently include Bathory, evident in the Quorthon-like vocal delivery, bombastic arpeggios, and nationalistic epicism that permeate tracks like "Norden on Fire." The band also draws from early Norwegian black metal pioneers such as Mayhem, Emperor, and Darkthrone, incorporating their raw energy into a more refined framework, alongside traces of Mercyful Fate's pastoral and riff-driven approach. These elements culminate in a sound that honors Immortal's roots while advancing their hybrid style, solidified during the hiatus from 2003 to 2009.^[14][16][15]

Track Listing

All Shall Fall is the eighth studio album by the Norwegian black metal band Immortal, featuring seven tracks that explore themes of war, darkness, and the Arctic north.^[1] The album's total running time is 40:16.^[1]

Production

Recording Sessions

The recording sessions for All Shall Fall took place between April and June 2009 at two studios: Grieghallen Studios in Bergen, Norway, and Abyss Studios in Pärlby, Sweden.^[17][10] Grieghallen, a venue renowned for its role in early Norwegian black metal productions, handled portions of the tracking, while Abyss Studios—owned and operated by producer Peter Tägtgren—facilitated the bulk of the sessions, aligning with Tägtgren's involvement in production and mixing.^[1] The band, consisting of Abbath on vocals and guitar, Horgh on drums, and Apollyon on bass, worked under the co-production of Immortal and Tägtgren, with Demonaz contributing lyrics remotely due to his ongoing tendinitis that prevented performance.^[17][10] The sessions emphasized a raw, frostbitten black metal sound, building on Immortal's signature style while incorporating Tägtgren's polished yet aggressive production approach, evident in the album's tight riffing and dynamic drum work.^[1] Mixing was completed by Tägtgren at Abyss Studios, followed by mastering at Black Lounge Studios in Grangärde, Sweden, by Jonas Kjellgren, who enhanced the album's clarity and depth without compromising its icy intensity.^[17][10] This collaborative process marked a return to form after the band's hiatus, resulting in a 40-minute album that captured the essence of Blashyrkh's eternal winter.^[1]

Personnel

The lineup for All Shall Fall featured vocalist and guitarist Abbath (Olve Eikemo), who composed the music and contributed to arrangements, alongside drummer Horgh (Reidar Horghagen), who also handled arrangements.^[1] Bassist Apollyon (Ole Jørgen Moe) marked his only appearance on an Immortal album, while founding member Demonaz (Harald Nævdal) provided the lyrics and additional arrangements.^[1][18] Production was co-handled by the band and Peter Tägtgren, who also mixed the album at his Abyss Studios in Sweden.^[1] Engineering duties fell to Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin at Grieghallen Studios in Bergen, Norway, with recording sessions spanning April to June 2009 across both Abyss and Grieghallen facilities.^[1] Mastering was completed by Jonas Kjellgren at Black Lounge Studios.^[19] Additional contributions included A&R coordination by Jaap Wagemaker and management/booking by Håkon Grav.^[1] The album's artwork and graphic design were created by Pär Olofsson, with photography by Peter Beste.^[18] An introductory performance on track 7 was provided by Are Mundal.^[20] All songs were published by Warner Chappell/Edition Wolffackel.^[20]

Release and Promotion

Release Details

All Shall Fall is the eighth studio album by the Norwegian black metal band Immortal, released through [Nuclear Blast](/page/Nuclear Blast) Records.^[21] The album was initially released in Europe on September 25, 2009, followed by a North American release on October 6, 2009.^[22] It marked Immortal's return to [Nuclear Blast](/page/Nuclear Blast) after a period with Osmose Productions for previous albums.^[23] The standard formats included a jewel case CD (catalog number NB 2303-0 / 27361 23030) and a limited edition digipak CD, both featuring the full seven-track album.^[1] Vinyl editions were pressed as a single LP in a gatefold sleeve (NB 2303-1 / 27361 23031), limited to 1,000 numbered copies on black vinyl.^[1] A special limited edition metal box set (NB 2303-5), restricted to 500 numbered copies, contained the digipak CD alongside four 7-inch picture discs with individual tracks.^[1] Regional variations were issued by licensees, such as Irond in Russia (IROND CD 09-1641) and Icarus Music in Argentina (ICARUS 569), maintaining the core CD format but with localized packaging.^[1] Subsequent reissues included a 2013 four-picture-disc set (NB 2512-5) in three color variants, limited to 1,000 copies each, and a 2022 LP reissue (NB 4285-1) on 180-gram vinyl.^[24][19] The digital version became available via Bandcamp on the original European release date.^[25]

Marketing and Media

The marketing campaign for Immortal's eighth studio album, All Shall Fall, was spearheaded by Nuclear Blast Records, emphasizing the band's reformation and return to form after a six-year hiatus. The album's announcement in mid-2009 highlighted its recording completion and included the reveal of the cover artwork, designed to evoke the band's signature Blashyrkh mythology with icy, northern landscapes and frost giant imagery. The track listing was also disclosed at this time, building anticipation among fans through online platforms like the band's MySpace page.^[26] Promotion extended to live performances, with Immortal confirming appearances at major European festivals shortly after the announcement, including Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium in June 2010 and Hellfest in France from June 18-20, 2010. In North America, the band embarked on the "Blashyrkh in North America" tour in spring 2010, featuring dates such as March 30 at The Brooklyn Masonic Temple in New York and April 2 at The Avalon in Los Angeles, directly supporting the album's U.S. release on October 6, 2009. These shows incorporated new material from All Shall Fall into setlists alongside classics, reinforcing the album's thematic continuity with Immortal's black metal legacy.^[26][27] Media efforts included the distribution of promotional copies, such as a limited DVD edition in a slim jewel case sent to label partners and press outlets. In September 2010, Nuclear Blast released the official music video for the title track "All Shall Fall," directed by Vardefilm and filmed in Norway, marking the band's first video in 15 years. The clip featured Abbath, Apollyon, and Horgh—and was tied to the concurrent release of the live DVD The Seventh Date of Blashyrkh, capturing their 2007 Wacken Open Air performance to sustain momentum for the album. Fan-filmed footage from earlier shows, like Tuska Open Air in Helsinki, also circulated online, amplifying grassroots buzz.^[28][22]

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reception

Upon its release, All Shall Fall received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its epic scope, riff-driven compositions, and polished production while critiquing its relative lack of innovation and overly slick sound compared to rawer black metal standards. The album holds an average rating of 76% on Encyclopaedia Metallum based on 29 user reviews, reflecting appreciation within the metal community for its adherence to Immortal's frostbitten aesthetic.^[29] Pitchfork awarded the album a 7.1 out of 10, highlighting its "state-of-the-art production" with "highly compressed drums, huge-sounding guitars, and a massive overall soundscape," which made it "the closest black metal has come to sounding like the northern winds it references." The review praised Abbath's guitar work as "phenomenal," with riffs that "chug, sing, and weave gleaming webs," though it noted the polish might startle fans accustomed to the genre's lo-fi aggression. Similarly, MetalSucks gave it 4 out of 5 horns, calling it a "massive, excellent new album" of "solid, riff-heavy material" that stands as "some of the best stuff black metal has to offer," but critiqued the "slick production" and battle sound effects as occasionally overproduced.^[13][30] Other outlets echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the album's reliability as a comeback after a seven-year hiatus. The Aquarian described it as "awe-inspiring black metal" consistent with Immortal's style, particularly praising adventurous elements like the phased guitars on "Unearthly Kingdom," but found it lacking significant evolution from prior works such as Sons of Northern Darkness. Metal Underground rated it 3.5 out of 5 skulls, lauding its ability to blend "grim and depressive undercurrent with the epic nature of full-throttle metal" through tracks like the title song's "blistering call to war," while pointing out standard black metal flaws such as overused blast beats and subdued bass. The Metal Crypt scored it 4.25 out of 5, appreciating standout tracks like "Hordes to War" and "Norden on Fire" for their "grim, atonal riffs and arctic atmosphere," but noted some songs felt too melodic and bouncy, falling short of Immortal's peaks like At the Heart of Winter.^[31][32][33] Critics often positioned All Shall Fall as a solid entry in Immortal's discography, enriching their legacy of Norse-inspired black metal without revolutionizing the genre, though its stadium-ready sheen sparked debate on authenticity in the scene.^[13][30]

Commercial Performance and Impact

All Shall Fall debuted at number 162 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling approximately 3,300 copies in its first week of release.^[34] The album also entered the German Albums Chart at number 33, the Finnish Albums Chart at number 20, and the Norwegian Albums Chart at number 23.^[22] These chart positions marked a solid commercial showing for a black metal release, reflecting the band's enduring fanbase following a seven-year hiatus since their previous album, Sons of Northern Darkness (2002). As Immortal's comeback album, All Shall Fall featured Abbath on vocals and guitar, Horgh on drums, and Apollyon on bass, with lyrics written by Demonaz, generating significant anticipation within the metal community.^[1] The release bolstered the band's legacy in Norwegian black metal, with its polished production and return to frosty, Blashyrkh-themed songwriting earning praise as a strong revival that maintained their signature epic style.^[30] It facilitated extensive touring, including performances at major festivals like Wacken Open Air in 2010 and headlining Bloodstock Open Air in 2011, further cementing Immortal's influence on the second wave of black metal.^[35][36] The album's impact extended to highlighting internal tensions, as it proved to be the final Immortal release featuring Abbath before his departure in 2015, which led to a band split and his subsequent solo career.^[37] Despite modest sales figures typical of the underground genre, All Shall Fall contributed to sustaining black metal's commercial viability in the late 2000s.