Albums like this make me wish there was a higher rating I could go to. A perfect rating of 10 almost seems to be inadequate for a release like this. This CD is truly a masterpiece that will go down as one of Christian music's best CDs ever. It seems that the comparisons of In Flames and (some) Dark Tranquility are very accurate (keep in mind Dark Tranquility has been around for seemingly EVER and have a lot of albums with different sounds) which is a good thing.
Vocally the style is harsher, and faster than on the split with Mordecai. They just feel more intense and less doom influenced. As you may or may not know Immortal Souls started out as a full on doom metal band and with the split CD tendencies remained to keep that feel somewhat present. With this full length album the band has completely left their doom roots and moved on to a full melodic almost progressive death metal style.
The drumming has improved vastly. Now the drums are a constant instrument that demands to be noticed. Blast beats are used as is some double bass, but the use of the cymbals has greatly increased and it really fits this music very much.
The guitar work is simply phenomenal. I thank God for musicians like Ole from Extol, Corey from Underoath and now we can add the Immortal Souls duo to the pack, Pete Loisa and E.Sarkioja, the former being a new addition since the split CD, and a very much welcomed addition at that. The pieces are heavy, fast and technical. Everything a metal head like me could have ever hoped for, all in one package. Super heavy crunching riffs through the verse leads to crazy technical leads for bridges. This band simply put does it all.
Lyrically the band holds true to their self proclaimed style of 'winter metal' with songs like; Frostmind, The Cold Northwind, Snowfalls, and Winterheart. In each song however they bring the focus from nature to praising God. Kudos to Immortal Souls for this as they don't do it in a cheesy or over cliched way. The songs feel like they were crafted to be just as they are, incredible. A perfect example of this is the song The Cold Northwind. Which tells the story of a murderer on the run who gets trapped in the mountains and feels he may freeze to death.
Loneliness at the hills of north
While wind seeps like God's wrath
Will I pay my crimes by death?
I have made so many sons to bleed
still son of God bled for me
How could I ever believe?
Cold breathing Northwind avenging
As I scream a prayer for my soul
My soul in shadows that arise upon my crimes
Two of the ten tracks are instrumentals, and are as the other songs, expertly crafted pieces of music. This CD last just over 38 minutes, most songs being in the 3 to 4 minute range and one peaking up to 6:15. I was hoping for a little longer CD but this is no let down what-so-ever. Further this is a CD that easily can be put on repeat at least for the first couple weeks you own it. You will not get tired of this one easily at all.
The last thing to talk about is the packaging. It's being called a limited edition and I say get your copy soon cause it's probably the best packaged Christian CD to date. What you get is the CD with a 14 page booklet, a full color sticker of the cover art all in a black cardboard box with a glossy image of the cover art on it. Plus the tray is a dark forest green color not clear, pretty nice touch actually. It's really nice looking.
Bottom line on this one is simply if you like metal your life is incomplete with out this new Immortal Souls album. Highly recommended for any fans of Extol, Lengsel, previous Immortal souls, In Flames, Dark Tranquility or other melodic death metal. This CD RULES!
10/10
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 2001Reviewed by Marco PovervestThe first time I got acquainted with this band's music, was through their four songs on the split-EP with black metal band Mordecai. Now the full length album with its ten songs is rotating in my CD player, making me wonder how much progress the band's made. With the first assault on my ears, I'm inclined to think the band moved on to black metal. Yet that's far from accurate. The opening track…Dead Zine 2001Reviewed by NecRoSarXYahh! I just listened to perhaps one of the scariest death metal CDs I've ever laid my hands on! Keeping in mind that I use the term "death metal" a bit loosely, for this CD has elements of thrash, black and doom thrown into the pot here. I'll be honest in saying that when I first heard Immortal Souls on the split-CD they did with Mordecai, I wasn't that much impressed. Well, fortunately I put…Dead Zine 2001Reviewed by GrindboyDo you remember when you first started listening to music and buying records/tapes/cd's/whatever? Remember the feeling of overwhelming excitement and enthusiasm that accompanied each new purchase? As your collection grew over time, though, the excitement lessened somewhat to the point where it was barely recognizable at all. New music was still interesting and fun, but not the same as when it was…Similar sounding releases
1998OpethMy Arms, Your Hearse
2003MortificationPower, Pain & Passion
2004A Faith Called ChaosForgive Nothing
2003Darkest HourHidden Hands of a Sadist Nation
2004Mortal TreasonA Call to the Martyrs
2001AmosGothic SoulMore from Immortal Souls
2000The Cleansing
1999Divine Wintertime / Through The Woods, Towards The Dawn
1997Reflections of Doom
2003Ice Upon The Night
