Review by Adam M on May 25, 2025.

This is a very riff-oriented album that brings Immortal into the more modern metal landscape and has a distinctive riffing pattern to it that is hard to match. The guitar licks recall Megadeth at their finest and have a very flashy fashion to them. This is a black metal album that has a cold atmosphere along with its riffs and brings a blizzard of an attack to the forefront.

In terms of musicianship, the riffing is very distinctive and perhaps best showcased on this album along with At the Heart of Winter. There is a very crunchy riff style that is hard to match and makes the band stand out from the pack. This is certainly a very addictive style that is performed and one that makes Immortal kings of the hill. Singing is grim, but fitting with the music nicely and making for a unique type of talent.

If there is a flaw, it’s that albums like Rust in Peace are perhaps more interesting and involve the listener a bit more than this release does. It is not as flashy with the instrumental work as that album, but more black metal in nature. This leads to a crushing display that is hard to match in the genre and certainly a highlight of black metal in general.

The brand of melodic black metal Immortal perform is catchy and worthwhile. It Is interesting in its use of a tremolo picked style to great advantage. It is a noteworthy album by the band and one that most other bands of the style will look at this as a fine addition to Immortal’s canon and one that is easy to pick up and play.

Rating 7.4/10

Review by Kostas on July 13, 2023.

After Immortal's incredible ''At The Heart Of Winter'' and the following disappointment called ''Damned In Black'', I bet no one was really sure about what to expext. Well, in my opinion, ''Sons Of Northern Darkness'' is a combination of elements from both aforementioned releases. However, it is characterised by a much more professional musical approach.

This album starts rather abruptly, with 'One By One' giving you a bittersweet taste at first. Aggressive and powerful, it has thrash influences and many repetitions. Although well-composed and definitely not awkward like past songs of Immortal, it actually lacks a separate identity. It is just another Immortal song, without any groundbreaking ideas or changes. In fact, I am rather sad to say so, but all of the first half of this record is like that. The guitars kind of recycle the same melodies abd nost of the bass lines are uninspired. Drumming has not changed at all, either. It is only Abbath who seems to have improved his vocal style even more and finally handles his voice properly. Yes, the days of the weird teenager trying to sound evil are long gone and forgotten.

The really good part of "Sons Of Northern Darkness" starts unfolding with 'Within The Dark Mind' and is clearly visible and fully enjoyable a bit too late in the album ('Antarctica', 'Beyond The North Waves'). This side of the coin has everything Immortal are well known for. Haunting rifts, much more intelligent drumming and some keyoboards and sound effects characterize the final songs. All these combined help in the formation of the most important thing: the grim cold atmosphere this band is good at. We are talking about two great musical compositions and a perfect finale. Too bad this supreme part of the album only lasts for about 15 minutes.

All in all, "Sons Of Northern Darkness" leaves you with mixed feelings. Bearing elements of Immortal's all previous releases and especially the last two, there really isn't anything new here to appreciate. And even if the sound quality, mastering, mixing and general composing approach is much more mature, the band only takes advantage of it in the last few songs. Too bad, because this release had much potential.

Rating: 6.2 out of 10

Review by Felix on December 4, 2019.

I admit that I still regret the split of Immortal. With the exception of Blizzard Beasts, the band always delivered black metal of the highest quality. Their manifesto of fury, Pure Holocaust, remains untouchable. Nevertheless, albums like the here presented Sons of Northern Darkness enriched the genre. Although they signed a contract with the somewhat greedy guys of Nuclear Blast, Abbath and Demonaz did not break with their past. Nevertheless, Sons of Northern Darkness was not the unofficial second part of a previous album. It did not possess the weird aura of their debut and it failed to deliver the inferno of Pure Holocaust. Its eight songs did not generate the majestic feelings of At the Heart of Winter and the technical masturbation of Blizzard Beasts was fortunately a thing of the past. The guys of Immortal showed the next step of their development while offering a mix of high-speed songs and almost elegiac tracks. In alignment with the different compositional patterns, the varied guitar work commuted between bulky riffs, flattening chords and more or less melodic lines.

"Demonium" was the only song that could not keep up with the other tunes. Its riffing reminded me a little of the hectic fourth full-length of the group. However, Nuclear Blast had opened the wallet so that the flawless production improved the impression of every single track. As a result, there was no need to stigmatize the song as a flop. The slightly convoluted guitars were just unable to develop their full effect. However, on each and every album, one track must be the worst and, as mentioned before, "Demonium" reached at least an average level. The good news is that it was much more difficult to identify the greatest highlight of the album, because there existed a lot of pretenders to the throne. One candidate for the award was "In My Kingdom Cold". It bundled the competencies of the band and demonstrated them within intensive seven minutes. Blast beats fueled the opening riff before the band reduced the velocity in order to make way for the less craggy chorus. But the most concise section of the song was marked by the ironclad mid-tempo part that set in at 3:42. The stoic rhythm guitar laid the foundation for a minimalist yet mighty melody line.

In general terms, the band made good use of its well-known advantages. Small details like a simple wind sample at the beginning of "Antarctica" were enough to create an icy aura, the hoarse vocals did not lack of power and the guitars combined aggressiveness and harmonies in a more or less faultless way. Appropriate breaks prevented that the songs suffered from repetitiveness. The almost overlong pieces of the album´s second half were even better than first four tracks. They emphasized the Nordic atmosphere sustainably. "Beyond the North Winds", for example, gave rise to endless white fields and inhospitable icebergs. While offering a fine mix of desperation and combativeness, the song was a worthy conclusion of the sixth studio album of the mature three-piece. Some might say that the full-length offers too many mid-paced parts. I think it is pointless to philosophize about this point of view. Sons of Northern Darkness was defaced with a ridiculous cover, but it was and still is definitely not a lame album. Although it lacks a bit of spectacular elements, its grim songs still belong to the best examples of Norwegian black metal.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Krys on January 31, 2002.

“The icy dawn lifts with a horizon like nordens on fire...
This ride will be the one...”

This is the one, indeed. Immortal on “Sons of Northern Darkness” takes you on a ride through 8 amazing tracks that can only be described as breathtaking glorious hymns that will make your fists pump in the air and you heart jump out of your chest in the most celebrated victory dance you’ve ever experienced.

I truly don’t know if I can describe this album and give you at least a glimpse of how powerful and astounding this masterpiece is. If I could use only one word and move on to the next release I would use “perfect,” but I can’t. “Sons of Northern Darkness” took over my heart and soul and I’m having hell of a hard time taking it from my player and replacing it with something else.

Compared to what our Bergen-based outfit did on their previous releases, “Sons of Northern Darkness” takes every single department to another level and shows that the full month spent in Peter’s Abyss studio was not wasted ‘cause everything, and I mean everything, is perfect here. From song structures, arrangements, atmosphere to production I can’t find even the smallest imperfection, but this album is not about finding mistakes or any faults of any kind it’s about taking heavy metal to another level of immortality and glory.

That’s not just black metal, but heavy metal as a whole genre. This opus has more pure traditional metal influences than any Immortal album had ever before, and while black metal is the main core, 80’s thrash or even pure rock riffs are incorporated into every track with such precision and tact that anyone who doubted this band of having excellent composing ability will change his mind and join the forces of the army of northern sons.

From the ripping guitar lines of Abbath on ‘One by One’ or the majestic ‘Beyond the North Waves’ to the thunderous drumming on title track or ‘Demonium’, Immortal’s trio sets the bar so high that even though 2002 has just begun, I find it hard to imagine someone surpassing “Sons of Northern Darkness” as the album of the year. Brutal but with irresistible melodies mixed with acoustic, atmospheric parts, I pronounce “Sons of Northern Darkness” as the epic of the new millennium.

Bottom Line: I don’t know if you ever had this feeling of being proud, victorious and on top of the world after listening to an album, but I had and it was after “Sons of Northern Darkness”. If this CD doesn’t make its way into your collection, you’ll be making enemies.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 10
Originality: 10
Overall: 10

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Jeger on July 23, 2024.

Finland’s own Azaghal are among the most prestigious of the Finnish black metal elite. Boasting one of the world of black metal’s most vast and comprehensive discographies, they have, since 1998, been a proud staple in most BM monger’s catalogues. And for very good reason. Some of their finest albums: 2002’s “Of Beasts and Vultures”, 2012’s “Nemesis” and their latest opus, “Alttarini on luista tehty”, just a few of the groundbreaking LP’s that have been bestowed upon their legion. And it only gets sweeter with age.

Black Faith are one of the obscure yet celebrated Italian black metal scene’s most impactful collectives. Having been birthed by Satan’s whore in the purest Hellfire back in 2004, they are late bloomers to an Italian conglomerate that began not after but alongside the Scandinavian and Greek movements. A scarce discography in comparison to Azaghal’s but a worthy one nonetheless. And no finer example of contemporary Italian black metal. In the age-olde tradition of collaboration and the spreading of Satan’s black gospel, Azaghal and Black Faith released their split record, “Immortalized In Luciferian Blood” in April under the black mark of Nero Corvino Records.

During the first half of “Immortalized In Luciferian Blood”, Azaghal establish a firm grip upon the jugular of the recording; incurring upon your filthy souls three stripped-down in comparison to their latest LP and rotten-to-the-core album cuts in “Paholaisen Musta Kieli”, “Kaikki Kuolevat Yskin” and “Ikuisuus Huutaa Hiljaa”. A different side to the band here; a bit more grime and the lowliest melodies to lull you into a state of diabolical revelry in the only way Azaghal are capable of: world-class, elite (there’s that word again) and as always uncompromising in their approach to the black craft.

Black Faith take on the challenge of following up such a fine contribution and do the spirits proud with three infernal tracks of their own: “Lesser Gods”, “Cold Fire of the Soul” and “Ethica Moralis”. Their style a subtle homage to the earliest days of the Italian scene but with a modernized touch that compliments the prior contribution as opposed to transporting you back to the Golden Age. We’ve all been there a million times, so eyes forward and on with the sacrificial rites as given by one of Italy’s most sinister outfits. Thrash-laden black metal that channels the dawning of the thrash movement with chugging riffs and greasy speed metal progressions. A headbanger! Can’t really say that about too many black metal albums.

“Immortalized In Luciferian Blood” is as fine and as straightforward as splits come. No off-putting remixes, live cuts or covers; only the kind of artisan quality you’ve come to expect from both bands. Hands down, one of the most well-put-together collaborations I’ve had the pleasure of laying ears upon. And what better way to have it than under the warm gaze of His Infernal Majesty? From the cover art down to the very last note, a near perfect record and a fine example of one group bringing out the best in another.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Felix on December 15, 2023.

Are Azaghal immortal? Well, after 25 years in business they have reached at least a little of immortality, right? On this split called Immortalized In Luciferian Blood, they come up with three pieces of which the second is the most unusual. 'Kaikki Kuolevat Yksin' starts like a kind of dark rock song with deep, very controlled lead vocals. More or less typical diabolic black metal vocals show up at the end, but they do not characterize the song. The same goes for its partly pretty furious center part. Given this, the song is more or less a surprise in the opulent portfolio of the Finnish legend.

Their remaining tracks break in like a blizzard. I prefer 'Ikuisuus Huutaa Hiljaa', because the opener suffers a bit from its stop-and-go guitar lines. No big deal, but nuances make the difference in a challenging competition. Anyway, 'Paholaisen Musta Kieli' scores with expressive, tragic guitar lines before a thundering high-speed section brings the song to its end. The already mentioned final track of Azaghal has the potential to drive you insane. Its menacing riffs create a cloudy, grey sky before your inner eye, the merciless speed of the drums and the murderous guitar work ensure a hellish density and so the listener cannot ignore a voice in his head which gets louder and louder, saying: “Black metal is the real thing”. True.

To me, Black Faith from Italy were a blank slate so far. Nevertheless, they are no newcomers and their songs shine with coherence and a good flow. By the way, 'Lesser God' flows directly into the next track which welcomes the listener with extremely memorable, profoundly heavy riff. This opening is as wonderful as Italian food, if I am not mistaken. Generally speaking, Black Faith also transport a truly discomforting mood. Okay, this can be expected on a black metal split album, but it is definitely surprising that the Italians do not stand in the shadow of Azaghal. The slightly robotic voice does not appear as the optimal solution for the lead vocals, but they are still good and I do not see any other weak points.

Just like their partners from the cold North, the (only) two dudes of Black Faith commute between fairly melodic parts and apocalyptic shredding. 'Cold Fire Of The Soul' shows both facets impressively without making it impossible to decode the songs. It is rather easy to get access to the tracks. It would be not fair to call some sections of their songs primitive. Nevertheless, sometimes the Italians sound like the black metal edition of At War (and I hope you remember this thrash band with an affinity for rather simple structures)... Conclusion - despite this successful cooperation, neither Black Faith nor Azaghal are immortal. However, this split increases their glory. Six well produced tracks from two churlish formations are always a reason to feel good, especially if they lead you very close to the sinister core of the sub-genre. And exactly that’s the case here.

Rating: 8 out of 10