Band:	I
Album:	Between Two Worlds
Style:	Blackened heavy metal
Release date:	November 2006

01. The Storm I Ride
02. Warriors
03. Between Two Worlds
04. Battalions
05. Mountains
06. Days Of North Winds
07. Far Beyond The Quiet
08. Cursed We Are
09. Bridges Of Fire [limited edition bonus]
10. Shadowed Realms Intro [limited edition bonus]
11. Shadowed Realms [limited edition bonus]

It's been three years since Immortal front man Olve "Abbath" Eikemo decided to split during the summer of 2003, blowing the black flame out on his mighty Immortal. However, in mid-October 2005, Abbath, Demonaz, and original Immortal drummer Armagedda reunited, and along with ex-Gorgoroth bassist King Ov Hell and Enslaved guitarist Arve Isdal, they began work on a new project, dubbed I. Furthermore, with the reunion of Immortal for some European Festivals like Tuska and Wacken Open Air, it appears that their absence is nothing more than some temporary hiatus. As we wait for the next album of Immortal, you can be sure that I and their debut full length 'Between Two Worlds' will regain the lost throne of Immortal.

Seriously, what do you expect from a veritable Black Metal all-star line up? For me, it's much more than I expected. Clearly Abbath has written some of the strongest metal riffs in recent years, and that's counting impressive comebacks from masters like Slayer, Iron Maiden and Motorhead. The thundering opening of 'The Storm I Ride' is simply great and the title tracks' main riff contains some countermelodies that further awake songs in memory, the likes of which haven't been heard since Motorhead's Ace Of Spades. Just two highlights among many.

As I said, Between Two Worlds was much more than I expected, I was waiting for an album which incorporates elements in the vein of Venom and the now fallen black metal godfather of Bathory, but surprisingly enough, this album isn't an underground hatched job. Quite the contrary, you can find raw and fast blasting aggression that covers the area in a heavy black metal atmosphere. Forget your boring 'kvlt' black metal sound; here we have an amazing masterpiece of modern day black metal. Needless to mention that I is not Immortal, so you will find some rock 'n' roll elements as if it was Motorhead combinations.

The only problem in Between Two Worlds is Abbath's vocals. He kept the same vocals of Damned In Black, so quite naturally, it wouldn't be excellent, but honestly, Abbath isn't challenging Bruce Dickinson or Rob Halford. Basically, he sounds like Lemmy Kilmister, with shades of Alice Cooper.

Between Two Worlds, is a solid debut for 'I' and will easily fall in my top 20 albums for 2006. No doubt, it will please the majority of Immortal's fans as well as the hardcore fans. And as far as I'm concerned, I won't cease on calling for Immortal's quick return. Trust me, this album rocks?yes it rocks.

Watch out for the Digi/Limited Edition which features 3 bonus tracks.