Immortal's fifth album, "At the Heart of Winter," marks a pivotal moment in the band's trajectory, as it signals the rise of Abbath and a notable departure from their previous intensely harsh, high-speed black metal sound. Instead, the album ushers in a style with clear influences from heavy metal, placing a strong emphasis on crafting songs around exceptionally powerful and memorable riffs. While this direction takes a more "traditional" approach compared to their earlier works, it continues to showcase their signature ice-cold, brutally dark melodic sensibilities and unwavering aggression.
