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By JEFF MAKI
The band I has been hyped for a long while thanks to it's all-star metal lineup of Abbath (Immortal) on vocals/guitar, Ice Dale (Enslaved) on guitars, T.C. King (Gorgoroth, Sahg) on bass and Immortal drummer Armagedda. When Immortal called it quits in 2003 (the band has since reunited), Abbath dabbled with a Motorhead tribute band called the Bombers, then eventually hooked up with his old friend Ice Dale to collaborate on an entirely new band. The result is I, a combination of Motorhead-style vocals and attitude with the darkness and evil mentality that comes with black metal.
Between Two Worlds can be closely compared to newer Satyricon material. The album has a raw and primitive stripped-down sound like Satyricon's Volcano or Now, Diabolical. “The Storm I Ride” is a Motorhead-inspired rocker. “Warriors” and the title track's classic metal riffs carry the songs to an almost epic Viking-metal height. This album has guitars at the forefront, with fast ’80s inspired riffing and fantastic solos from Abbath and Ice Dale.
If you're not a black metal fan, don't be scared away by the names here. Abbath has put together a great lineup of musicians and they deliver. This is for those who aren't afraid of their rock 'n roll a bit on the heavier side. This album has attitude and a certain vibe that not many other bands can capture on record. Let's hope the future will bring us more from I.
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