What makes Into Cold Darkness by Vital Remains notable?

This album has been noted for its significant impact on the underground death metal community, gaining attention for its technical proficiency and dark themes. It helped establish Vital Remains as a formidable force in death metal, influencing countless bands that emerged in the late '90s and beyond. Into Cold Darkness marked Vital Remains' third studio album, following their 1994 release, 'Let Us Pray'. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the death metal scene, refining their sound with a more polished production while maintaining the raw intensity characteristic of their earlier work.

Who is Into Cold Darkness for?

Into Cold Darkness works well if you're into relentless energy throughout experience, immersive dark atmosphere and chaotic intensity for focus.

How many songs are on Into Cold Darkness?

Into Cold Darkness has 8 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Into Cold Darkness

Vital Remains · 1995

41 min · 8 tracks · death metal

A relentless onslaught of intricate guitar riffs and guttural vocals envelops listeners in an abyss of dark, chaotic energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Immortal Crusade — The opening track sets a ferocious tone with intricate guitar work and relentless drumming, showcasing the band's technical abilities and thematic depth.
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Crown of the Black Hearts — This track combines melodic elements with brutal aggression, highlighting Vital Remains' signature blend of chaos and melody that defines much of their work.
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Into Cold Darkness — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, featuring haunting melodies interspersed with aggressive rhythms that create an atmosphere of despair.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate riffs and varied vocal styles create a compelling yet intense death metal experience.

What we noticed

Vocals alternate between guttural growls and higher-pitched screams, adding to the chaotic energy of the tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

relentless energy throughout experience
immersive dark atmosphere
chaotic intensity for focus
short tracks for quick bursts

Maybe skip if you

seeking melodic calmness
prefer longer, gradual builds

Where this album fits

Career context: Into Cold Darkness marked Vital Remains' third studio album, following their 1994 release, 'Let Us Pray'. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the death metal scene, refining their sound with a more polished production while maintaining the raw intensity characteristic of their earlier work.
Stylistic neighbors: Behemoth· Dimmu Borgir· Nile

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Immortal Crusade 8:55
2 Under the Moon's Fog 6:44
3 Crown of the Black Hearts 3:39
4 Scrolls of a Millenium Past 5:18
5 Into Cold Darkness 3:50
6 Descent Into Hell 4:01
7 Angels of Blasphemy 3:52
8 Dethroned Emperor 4:46

What to play next

Listen next

Forever Underground

1997

Go back to

Let Us Pray

1991

Full Vital Remains discography Artists like Vital Remains

death metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata