It takes testicular fortitude to visually capture the frostbitten essence of Norwegian black metal. For many fans of this musical genre, there could be no other man for the job than photographer Peter Beste. A question-and-answer session with Beste regarding photographing IMMORTAL reads as follows.

Q: You’ve traveled a lot in support of your book, True Norwegian Black Metal; was the last time you’d worked with Abbath the time you photographed him for it?

A: “I've photographed Abbath a few times now. Once in 2004 at Edward Grieg's villa in Bergen [Norway], various live occasions, and again in 2007 in the amazing woods near his house outside Bergen. This is where I shot the photo of him pointing in the woods.”

Q: Did you shoot the band in the same forest? If yes, what connection do you suspect the band – or Abbath – has to it?

A: “Immortal have used that forest and its surroundings for most Immortal photo and video shoots throughout their history. Since it's less than a mile from where he lives and grew up, I imagine he has a strong connection to it.”

Q: The stone ruin in the shot where Abbath is running with a weapon in hand. Is it of any significance? Did the band choose it?

A: “This is the same medieval ruin where the cover for Immortal's first record Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism was shot. These locations were just a 5 minute walk apart. As a photographer, these are both dream locations for me.”

Q: Were you present for the application of their war paint or is that something that’s been off-limits to you as a photographer?

“Yes, I witnessed this. They played their new record All Shall Fall to get in the mood for the shoot. This was my first time to hear it, and I was very impressed!”

Starting September 25th in Europe (October 6th North America), All Shall Fall album will be available in four formats, including limited (to 500) box, digi and regular CD, as well as vinyl. The artwork on the gatefold digi will open to reveal a similar blue-tinged hue of the moon over two mountain tops, with the message “Demonic in this realm I haunt marked by the sign Caught between mighty winds Kingdom of evil find.” The current rash of shirts at www.NuclearBlast.de feature the album design, said inlay or new black and white photos of the trio brandishing an array of weaponry. You can even get a Demonaz (in make-up) pin!

A track-by-track run-down of All Shall Fall by BraveWords.com's Mark Gromen can be found at this location.