Origin: Russia
Location: Murmansk, Murmansk Oblast
Formed: 2007
Status: Active
Genre: Ambient Black Metal (early); Progressive / Eclectic Rock (later)
Label: Independent
Themes: Coldness, Winter, Nature, Despair, Hate (early); Instrumental (later)
Years active: 2007–present
All the Cold is a Russian project from Murmansk that began in 2007 as an ambient/depressive black metal act before gradually transforming into an instrumental progressive and eclectic rock entity. Emerging from the frozen north, the band initially focused on bleak, atmospheric soundscapes built around themes of winter, isolation, despair, and misanthropy. Early material was rooted in lo‑fi ambient black metal, with long, hypnotic compositions, distant screams, and a pervasive sense of emotional numbness and cold.
The first phase of the band’s career was marked by a prolific series of demos, splits, and collaborations with other depressive and atmospheric black metal acts. Releases like Dark Sorrows of My Microcosm (2007) and Through the Dead World (2008) established their depressive ambient black metal style—minimalist yet immersive, with repetitive riffs and glacial pacing. Splits such as Possessed by Madness, Zapolyarie, Deep Cold, The Plague of Our Lands, and Children of Failure further cemented their reputation in the underground, often being highlighted in zines and blogs for their stark, emotionally draining atmosphere and strong sense of northern cold. The compilation One Year of Cold (2009) gathered this early material, presenting a cohesive snapshot of their first creative cycle.
A turning point came with the EP Heritage (2013), which many reviewers praised as a culmination of their ambient black metal era—melancholic, spacious, and more refined in composition and production. However, it was with the full‑length Manvantara (2015) that All the Cold began to fully embrace a new identity. The album moved decisively away from traditional black metal into instrumental, progressive, and cinematic territory, blending atmospheric rock, ambient passages, and complex, shifting structures. Critics and listeners noted its eclectic nature: tracks moving from delicate, almost post‑rock textures to heavy, guitar‑driven prog sections, all while retaining a cold, otherworldly mood.
This progressive, instrumental direction was expanded on the conceptual double release The Untold Swamp Fable (Act I & II) (both 2017), where the band crafted a sprawling, narrative‑like musical journey. These albums abandoned harsh vocals entirely, focusing instead on instrumental storytelling through layered guitars, keyboards, and dynamic arrangements. The music became less about explicit despair and more about mood, imagery, and abstract emotional states, while still carrying the spectral imprint of their black metal origins.
The single Into the Storm (2018) and the full‑length To the Emerald Land (2020) continued this evolution, leaning further into progressive and atmospheric rock with strong melodic sensibilities and a cinematic feel. Reviews often emphasized the project’s successful transition from depressive black metal to a unique instrumental voice, capable of evoking vast landscapes and introspective journeys without relying on vocals. Later releases like the single Zero Coordinates (2022) and the album Portal Makers (2024) confirmed All the Cold as a fully realized instrumental progressive project, characterized by intricate guitar work, shifting rhythmic patterns, and a persistent sense of cold, cosmic distance.
Throughout its existence, All the Cold has remained a studio‑focused project, operating largely outside the live circuit and cultivating a cult following through recordings and word of mouth. The core members’ involvement in other underground bands—particularly within the Russian black metal and atmospheric scenes—has further reinforced the project’s status as a bridge between depressive black metal roots and exploratory, progressive instrumental music.
Current members
Past members