In an exclusive statement to Metal Hammer, the iconic Norwegian black metal band Immortal will have a new line-up, and the Immortal name, “will rest.” This comes from an announcement written from the third person by co-founding vocalist and guitarist Abbath (Olve Eikemo).
“Immortal’s frontman and founding member has been writing and rehearsing fervently, with a deluge of new material ready to be recorded; unable to come to an agreement in order move forward with the other members of the band, he has formed a new line up. Whilst grateful and respectful for the contributions of Demonaz, Horgh and Apollyon, the time is now right for Abbath to present his art to the world and continue to evolve the legacy.”
Now Abbath will move forward and over the next two years will put out an album, the first since 2009s All Shall Fall, along with some live performances – but it won’t be under the Immortal name:
“Using his own name is a natural step for Abbath, having become iconic and synonymous with the band that he co-founded in 1990. That’s 25 years of powering face first into the northern wind; a milestone for any band, and rather than exploit it by dragging Immortal’s name through the mud, Abbath will instead carry his own on his back.
The name of Immortal, for the time being, will rest; the essence, the power, the music – and Abbath – will not.”
Trouble was brewing in the Immortal camp as recently as December, when it was revealed that Abbath figured that co-founder Demonaz and drummer Horgh (who’s been playing with Swedish death band Hypocrisy since 2004) quit the band. Let the battle for the Immortal name commence!
