A Tribute to
Immortal Discography
First Pro Shot
(back of demo)
The now highly collectible demo
VHS Containing 2 Videos
Immortal Biography
Of all the Norwegian black metal bands, Immortal has, arguably, stuck the closest to the mystical, occult-inspired vision of the scene: the band members kept the evil-Kiss makeup throughout the band’s existence, rarely experimented outside of the traditional guitars-drums-bass instrumental configuration, and never revealed their real names. Brothers in pseudonyms only, vocalist/bassist Abbath Doom Occulta and guitarist Demonaz Doom Occulta formed Immortal in Bergen, Norway, in 1990.
Abbath was originally a member of Old Funeral, a death metal garage band that also included Varg Vikernes, who would later gain notoriety not only with his own project, Burzum, but for murdering Mayhem guitarist Euronymous; Demonaz had split from fellow Bergen scenesters Amputation. (Notably, Immortal always willfully separated itself from Mayhem’s oft-felonious black metal “inner circle” scene in Oslo, and downplayed its relationships with its members.) Inspired by the robust Norwegian forests and bitter cold climate, Abbath and Demonaz conceived the fictional, demon-and-battle-filled realm Blashyrkh, a foundation upon which all of Immortal’s lyrical journeys would rest.
The duo recruited drummer Armagedda and, briefly, second guitarist Jorn Inge Tunsberg, who left the fold after Immortal cranked out two demos, Suffocate and Northern Upins Death. Preferring to remain a three-piece, the band recorded the Unholy Forces of Evil/The Cold Winds of Funeral Frost 7” for the French label Listenable Records in 1991, which eventually led to Immortal’s contract with another French imprint, Osmose Records. Their debut full-length, Diabolical Full Moon Mysticism, was released in 1992 (distributed in North America by JL America); a more atmospheric, slower-tempo release than the majority of Immortal’s contemporaries.
When Abbath and Demonaz began incorporating more blast beats in their songwriting, Armagedda quit, forcing Abbath to perform all drum tracks on Immortal’s two highly influential albums, 1993’s Pure Holocaust and 1995’s Battles in the North. However, drummer Grim was pictured on the Pure Holocaust album cover, and would perform on Immortal’s first full-fledged European tour in 1993, prior to being fired (he would go on to play drums for Gorgoroth and Borknagar, eventually committing suicide in 1999). Mayhem skins man Hellhammer temporarily filled the drum seat for the band’s live commitments and the home video Masters of Nebular Frost, until Horgh could be permanently added to the lineup.
It was after the 1997 album Blizzard Beasts was released that Immortal would be dealt its most serious blow. With an acute case of tendonitis in his arms, Demonaz could no longer play guitar with the speed and intensity Immortal required, and was forced to leave the band, although he remained the group’s lyricist. Abbath switched from bass to guitar, and the group filled its bass slot with Aeturnus four-stringer Ares strictly for touring duties. Demonaz’s absence left the band’s songwriting burden purely on Abbath, who began penning more progressive, dynamic, and epic pieces.
Abbath would perform all instruments except drums on 1999’s highly acclaimed At the Heart of Winter full-length, which marked the beginning of the band’s relationship with producer Peter Tagtgren (singer/guitarist for Hypocrisy), who recorded Winter and its two follow-up albums at his soon-to-be-legendary Abyss Studios.
Bassist Iscariah was then permanently added to the lineup, which put out Damned in Black in 2000, and led to Immortal’s first full-fledged North American tour with fellow Norwegians Satyricon. In 2001, the band, looking for better U.S distribution for its albums, severed its longtime relationship with Osmose and signed to Nuclear Blast Records, which released Sons of Northern Darkness in 2002. They then headed on a brief European to promote the CD.
Immortal then headed on to the US directly from the European tour to support legendary Manowar throughout the continent. In addition to this, some more dates were added to the European tour to make it link directly with the US. Iscariah then decided to leave the band. New axe man chosen was, Saroth, who in addition to Immortal, also played bass for Swedish PAIN together with Horgh for their live shows. Unfortunately this sparked the beginning of the end of the road for Immortal.
After several concert dates were mysteriously canceled there were rumors flying around that the band had broken up, several days later it was announced that the in fact had not broken up but were simply on hiatus.
On July 21, 2003 the band announced on the official web site that in fact the band had decided that Immortal was now more, and in the now infamous words:
“After 13 years and 7 albums we have decided to stop working with IMMORTAL due to personal reasons. A great thanks to all our fans worldwide who helped us making IMMORTAL superb through all this time.”
* Abbath, Demonaz, Horgh *
Alas the final tones of the Immortal horn of resounding were heard. Our warriors have taken their place next to the gods of Valhalla and on the frozen plains of the tundra there was heard............. silence.
Hail to the Kings, Immortal is dead, Long Live Immortal!
~darkness
http://www.ravynslair.net/darkness
(more to come)
* All materials used, both text and images, are used with permission of the respective owners.
