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Abbath

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Abbath

Olve Eikemo (born 1973, Bergen, Norway), better known by his stage name Abbath Doom Occulta, is a Norwegian composer, vocalist, guitarist, bassist, drummer, and one of the founding members of the influential black metal band Immortal. Before he founded Immortal, Abbath played bass for the early Norwegian extreme metal band Old Funeral, with future Immortal member Demonaz and Varg Vikernes of Burzum fame (Though they were not all in the band at the same time). While working with Old Funeral, he also joined Demonaz's band Amputation who later became the infamous Immortal. He also plays bass in Demonaz's newly started project Demonaz.

Although not primarily a drummer, he is also known to be surprisingly talented and proficent as a drummer, even using the techniques of blast beats and double bass (as heard on the Immortal albums Pure Holocaust and Battles In The North) which is highly present in black metal.

Immortal

Immortal's history begins in 1989 as death metal band Amputation. At various times throughout Immortal's existence, Abbath was lead vocalist, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer, and lyricist, mainly due to the inconsistent line-ups they were able to put together. During a long period of time, however, Abbath served the band as Vocalist, Bassist and (studio) Drummer while Demonaz played lead guitar. It wasn't until Horgh arrived that Immortal was able to secure a steady line-up; the problems however continued. After the release of Blizzard Beasts Demonaz was diagnosed with acute tendinitis, and was consequently forced to quit as guitarist, but remained as lyricist and band manager. They released At the Heart of Winter in 1999, this time with Abbath handling guitar and bass, with Horgh still on drums. This album marks a large shift in sound and style for the music of Immortal. In 2000 they released Damned in Black, with Iscariah on bass. Sons of Northern Darkness was released in 2002, with the same lineup.

Soon after the release of Sons of Northern Darkness, Immortal ceased to exist. The break-up was not caused by tensions or problems, but was rather a mutual one between all members, who claimed to do this for personal reasons.

In early June 2006, it was announced through a German Rock Hard magazine, that Abbath and Horgh would reunite as Immortal. They have begun practicing old material. In regard to when Immortal would start playing live again, Abbath is quoted saying:

"One year more or less doesn’t make a difference. We have all the time in the world."

They have began to tour again, recently playing shows at the Wacken festival in Germany, and touring for the first time in Australia and New Zealand in March, 2008. A new Immortal album is also due sometime in 2008.

Equipment

In the past Abbath used a GHL Jackson Randy Rhoads copy which he modified with new pickups, hardware, and a custom paint job. Currently he has primarily been using a ESP LTD DV8-R Dave Mustaine Model which he has modified to accept a Floyd Rose tremolo system. Abbath uses Engl Blackmore amps, Peavey Bandit amps and used to uses Mesa/Boogie amps. In an issue of Guitar World which features an interview with him, it is mentioned that he has an endorsment deal with ESP.

Abbath plays Pearl drums and B.C. Rich basses.

I

In 2006, Abbath started a new band called simply, "I". Abbath is the frontman and guitarist of "I" and is joined by former Immortal drummer Armagedda on drums, Gorgoroth bassist King on bass, Enslaved guitarist Arve Isdal on guitars, and former Immortal guitarist Demonaz writing lyrics. The debut album called "Between Two Worlds" was released in 2006.


Bömbers

Bömbers is a Motörhead tribute band formed in 1996. Abbath provides the Vocals and Bass, Tore (ex-Old Funeral) is on Guitars, and Pez (Punishment Park) is on Drums. During the Inferno Metal Festival 2007, Abbath joined the German thrash metal-band Sodom on stage and performed a Motörhead-cover of "Ace of Spades" (video available).

Cultural References

The character Lars Ümlaüt, from the Guitar Hero Series features much of the same clothing Abbath wears, and identical corpse paint. The reference is more apparent in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, as Ümlaüt's hair is jet black (rather than blonde) just like Abbath.

Abbath, along with Horgh, has become a minor internet meme after various promotional pictures became the subject of countless Photoshops and macros due to their over-the-top appearance. A large collection of these images appear on the Facebook group "Any picture can be improved by adding Immortal to it".

Official websites:

Unofficial websites:

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