Immortal is one of Norway’s most influential black metal bands, and they underwent major internal conflicts, legal disputes, and lineup changes over the years. The band was founded in 1991 by Abbath Doom Occulta (Olve Eikemo) and Demonaz Doom Occulta (Harald Nævdal) in Bergen. Let’s see where they are today.
The Split with Abbath and Legal Disputes
A turning point for Immortal came in March 2015, when Abbath left the band after internal disputes. Fans speculated that his departure could mark the end of Immortal, but Demonaz and Horgh said otherwise. They cleared the air with an official statement, writing,“Immortal never stopped, we just had to go through a long legal process. Immortal is much more than just a band, and much more than just a form of music. The departure of one member cannot change that.”
This time, conflicts over the band’s name emerged in August 2020. Demonaz and Horgh disputed the rights to the band’s name, and this resulted in another legal battle. The situation was resolved in October 2022, and Demonaz was granted full control over Immortal. This was the beginning of a new era for the band.
Where is Immortal Now?
Immortal now operates as a one-man project under Demonaz’s leadership. In 2023, he released ‘War Against All’ as the band’s tenth studio album and its first without Horgh. This album proved that Immortal would continue despite past disputes and departures.
Meanwhile, Abbath pursued a solo career and embarked on the ‘Return to the Raven Realms’ tour in 2024. He continues to perform classic Immortal songs alongside his solo material. He is scheduled to appear at the Inferno Metal Festival.
So, it seems Immortal remains active after all, but there’s no news about new Immortal music or tours.
