IMMORTAL

Immortal emerged from Bergen, Norway, in the late 1980s and early 1990s as an unmistakable force in the second wave of black metal. Anchored by the songwriting partnership of Abbath and Demonaz, the band combined raw aggression, frigid atmospheres, and a unique mythic vision — later known as Blashyrkh — to forge a sound and image that influenced countless bands to follow.

From Old Funeral and Amputation to Immortal

Before Immortal, members played in early extreme-metal projects such as Old Funeral and Amputation. These bands incubated the musicians and ideas that would become Immortal: Olve “Abbath” Eikemo and Harald “Demonaz” Nævdal had roots in the late‑1980s underground scene, and by 1990–1991 they formed Immortal with a focus on darker, colder, and more atmospheric music.

Influences and the Birth of a Vision

Musically, Immortal drew inspiration from early extreme acts such as Bathory, Venom, and Celtic Frost but quickly moved toward a rawer black metal sound. Lyrically and visually, they emphasized the Norwegian landscape — winter, mountains and isolation — and Demonaz conceived Blashyrkh, a mythic realm that tied their songs together with a consistent thematic identity.

First Recordings and the Move Toward Black Metal

The band’s first recordings, released in the early 1990s, show a transition from death‑metal roots toward a harsher, more atmospheric black metal. Early EPs and demos caught the attention of independent labels and helped Immortal secure a deal with Osmose Productions, which released much of their early catalog.

Early Albums: Establishing the Icy Sound

Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism (1992)

Immortal’s debut captured a raw, urgent energy and introduced the cold, frostbitten atmosphere that would become their trademark. Though production was intentionally rough, the album laid the groundwork for the band’s identity.

For a more detailed review of Immortal’s first album click on the album covers

Pure Holocaust (1993)

With faster tempos and more ferocious riffing, Pure Holocaust solidified Immortal’s reputation in the underground. The album’s relentless pace and icy imagery set it apart from many contemporaries.

Battles in the North (1995)

By Battles in the North, Immortal had refined their approach: extreme tempos, mythic lyricism, and sharper production combined to produce one of their most iconic early records. Tracks from this era reinforced the band’s visual language of frozen landscapes and solitary grandeur.

Line‑up Changes and Creative Core

Although drummers changed during the early years, Abbath and Demonaz remained the songwriting heart of Immortal. Their collaboration shaped the band’s riffs, vocal character, and the Blashyrkh narrative that unified their work.

Contribution to the Second Wave of Black Metal

Immortal belongs among Norway’s defining black metal bands, yet they stood out by channeling the genre’s extremity into a mythic, nature‑driven concept. Rather than relying solely on shock tactics, they developed an enduring aesthetic — the icy, atmospheric sound often described as the “frostbitten” strand of black metal.

Legacy of the Early Years

The band’s early output — raw yet visionary — set the stage for a career that would influence generations of metal artists. From the rough edges of their debut to the sharper menace of Battles in the North, Immortal’s early history remains a blueprint for atmosphere-driven black metal.