Formed in the early ‘90s during the second wave of black metal in Bergen, Immortal is one of the most important forces in the Norwegian black metal scene. Like many in the scene, Immortal was originally a death metal act, but were introduced to black metal by Mayhem’s own Euronymous. Their memetic lead vocalist Abbath Doom Occulta, incidentally, introduced Varg Vikernes to black metal and played in an early black metal band with him.

Despite these connections, Immortal has never shared the more violent, apathetic, or far-right politics found among some of the second wave’s more notorious members. Immortal’s music focuses on darkness, war, and most importantly, Blashyrkh. Blashyrkh is a fictional place created by the band. It is best described as a belligerent frozen hell, inspired by the feelings of isolation felt by Immortal’s members in Bergen.

Their primary sound is black metal, but being originally a death metal band, they have dwelled in both death and thrash metal sounds. Following Battles In The North, the band’s sound is best described as a combination of black & thrash metal. Immortal broke up in the mid 2000s, but reunited for some touring and the release of the album All Shall Fall in ‘09.

Abbath has since parted ways with the band, forming an eponymous supergroup. The two remaining members continue to perform under the Immortal name, on the basis that Abbath never trademarked it.