Abbath plays Immortal in Utrecht
+ Kampfar, VLTIMAS and Hulder
Olve Eikemo, better known as Abbath, is a legendary artist. His role in Immortal, which he fronted for 24 years, made him into one of the most well-known black metal musicians in history. Despite his bitter break-up with the band he co-founded, he has not turned away from what he created with them, and is now embarked on a tour that revisits some of that output. He’s joined in this mission by Kampfar, Vltimas, and Hulder, promising a great night for black metal fans.
VLTIMAS
I got to the venue just in time to see Vltimas, the extreme metal supergroup featuring David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), Rune "Blasphemer" Eriksen (Aura Noir, ex-Mayhem), and Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy). Sadly, despite the palpable excitement in the crowd, the evening faced an unfortunate setback due to technical problems that delayed the performance.
Once the issues were resolved, however, Vltimas delivered a solid set, showcasing their recently released album “EPIC”, as well as a couple of tracks from their debut "Something Wicked Marches In." David Vincent's commanding stage presence and powerful vocals, coupled with the intricate guitar work and relentless drumming, created a sonic onslaught that resonated with the audience. Tracks like "EPIC" and "Everlasting" really stood out, demonstrating the band's ability to seamlessly blend death and black metal elements.
Though the technical delays dampened the initial atmosphere, Vltimas still managed to energize the crowd with their performance and tight musicianship, opening their appetite for what was still to come.
Kampfar
As expected, Kampfar's raw aggression was absolutely hypnotic. Dolk, with his black rubber gloves seemingly duct-taped to his arms, exuded a captivating, slightly unhinged energy. As he eventually removed his shirt to reveal his Kampfar tattoos, his commitment to the band was unmistakable.
The technical problems that delayed Vltimas' performance unfortunately cut into Kampfar's set time, forcing them to rush through only seven songs. This left out beloved tracks like "Tornekratt" and their usual closer, "Der Sorte," much to my disappointment.
On the merchandise front, Kampfar had some great items available, but since this wasn't a full tour for them, many pieces were already sold out by the time I got there (😞). These issues notwithstanding, Kampfar's intense and hypnotic show left a strong impression, proving their enduring appeal even when forced to shorten their set.
Abbath
One of the best things of seeing Abbath perform is the fact that, very clearly, he doesn’t care about appearing TRVE or KVLT. He doesn’t take himself seriously at all and, instead, spends a big chunk of his time clowning around. This isn’t just about his crab-walk or hip-thrusting moves, but also about the attitude he shows as he interacts with the crowd. Despite the darkness of the music and lyrics, he still wants to get the occassional laugh.
The music is serious. He isn’t.
Abbath took the stage to deliver a powerful set comprised solely of Immortal songs. Opening with "Mount North," the performance quickly gained momentum with the classic "Call of the Wintermoon." The band seamlessly reviewed every era of Immortal's storied history, much to the delight of the crowd, who spent most of the show moshing and screaming.
Joined by accomplished musicians like Ole André Farstad on guitars, Abbath made sure he remained the focal point of the evening, even taking the lead in songs like “All Shall Fall”. His charismatic stage presence and theatrical antics, including his signature crab-walk, added a layer of entertainment to the intense musical experience.
Despite the earlier technical delays that affected Vltimas and Kampfar, Abbath's set went off without a hitch. His performance was a testament to his resilience, distancing himself even further from the personal challenges he experienced on previous tours. Abbath really seemed to be at the top of his game, delivering each song with the ferocity and precision that fans have come to expect.
It was great to see Abbath back in peak form, confidently leading his band through a memorable and electrifying performance. His ability to engage the crowd, combined with the sheer power of Immortal's music, created an unforgettable night.
We left the venue buzzing with excitement, hoping that one day we might witness Abbath once again under the Immortal banner. For now, this commanding solo performance, filled with the timeless music of Immortal, will have to satify our black metal cravings.
