Abbath

Abbath is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 2015 by Abbath Doom Occulta after he leaves Immortal. The project grows out of his work as Immortal’s guitarist and vocalist, and it develops as a separate band with a changing lineup. The name is also used for Doom Occulta himself as the central figure in the group.

Formation and early lineup

In 2015, Abbath Doom Occulta assembles a new lineup for the band. King ov Hell, known from God Seed, joins on bass, while a drummer performing under the name Creature fills the drum role. Vredehammer guitarist and vocalist Per Valla joins as a live guitarist. The band debuts at Tuska Open Air 2015, where it performs a completed song called “Fenrir Hunts”, later included on its first album.

Albums

The band’s self-titled debut album, Abbath, is released through Season of Mist. Its second studio album, Outstrider, follows in 2019. A revised lineup appears around this period with Ukri Suvilehto on drums, Raud on guitar and Mia Wallace on bass. The third studio album, Dread Reaver, is released in 2022.

Lineup changes

Creature leaves in late 2015, soon followed by Per Valla. Drumming duties are then handled live by Gabe Seeber, while Ole André Farstad, who contributes to the debut album recording, joins as a live guitarist. King ov Hell leaves in 2018, and Emil Wiksten also departs around the same time. In early 2020, Mia Wallace leaves shortly before a scheduled European tour and is replaced live by Rusty Cornell, before later rejoining the band in 2021.

Later activity

In 2016, the band begins work on a second album. In 2019, following a concert in Buenos Aires, Abbath Doom Occulta announces that he enters rehabilitation, and the remaining South American tour dates are cancelled after a performance that draws attention for delays and interruptions. In 2021, the band is reported to be recording its third album. In 2025, it performs at the Hell’s Heroes festival in Houston, Texas.