(Concert Review) Immortally Electrified: Abbath's Unforgettable Performance

I just got back from seeing the band Abbath, named after frontman Abbath Doom Occulta, live at the Electric Ballroom in Camden Town, and it was an unforgettable night. The Electric Ballroom is one of my favorite venues due to its perfect size and acoustics, with a capacity of about 1,500. I love a small, intimate venue with perfect temperature, and this was just that. The energy was off the charts, and Abbath Doom Occulta commanded the stage like the black metal legend he is. He delivered a 12-song setlist comprised entirely of Immortal classics, keeping everyone in the crowd completely electrified and mesmerized.

Every song was better than the one before; there was no time to even take a step back and ponder because the next song just stole the show. The band was tight. The band was ferocious, with bone-crushing drumming and icy, blistering guitar work that captured the true essence of black metal. The setlist was a perfect mix of Immortal favorites such as "Tyrants," "Mighty Ravendark," "Withstand the Fall of Time," and "Damned in Black." This selection made for a brutal and relentlessly intense experience. Abbath never stopped and ripped through the whole setlist with the same fierce energy from start to finish.

Abbath Doom Occulta, whose real name is Olve Eikemo, and Immortal are cornerstones of the black metal scene. Immortal, formed in 1991, is one of the pioneering bands of Norwegian black metal, known for their raw sound, atmospheric compositions, and influential albums like "At the Heart of Winter" and "Sons of Northern Darkness." Abbath Doom Occulta, the charismatic frontman, has been instrumental in shaping the genre’s aesthetic and sound, making both his solo work and his contributions with Immortal highly significant. His stage presence is nothing short of amazing, characterized by his corpse paint, imposing stature, black leather attire, and the way he commands the stage with his deep, raspy voice and signature guitar style.

There's a certain poetic irony in seeing Abbath on June 23, just a few days after the summer solstice—the longest and sunniest day of the year. Despite this, Abbath managed to conjure a dark, cold ambience that is the essence of black metal, intensifying the epic nature of the performance.

Often, bands that sound amazing on record can fall short live, but not here, not tonight. Abbath were equally good live, delivering an unbelievable performance. The crowd was not only energetic but also visibly thrilled, as if witnessing something epic and monumental. The production quality was top-notch, and Abbath's theatrical presence added an extra layer of intensity to the show. As it was my first time seeing them, the night was a visceral and memorable concert experience that I won't forget anytime soon.