Abbath

Black Metal - Norway

Abbath Band

The ravens gaze ominously from above. The seas roar in anticipation. The mountains creak yet again. ABBATH’s remarkable new album, Dread Reaver, is upon us all. Two years in the making, ABBATH’s third full-length is the culmination of everything before it. A fusion of debut Abbath (2016) and follow-up Outstrider (2019), the aptly titled Dread Reaver extends its fantastical fangs outward and drives its cloven hooves onward. Indeed, there’s nothing like an ABBATH record. This is the darkest metal for epic journeys and ancient battles. Comprised of eight riveting tracks and a red-hot cover of METALLICA’s “Trapped Under Ice,” Dread Reaver shows ABBATH triumphing over all trials and tribulations, riding hard into merciless glory as the one and only “Lemmy of black metal.”

ABBATH was formed by Olve Eikemo (aka Abbath) in Bergen, Norway, in 2015. After splitting with vaunted extreme metallers IMMORTAL, the beguiling frontman and storied songwriter only had one path: ABBATH. Years before, he had proven that venturing out of the IMMORTAL constellation was not only plausible but doable with the I project, a short-lived, one-album (Between Two Worlds) band featuring notable musicians from IMMORTAL, ENSLAVED, and GORGOROTH. Indeed, once Eikemo was free of IMMORTAL’s ’s shackles, he was able to assemble a cadre of like-minded conspirators for his solo debut album, Abbath. So crucial was Abbath that the Norwegian Embassy in the UK ran a music/culture piece, while in Norway, the album was nominated for a Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy). Metal Hammer Germany even gonged Abbath with its Best Debut award. Follow-up album, Outstrider, was equally lauded. Billboard’s coverage sent shockwaves through the rock/metal scenes, while Kerrang! labelled it “dominating and creative,” awarding it 4Ks. Decibel also heaped praise on Outstrider, giving it the Best New Noise trophy. The new album Dread Reaver will yet again lionize ABBATH as leader of the frost-bitten pack.

Powered by Abbath’s creative musical imagination, Dread Reaver runs riotously out of the gate. The album’s edifice affords tracks like “Acid Haze,” “Scarred Core,” “The Deep Unbound,” and the album’s closing title track ample room to champion the extremes of black metal, heavy metal, and hard rock. While there are nods to NWOBHM greats, thrash metal’s luminaries, and black metal icons, Dread Reaver is unmistakably ABBATH. There is no other fingerprint. Paired with thought-provoking lyrics based on the historical figure of Othryades, ABBATH’s third album not only shouts exultant but reads like an ancient pyrrhic tale steeped in violence, sorrow, and grit. The idea of a Dread Reaver—a fearless duelist—can also be read as a metaphor for life’s actions and subsequent struggles. Be warned: Dread Reaver is ABBATH at his most menacing and accomplished.

Dread Reaver was produced by Endre Kirkesola, ABBATH, and Dag Erik Nygaard at Dub Studio in Kristiansand and Bergen Lydstudio, respectively. Kirkesola and Nygaard also engineered. Mixing was performed by ABBATH and Kirkesola, while the mastering was done by maestro Maor Appelbaum (FAITH NO MORE, ROB HALFORD) at Maor Appelbaum Mastering in Los Angeles. The goal was to field a storming production that sat firmly at the crossroads of Abbath’s heroes KISS, MOTÖRHEAD, MANOWAR and BATHORY. From the anthemic thrust of opener “Acid Haze” and the epic pound of “Dream Cull” to the rampaging “The Book of Breath” and the wicked cover of METALLICA’s “Trapped Under Ice,” Dread Reaver sounds as massive as Norwegian mountain and as fiery as the depths of Hell. Truly, the recording line-up of Abbath (guitar, bass, vocals), Ukri Suvilehto (drums), Ole André Farstad (guitars), and Mia Wallace (bass) found their sonic muse.

If “Ace of Spades” catapulted MOTÖRHEAD to fame and notoriety, then Dread Reaver will find ABBATH atop the metal’s gigantic heap, the spoils of icy blood, scorching sweat, and steely tears at his feet. As “Myrmidon” states, “Die with a smile, stare glassy-eyed up / At boiling skies! / Valkyries descend to gore-caked fen / Fallen warriors arise!” Lightning strikes thrice with ABBATH’s incredible Dread Reaver!

Line-up:

  • Abbath : Vocals & guitars
  • Ole Andre Farstad : Guitars
  • Ukri Suviletho : Drums
  • Frode Kilvik : Bass
Date Venue City Country Info Ticket
May 9th, 2024 Capitol Theatre Quebec City, QC Canada w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 10th, 2024 La Tulipe Montreal, QC Canada w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 11th, 2024 The Hub Kitchener, ON Canada w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 12th, 2024 Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, ON Canada w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 14th, 2024 The Majestic Theatre Detroit, MI United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 16th, 2024 Amsterdarm Bar Saint Paul, MN United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 17th, 2024 Castle Theatre Bloomington, IL United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 18th, 2024 Dark Lord Day Festival Munster, IN United States w/ Spiritworld, Fugitive, 1349 and High on Fire Buy Ticket
May 18th, 2024 Dark Lord Day Munster, IN United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 19th, 2024 TempleLive at Cleveland Masonic Cleveland, OH United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 20th, 2024 Deluxe at Old National Centre Indianapolis, IN United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 22nd, 2024 Buffalo Iron Works Buffalo, NY United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 23rd, 2024 The Sinclar Cambridge, MA United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 24th, 2024 Toad's Place New Haven, CT United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 25th, 2024 Gramercy Theatre New York, NY United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
May 26th, 2024 Maryland Deathfest Baltimore, MD United States w/ Imperial Triumphant, Black Anvil and Final Gasp Buy Ticket
Posted on February 29, 2024

The last time Abbath touched his horned-feet on American soil was all the way back in March 2020. No one needs to be reminded of what happened next. Because at long last, the charismatic black metal icon is returning to North America!

Posted on March 22, 2022

It is time! Norwegian metal titans ABBATH are now streaming their brand-new album ‘Dread Reaver’ in advance of the release date! The new offering is going to be released worldwide on Friday the 25th of March 2022, but can already be listened to via the official Season of Mist YouTube Channel tonight at 8 PM CET and you can find the link HERE

Posted on March 1, 2022

It is with great pride that we announce that Norwegian metal legend ABBATH has landed the cover of Outburn Magazine’s 96th issue! The issue will feature an exclusive, in-depth interview as well as a limited edition bundle that features autographed prints and other ABBATH memorabilia.

Posted on February 28, 2022

Norwegian metal titans ABBATH are now releasing a brand new lyric video for the song “The Book of Breath”, taken from the upcoming record ‘Dread Reaver’. The video is now streaming at the official Season of Mist Youtube Channel HERE.

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Dread Reaver
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