Former IMMORTAL frontman Abbath , who currently leads his own namesake band, has decided to enter rehab after the cancelation of several shows on the latter group's South American tour.
Earlier today, Abbath — whose real name is Olve Eikemo — issued the following statement: "Outstriders, throughout life you're dealt different decks of cards. I've been fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to live my dream, which is writing music, putting out records and touring the world, playing to fans all over the globe. For the most part it has been a tremendous ride, but there's also been moments where things have gone wrong. Most notably during the recent tour of South America, where we had to cancel shows in Argentina and Brazil.
"It's no secret that I've been battling addiction. I have now come to realize that it's time to pick a fight with this demon. I've committed myself to a rehab program that's going to help me get clean once and for all. I feel more motivated and determined than ever to win this battle.
"Due to my program, we need to cancel the December shows that we have scheduled with my other band, BÖMBERS . We do apologize to our fans that was looking forward to these shows. We will make it up to all of you, and we're currently working on rescheduling these shows.
"Right now I'm very much looking forward to be coming back clean, stronger and more focused and fired up than ever.
"Europe and USA, you have been warned, we'll hunt you down like a thunderstorm next year. Nothing is going to stop us.
"Horns up! Abbath "
Earlier in the month, ABBATH played a disastrous two-song concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, resulting in some fans requesting a refund.
According to report on the local metal site El Culto , the doors to Club Palermo opened two hours later than scheduled, forcing support acts DESCARNADO and MEDIUM to play heavily abbreviated sets. When ABBATH finally took the stage, the group consisted only of its visibily inebriated namesake frontman alongside bassist Mia Wallace and drummer Ukri "Uge" Suvilehto . Rumors had spread earlier in the day that Abbath had gotten into an argument with guitarist Ole André Farstad , who reportedly decided to stay at the hotel and skip the gig.
ABBATH reportedly tried to open the concert with "Count The Dead" at least twice, only for the frontman to drop his guitar on the ground after 10 seconds and throw himself into the crowd. They then tried to perform a "very poor version" of the song "Tyrants" by Abbath 's former band IMMORTAL , before Abbath left the stage and was taken to the dressing room, from which he did not re-emerge to finish the set.
ABBATH was touring South America in support of its second album, "Outstrider" , which was released in July via Season Of Mist .
"Outstrider" marks ABBATH 's second release since the frontman's exit from IMMORTAL . The highly publicized legal battle in 2014 over the rights to the IMMORTAL name pitted Abbath against co-founder Demonaz (real name: Harald Nævdal ) and drummer Horgh (real name: Reidar Horghagen ), with Abbath claiming the pair abandoned IMMORTAL after they moved their gear out of the band's rehearsal space. The Norwegian court systems determined otherwise, and awarded the IMMORTAL name to Demonaz .
