IMMORTAL

Formed by ex-members of Amputation and Old Funeral.

Euronymous of Mayhem is credited for getting Abbath into black metal and as a result, Abbath getting Varg Vikernes (Burzum) into black metal as well. Despite these associations, Immortal's primary members have never been involved in the more controversial activities of some of their contemporaries in the second wave of black metal. Their lyrics have also never involved the religious or political ideologies often associated with the scene to any great extent, instead being concerned with darkness and evil in a fantasy setting.

Co-founder Demonaz stepped down from being the guitarist of band in 1997 due to severe tendinitis in his arms that prevented him from playing fast guitar. He has continued to write lyrics and has occasionally served as manager for Immortal since. In 2013, Demonaz had surgery to correct his tendonitis, giving him the ability to play the guitar again.

In 2003 Abbath, Demonaz, and Horgh decided to stop working with Immortal due to personal reasons. Abbath started playing in a Motörhead cover band called Bömbers, together with Tore Bratseth (Old Funeral, Desekrator) and Pez, and also started the more traditional metal band I.

Immortal reformed in June 2006 and later released one more album All Shall Fall but in March 2015 the band split-up once again due to disagreement between the members. Abbath went on to record a new album under his own name.

The band was reactivated again in August 2015, and features a lineup of Demonaz and Horgh. The justification for this was that because Abbath failed to secure the trademark to the band's name and was also pursuing his new solo project, Demonaz was free to use the Immortal moniker.

In 2018, the band released their first album without Abbath.

As of August 2020, Demonaz and Horgh are involved in a legal dispute over the rights to the band's name. While Demonaz intends to be the sole name proprietor as the only remaining founding member, Horgh considers the name property should be a joint ownership between Demonaz and him.

According to the band, "Blashyrkh" is a mystical place only known by its name; a demon and battle-filled realm of eternal darkness and winter.