Back in early 2015, Immortal announced its breakup alongside the new solo career of frontman and guitarist Abbath. Then in late 2015 there was a new report that Immortal had not broken up and would continue on with just Demonaz and Horgh, the former of which will be handling guitars, lyrics and vocals, while the latter will continue to handle drums.

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There was a bit of silence between with some not-so-friendly banter between the two parties, but now the time has come. Immortal has finished writing a new record without Abbath for the first time in its career, which will also apparently be the band's darkest effort yet.

Adding to that darkness and obvious anger is the fact that Immortal claims Abbath stole their music.

“IMMORTAL has completed the writing of their ninth full length studio album. – This will be our darkest and coldest album in a long time: pure Blashyrkh metal the way our fans know it, with massive majestic riffs, grim frostbitten vocals and tales from our mighty realm. Fast and furious tracks, epic tracks and longer playtime than any of our previous albums. Founding IMMORTAL member, lyricist and guitarist Demonaz is now also handling the vocals.

– The massive fansupport has been very inspiring and we will not let down the fans. The last year we have completed all the new songs and look forward to record our most passionate album in a long time. The songwriting process has been awesome and we are soon ready to start the recordings. Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading. In a time when true and origin Black Metal is nearly dead, the band is in ultimate spirit.

– After the last years incidents it was time to go back to the roots to what this band is really about musically, and also to take the integrity of the band back to where it belongs. Cold, grim uncompromising Blashyrkh metal with a true feeling is what we deliver. From 2010 until 2014, IMMORTAL wrote all the songs for the successor to “All Shall Fall“, but when ex- member Abbath left the band in 2014, he changed the lyrics, song titles and recorded these songs for his so called “solo album”.

– We had to focus on making a new album nearly from scratch, which is the main reason why things have taken this much time. We are now looking forward to record the new album and present it to all those who have shown their loyalty and support. IMMORTAL has always been a unique and unstoppable force, and that goes for our fans as well. We will never change our music or attitude. The album title and song titles will be revealed soon.” Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

There's a lot of music coming out in 2016, but I'd imagine this has immediately jumped to the top of the "Most Intriguing" list. What will an Abbath-less Immortal sound like? Will it just be Demonaz and Horgh, or will there be others involved anywhere else in the process or recording?