Norwegian black metal titans ABBATH, the solo project of former IMMORTAL frontman Abbath (real name Olve Eikemo), have canceled the remaining shows on their South American tour.
The band revealed it was calling off the dates in a statement earlier today. The group wrote: “It is with heavy heart that we have to announce the cancellation of the remainder of the ABBATH South American ‘Outstrider’ tour. Due to health issues that need to be treated, we are unable to complete the last shows in Argentina and Brazil. We deeply apologize to all of our fans that wanted to come and see us, to the local promoters, and to Matrix Entertainment who has worked tirelessly in order to make this tour happen. We hope we can make it up to all you some day. We are very sorry.”
The cancelation comes less than a day after 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.
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