What Happened to Olve Eikemo (Abbath Doom Occulta)?

Olve Eikemo, known to the metal world as Abbath Doom Occulta, established himself as an iconic figure in Norwegian black metal as the vocalist and guitarist for Immortal, a band he co-founded in 1991. His distinctive corpsepaint, crabwalk stage presence, and unique vocal style became synonymous with the genre. Immortal released eight studio albums with Abbath, including critically acclaimed works like 'At the Heart of Winter' (1999) and 'Sons of Northern Darkness' (2002).

The pivotal turning point in Abbath's career came in March 2015 when he departed from Immortal after a protracted legal dispute over the rights to the band's name and logo. While Abbath claimed he was essentially ousted, his former bandmates, Demonaz and Horgh, stated that the conflict stemmed from Abbath's personal problems and inconsistent commitment, including canceled rehearsals and a refusal to enter rehab, which hindered the band's progress. They also accused him of secretly attempting to trademark the Immortal name himself, an application that was ultimately denied.

Following his departure, Abbath swiftly formed his eponymous solo band, Abbath, releasing their self-titled debut album in January 2016 through Season of Mist. This album was well-received, demonstrating his continued creative force. The band's lineup has seen some changes over the years, but consistently featured Abbath on vocals and guitars. The second album, 'Outstrider', followed in July 2019, further solidifying his solo career and showcasing a blend of black metal with rock 'n' roll influences. However, 2019 also saw a significant setback when Abbath abruptly ended a show in Buenos Aires after only two songs and canceled the remainder of a South American tour, citing 'health issues' later revealed to be linked to addiction. He subsequently announced his commitment to a rehab program.

Abbath's third studio album, 'Dread Reaver', was released in March 2022, receiving positive reviews for its aggressive sound and continued exploration of his signature style, often described as 'black n' roll'. The album included a cover of Metallica's 'Trapped Under Ice'. As of 2026, Abbath continues to tour and perform. He is slated for a 'Return To The Raven Realms' Australian tour in January 2026, where he plans to perform a special setlist of classic Immortal tracks. However, recent events indicate ongoing struggles; on August 14, 2026, Abbath's performance at Finland's SaariHelvetti Festival was cut short after he threw down his guitar and walked off stage during the opening song, appearing without his usual corpsepaint. His drummer, Ukri Suvilehto, apologized to the audience, attributing the incident to Abbath's 'health problems', without specifying the nature of these issues. This incident echoes past troubled performances, suggesting that his battle with personal demons continues to impact his professional life.