IMMORTAL Frontman Discusses I Project

Elina of Greece's Metal Temple webzine recently conducted an interview with IMMORTAL/I frontman Abbath. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow:

Metal Temple: How come you chose this humble name for the new project?

Abbath: I didn't want to call it ABBATH so…

Metal Temple: [Laughs] Ok, I get your point!

Abbath: I thought it was a brilliant idea. It was Demonaz's idea and while I was struggling to find a name, I didn't want to call it ABBATH even though it's kind of a solo project and of course not IMMORTAL because it's not IMMORTAL but a solo project. Demonaz suggested the name I and I thought it was just great! He also came with the name IMMORTAL back then! So, yes, it's cool and I think that this name. I really symbolizes things; it's like a column!

Metal Temple: What were the impressions from the Hole In The Sky Festival in August which was also the first appearance of I?

Abbath: People liked it. I was struggling a bit on stage because I was suffering from an infection and after a couple of songs I was in a lot of pain and it was difficult to do a lot of stuff on stage, but I had to be focused until the show was over. We also didn't have a very good sound on stage because we didn't have a sound check so it was…well, it has been better! But, we did the best we could under that situation and the audience seemed to like it.

Metal Temple: What about the song "Far Beyond the Quiet" and its dedication to Quorthon of BATHORY? How did this occur?

Abbath: Actually, when I composed that song, there wasn't any intention to make it sound like BATHORY but it ended up like that. So, Demonaz, when he listened to it, he told me that this could be a pretty cool dedication to Quorthon if he could also write the lyrics in his spirit, as he too is a big fan of Quorthon's writing. So he did a fantastic job with that as well.

Metal Temple: In what ways do you believe your music has progressed through this album?

Abbath: It's like we are on a balance point with this one. We have searched the golden past, but we have also opened new doors and made something fresh for this new era. That's generally my opinion and I think that many people agree with it. A lot of people are actually waiting for this album

Metal Temple: Are there any touring plans arranged?

Abbath: We haven't planned any tour or anything with I, but I would love to come to the Rockwave Festival with IMMORTAL, although there aren't any offers from its organizers, but anyway, I would like to come as soon as possible to Greece 'cause I really like it there and I also have some friends there.

Read the entire interview at www.metal-temple.com.