HEADLINER: ABBATH
SUPPORTS: BASTARDIZER + WEREWOLVES
VENUE: THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE
DATE: JANUARY 27TH 2026
REVIEWER: NATALIE LORENZ
PHOTOGRAPHER: NATALIE LORENZ PHOTOGRAPHY
Blackened thrash outfit Bastardizer opened the evening, immediately setting an excellent tone with their high speed riffs, aggression, and filthy sound. This was my second time seeing the band, and once again they delivered a tight, high energy set that kicked the night into gear without hesitation.
Next up were blackened death grind unit Werewolves, who ramped the intensity up several notches with their no bullshit approach to music. Their set was punishing and relentless. The room was clearly packed with fans, and the response was strong. Having seen them previously, it was clear they’ve only sharpened their sound and presence since.
Then, the evening truly began.
For anyone deeply invested in early ’90s second wave black metal, this was the place to be. Abbath performing Immortal material exclusively from 1992–2009? Yes please, take my money.
The set opened strongly with Withstand the Fall of Time, immediately transporting the crowd into Abbath’s frostbitten world. I was fortunate enough to be in the photo pit during Sons of Northern Darkness, where the energy of the crowd was impossible to ignore, and yes, I may have sung along. That epic, atmospheric icy riff does things to my brain.
The setlist was well curated, drawing from Immortal’s catalogue up to 2009, with the notable exclusion of Damned in Black. The room erupted during Tyrants, a clear crowd favourite. Throughout the set, the audience was fully immersed in Abbath’s grim vocals, battle blast percussion, and galloping riffs that would make even the timidest want to ride into war.
Abbath doesn’t seem to take black metal too seriously, and honestly, that’s part of what makes it work so well.
The band sounded tight and commanding throughout the set, with one minor personal grievance, the smoke machines were perhaps a little too enthusiastic at times. Still, this hardly detracted from an otherwise near perfect performance.
The night closed fittingly with The Sun No Longer Rises, bringing the Raven Realms ritual to its end.
As I was heading out, I had the opportunity to briefly thank a corpsepaint-less Olve Eikemo in person, a small moment that somehow made an already excellent evening just that little bit better.
— Natalie Lorenz Photography
