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Highway to HelveteHeaps of heaviosity and Satanic murder
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This year, I finally made it down to Oslo’s by:Larm festival, highlighting Norway’s best and brightest from all across the genre spectrum. The three days were packed with seminars, but industry networking was thankfully kept to a bare minimum. The emphasis was on the 500-plus shows that graced the stages of the 36 selected venues, most of which clung to the vine of main drag Karl Johans Gate, which really made jumping between Last Train, John Dee, Mono, Revolver, Elm Street and others accessible and easy. Be forewarned if you’re planning on checking out next year’s by:Larm: Oslo is regarded as the most expensive city in the world. The general rule of thumb is, you’ll pay twice as much for food and drinks—be prepared to pay a premium for even the lousiest street meat. Having said that, by:Larm’s amazing quality of bands, their eclectic programming, accommodating and friendly locals and state-of-the-art yet homey clubs are easily worth the grief of a $7 cup of filtered coffee. Day One highlightsArabrot: This three-piece was armed to the teeth with decibels, pummelling with a violent smash-and-bash that shook listeners to the marrow. For fans of: Haust: Their self-described “necro/sludge” perfectly bridged hardcore and post-hardcore. Pre-/post-hardcore? For fans of: Jesus Lizard, Arab on Radar and Reagan-era hardcore. Kvelertak: A big buzz magnet at the festival, this six-piece proudly placed their Chuck Taylors on the monitors as they sweated through a set that leaned heavily on the new wave of British heavy metal and solid ’70s classic-rock riffs, served up with punk attitude. For fans of: Turbonegro, Entombed, Nattefrost and latter-day Corrosion of Conformity Overheard scuttlebutt: In 1994, at the dawn of the Norwegian black metal scene, a rash of church burnings, grave desecrations and murders was instigated by a small group of Satanists and sociopaths known the Black Circle. At the hub of this scene was the record store Helvete (Norwegian for “hell”), owned by Mayhem’s guitarist Euronymous, who was eventually murdered by Burzum’s Count Grishnackh in a fight for black metal scene supremacy. Helvete is now the bakery Vart Daglige Brod, which ironically translates into “our daily bread,” but they have left the basement untouched and adorned with pentagrams and inverted crosses. Amazingly, this bakery has turned into a sightseeing hotspot, with the mild-mannered bakers routinely leading tourists downstairs into the dank, dark bowels of black metal legend. Murder and Satanism, coupled with a nice, light and flaky pastry—simply delicious! Day Two highlightsManhattan Skyline: After sitting through two dud pop bands that will remain nameless, the crushing brutality of Manhattan Skyline’s technical mathcore Overheard scuttlebutt: Norwegians are quick to roll their eyes if you ask about the early-’90s church burnings and black metal murders, Turbonegro and Norwegian pop princess Annie—so put a sock in it. Day Three highlightsBungalow Ranchstyle: Things really heated up on the last night of by:Larm with one of my favourites from the fest. The fuzzed-out bass and hypnotic, robotic onslaught from the former members of Cato Salsa Experience was just amazing. For fans of: Six Finger Satellite, Jesus Lizard and This Moment in Black History. Witchcraft: An absolutely incredible show from these Swedish sludge-masters. Easily the best show of the fest, with a set that lasted for an hour and a half, packed with heavy psych and proto-metal. For fans of: Black Sabbath, Sir Lord Baltimore, Cathedral and Pentagram. Overheard scuttlebutt: Ex-member of the Black Circle and member of black metal pioneers Darkthrone, Feniz can now be found working at Oslo’s main post office. So much for dispelling the rumour that all postal workers are psychopaths. |
Unsane, Melvins, Big Black or at least half of the Steve Albini-“produced” bands.
definitely delivered the goods. For fans of: Converge, Dillinger Escape Plan and Neurosis.