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The great thing about the lineup was the stylistic diversity: Rikets Crust from Oslo plays Discharge/early Scandinavian-style hardcore, Byfrost from Bergen is a thrash metal group with a strong Immortal influence, Lobotomized from Oslo have a unique take on old-school grindcore with a completely bizarre live show.

Lobotomized

Valhall, also of Oslo, heavily worship doom masters Trouble, Saint Vitus and, of course, Black Sabbath and the night’s headliners, Bergen’s Dead to this World, are a full-on blackened thrash band from ex-Immortal bassist Iscariah (who handled vocals and guitar). Each band, as different as they were, delivered the goods and set the mood right for Hole in the Sky. However, I felt the strongest band of the bunch was definitely Valhall. The playing was rock-solid, and the sheer doom/stoner feeling had me headbanging from start to finish. Hail heavy doom rock!

Valhall

Dead to this World

By that time, I was done: Hours of drinking and jetlag aren’t exactly a good mix. It was off to bed and I knew the hostel’s close location was going to be a huge help.

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