Urgehal left the scene with a concert in memory of Trondr Nefas in Oslo on May 13 2016. This date was not accidental, since Trondr Nefas, born Trond Bråthen, was found dead in a cabin in a forest on May 13 2012. Urgehal have earlier this year released what seems to be their last album Aeons in Sodom, in collaboration with several guest singers (listen to it here). So, Urgehal celebrated the new album with this farewell concert in memory of Trondr Nefas. The support bands for this concert were not chosen at random: Endezzma and Beastcraft are bands in which he was involved; in addition to being the founder of Urgehal in 1992, he had other projects in which he was involved in several ways: Beastcraft, Endezzma, Kvist, In Lingua Mortua and Angst Skvadron. For this reason I could not miss this concert, so I made a seven-hour bus trip from Stockholm (the plane was too expensive!).
The concert is held at a place called Vulkan Arena in a nice area of Oslo not far from Blå, which is one of the venues of Inferno Festival. The stage is big enough and the scenography is simple but essential: a large writing “Death is complete” between two images of Trondr. The task of opening the concert is given to Endezzma from Hønefoss, with their energy and melodic approach at the same time. Frontman Morten Shax is like a possessed on stage; his stage presence and the engaging riffs grip the audience. Something fun during their show is when Shax Morten and guitarist Nihil spit blood in each other’s face, after drinking it from a cup (not sure if fake or true).
The concert is held at a place called Vulkan Arena in a nice area of Oslo not far from Blå, which is one of the venues of Inferno Festival. The stage is big enough and the scenography is simple but essential: a large writing “Death is complete” between two images of Trondr. The task of opening the concert is given to Endezzma from Hønefoss, with their energy and melodic approach at the same time. Frontman Morten Shax is like a possessed on stage; his stage presence and the engaging riffs grip the audience. Something fun during their show is when Shax Morten and guitarist Nihil spit blood in each other’s face, after drinking it from a cup (not sure if fake or true).
The next band is Beastcraft: the atmosphere during their performance is quite different, fraught with obscurity and eeriness, but equally engaging. Their lineup includes Urgehal guitarist Enzifer and Endezzma guitarist Nihil. Excellent performance.
After Beastcraft, Vulkan Arena is vibrating with the anxious waiting for the next and main act of the evening. Nihil also joines Urgehal, and the first frontman is Hoest with his immense charisma. The second frontman is Morten Shax who has the honour of singing “Goatcraft Torment”, my favoruite Urgehal song, and so to me the highlight of the evening: Morten Shax screams it with fury and passion. After Morten Shax the other guest singers are Sorath Northgrove of Beastcraft, Kvarforth of Shining, Nattefrost of Carpathian Forest and Nag of Tsjuder who ends playing bass. When Kvarforth is on stage, Hoest, Morten Shax and Sorath come out near the pit where I am standing and enjoy the concert; Hoest also shoots videos with his mobile phone. Morten Shax comes back onto the stage to close the show with the last song.
After Beastcraft, Vulkan Arena is vibrating with the anxious waiting for the next and main act of the evening. Nihil also joines Urgehal, and the first frontman is Hoest with his immense charisma. The second frontman is Morten Shax who has the honour of singing “Goatcraft Torment”, my favoruite Urgehal song, and so to me the highlight of the evening: Morten Shax screams it with fury and passion. After Morten Shax the other guest singers are Sorath Northgrove of Beastcraft, Kvarforth of Shining, Nattefrost of Carpathian Forest and Nag of Tsjuder who ends playing bass. When Kvarforth is on stage, Hoest, Morten Shax and Sorath come out near the pit where I am standing and enjoy the concert; Hoest also shoots videos with his mobile phone. Morten Shax comes back onto the stage to close the show with the last song.
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Well it was a memorable evening; the concert in memory of Trondr Nefas was transformed into a joyful event of this wonderful genre that is black metal. Thanks to all the musicians who helped this come trve.
A little remark: among all the many concerts at which I have been, this is the first time I see a musician performing at the same concert with three different bands, and in addition all of three great bands!
Text and photos by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
A little remark: among all the many concerts at which I have been, this is the first time I see a musician performing at the same concert with three different bands, and in addition all of three great bands!
Text and photos by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com