Mayhem was formed in 1984 and is the longest living Norwegian black metal band. They have had their problems during the years but are considered to be the pioneers of Norwegian black metal. In February this year they were the closing act of the Norwegian showcase festival by:Larm.
Shortly after founding member of Celtic Frost, Thomas Gabriel Fischer had left Celtic Frost in 2008, he announced his new project, Triptykon. The band has released a full length CD and an EP since then, and Thursday night they played the Inferno Festival.
Except for Mayhem, Arcturus is one of the longest living Norwegian metal bands. The started in 1987, and split up in 2007, then reunited in 2011. There were great expectations to their closing gig at the Inferno Festiival Saturday night, and they met these with flying colors.
Sweden has many great metal bands like Opeth, Meshuggah, In Flames, Entombed, Bathory and the Haunted. Witchery is an interesting Swedish band, mixing elements from several styles in their music.
Tsjuder is one of the oldest Norwegian black metal bands, being formed in 1993. They have been off and on for the last 19 years, with different members, but reformed a couple of years ago. Friday night they played at Rockefeller Music Hall during the Inferno festival.
Norway has many black metal bands, and 1349 is one of the best and also well known. When Aborted had to cancel their gig at the Inferno festival, 1349 stepped in. They did a great job at the Rockefeller Music Hall Thursday nught. Here are some pictures from the concert.
The club night at this year’s Inferno Festival had many interesting and exciting bands. I stayed at John Dee, where Nekromantheon and Dunderbeist played.
Here are some pictures of Dunderbeist, the 7 headed “thieves band” from Hedmark, Norway.
Motopony
SXSW 2012 is over, and how to summarize an event like this? Around 2000 official showcases, about 1000 unofficial bands, numerous parties, a 6th Street where you almost couldn’t get through because of all the people, many people not getting in at gigs, Bruce Springsteen 50 Cent, Norah Jones, Jimmy Cliff, Alabama Shakes.
One of my very best Austin traditions, is Leeann Atherton’s Barndance on the Sunday after the last SXSW day. It has been my tradition since 1997, and through Leeann, I have met many interesting and very friendly people from South Austin. I have had some great BBQ, too!
10 years ago I attended an exclusive showcase indoors at Stubb’s with Norah Jones, where she played songs from her new CD, Come Away With Me. That tile there was no problem getting in at the small venue. This year she presented her new CD, Little Broken Hearts at La Zona Rosa, and half of the people waiting in line didn’t get in.
Artist Pictures Blog 