While the first day of Inferno 2018 was packed quite early in the evening, Friday started out with a smaller crowd. But that changed when the big headliner, Emperor came on stage. I can’t remember Rockefeller as packed as this before. Those of us who were there the whole time got many good bands before Emperor, too. (Photo above: Ihsahn from Emperor)
For fifteen years, from 2000 to 2015 Kaizers Orchestra built themselves up to Norway’s most interesting and consistent live band. An important part of their success was singer and songwriter Janove Ottesen. After the band quit he started a solo career, and has already released two albums. These days he is on tour in Norway to support his newest release, Hengtmann. Last night he played at Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo.
From 1999 to 2005 Gåte combined Norwegian folk music with hard rock, and they had great success with their music, playing big festivals in the Nordic countries. The band disbanded in 2005, but have had a few one-off concerts since, until they decided to start up again last year. These days they are on a tour through Norwegian cities, and yesterday they played at the Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo. (Photo above: Sveinung and Gunnhild Sundli)
Norway has been blessed with some really good musicians and bands during the years. The jazz musicians Jan Garbarek, Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen lead on in the 70’s, and several others have come after. One of my favorite musicians and artists is Knut Reiersrud, who has kept on with his music since the 70’s, establishing himself as one of the most fascinating and interesting contemporary artists, both in Norway and also abroad.
Alison Moyet is one of the few pop/synth artists from the 80’s that I truly liked. Her voice was unique and made her stand out from all the other of her contemporaries. Besides having a big and beautiful voice she was also an accomplished songwriter and All Cried Out was a long time favorite of mine. Nowadays she is on tour with her newest album The Other, and yesterday night she played at Rockefeller in Oslo.
Last night was trash metal night at the Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo. Two of the veterans from that style, Kreator from Germany and Sepultura from Brazil played, together with with Swedish heavy band Soilwork and Belgian death metal band Aborted. (Photo above: Kreator)
I have seen many great guitarists in my time, but few of the calibre of Steve Vai. What he can make a guitar do for him is amazing. He has also understood that a live performance is part music, part visual, and he gives the crowd value for their money. Sunday night Steve Vai played a packed Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo.
Fifty years after the start, Roky Erickson is on tour with his band The Hounds of Baskerville playing the songs of his famous band The 13th Floor Elevators. His career since the 60s has gone up and down, with more downs than ups, but since around 2005 he has had a slow and steady upwards movement. The concert at Rockefeller last night showed that Roky Erickson is still capable of playing good concerts.
Baroness is a band that I like a lot, both their albums and live. Their music is melodic metal – heavy, alternative, progressive – you decide for yourself. Personally I like their energy coupled with some really good melodies, as can be heard on their newest album, Purple. On Wednesday March 30 they played at Rockefeller in Oslo.
Minor Majority is a Norwegian band that started out as a duo in 2000, expanded to a trio, and became a full band when they were invited to play at the Quart festival in 2003. They soon became audience favorites at their concerts, and the albums sold very well. Their last studio album so far came in 2009, and in 2006 they released their so far most popular album, Reasons To Hang Around. On Saturday they celebrated it’s 10 year anniversary by playing the whole album plus some more for a sold out Rockefeller in Oslo. (Picture above: Pål Angelskår)
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