Report: “Hole in the Sky Festival 2007” - Return of the Kings

Photos: Grizlas. For more photos look here >>

The festival took place on August 22 -25 in Norway, Bergen.

Bergen is known as the cradle of Norwegian culture and music. Either you like Grieg or GORGOROTH, you can find both of them here. But let’s leave the great composer behind focusing on metal music events in this city. Namely “Hole in the Sky” festival, which was held for the eighth time, this year under the flag “Blood Fire Death”.

The festival started even as early as Tuesday, though the main concerts are on Friday and Saturday. Good work from the organizers provided many surprises like in previous festivals. This time one of them was MELECHESH opening Friday night concert. A rare opportunity to see this band playing live. One should never miss that. I even said no to beer that afternoon to see them with clear eyes. A good dose of eastern melodies and black metal mixed in a dark ritual. It brings you back to the times of Sumerian civilization. Great start for the night! Later on ANAAL NATHRAKH entered the stage. Those English “hooligans” are full of hate towards everything though deserving big respect for their creativity. BELPHEGOR starts their devilish work with accompanying church bells. The crowd seemed to remain quite calm until “Lucifer Incestus” started for a moshpit. However, the real energy explosion was made by ENTOMBED. It confirmed that this band never gets tired or old, always giving full pack for their fans.

There was a longer break before MAYHEM started to play. In a few minutes, it got so crowded that one could hardly breathe. I couldn’t see any pig heads on the stage. Anyway, there was an even bigger surprise to happen that night. As a white shape appeared from the cloud of smoke, first that stroke my mind was “what a hell is a snowman doing on the stage”! But after a while I could recognize that it was Attila all in bandages as Lazarus raised from the grave. He sat at the table drinking coffee and reading newspaper. Everything seemed as a slow motion movie, like a crazy chaos. Still, MAYHEM hit the point by breaking frames and provoking people in such a form. It reminded an art performance evoking luscious atmosphere making you sick and depressed. Especially, when you are listening to the “Freezing Moon” surrounded by cold blue light. Finally, Atilla got some chairs on the table and got on top of it looking as some crazy Frankenstein howling at the dark of the night. Something to remember for a longer time.

TESTAMENT was the last band to perform that night. Large smile on Chuck’s face seemed never to disappear, spreading joy among the fans. It was somehow nostalgic to hear such old songs as “Into the Pit” or “Souls of Black”. While playing “Over the Wall”, Chuck asked the crowd why it did not join them on the stage. The security were helpless in this situation watching lots of fans on the stage. Such a happy ending for the Friday’s night one couldn’t ever think about.

Saturday afternoon provided a nice occasion to meet the cave-dwellers in a real cave. I’m talking about GOAT THE HEAD album presentation at “Hulen”. Just a perfect place for such an event. Surprisingly nice presentation-video of the band. A good dose of brutality and humor not to mention gratis beer and snacks.

The evening concert opened with NIFELHEIM. It seems like they came back right from the eighties. Spikes, leather and…bandanas :). Though, this doesn’t stop them from proving of being “true and evil”. Those followers of VENOM are amazing at creating good songs by using just a few words such as Satan, storm, fire and evil. A good bite for the old school fans.

Who could ever dream of seeing the English legend SABBAT in a concert again? Well, such miracles sometimes happen in Bergen. Martin Walkyier in his clothes reminded much of highlander that evening. Fiery speeches, hails to Odin and old heathen spirit. However he accused Norwegian vikings of raping English women centuries ago. SABBAT after a log break felt not so vigorous as before and Walkyier was asking the crowd for the energy after every song. In spite of this, they presented a range of their famous songs, such as “A Cautionary Tail”, “Behind the Crooked Cross”, “The Church Bizzare” and others.

KREATOR threw a spark into the gas tank with “Violent Revolution” and “Pleasure to Kill”. It seemed like the crowd got mad and one should’ve been careful if suddenly two meter tall guys began to go out of control nearby. Video projections and variable illumination made KREATOR sound even more intense. You cannot stay apathetic when this band is on stage.

Well, well, after a longer break the “kings of Blashyrkh” returned to their hometown. That’s why IMMORTAL concert was named “the homecoming” that evening. A very bombastic intro before the kings entered the stage was a bit bizarre, one could say it would fit to DIMMU BORGIR more. It smells a bit commercial, though. Anyway, IMMORTAL proved being a legendary black metal band starting their battle with “One by One”. Abbath was amazing in taking control over the crowd compelling it to make waves as all those people would be football fans. Stunning fire breathing show and astonishment in the faces of fans. Until the next time!