WITNESSED: OSLO – NORWAY [03.02.2023]

PLACE TO BE: Blå

BANDS: STRID, GEHENNA, SLAGMAUR

A rising star. That´s how I see the future for Imperium. As you may know, this blog carries the torch of what once was the live documentation at the now extinct Friedhof Magazine (2002-2022), where we rightfully reported the birth of Imperium and what later came. For the newcomers an introduction of Imperium is in order.

After the giant Tons Of Rock moved to Oslo in the need of bigger fields, the empty space left in the border town of Halden was promptly taken over by a new concept: Imperium Festival. Exploiting the attractiveness of golding the festival at the 17^th century built Fredriksten Fortress, currently a growing trend in the European festival circuit after the massive success of the Czech Brutal Assault. Lining up an excellent mix of Norwegian black metal acts that stayed true to their sound and adding a few international bands on tour, they managed to build an excellent good taste line ups worth of travelling. If the local kommune is smart enough, they should rapidly understand the potential of Imperium and their future ability to attract travelers, investing on the most likely successful future which will equal to a successful money influx for Halden.

Holding the first edition on 2019 and a second one after the pandemic break, Imperium is also opening new fronts like this new event called IMPERIUM URBAN SIEGE, held at Blå in Oslo. An excellent line up of two bands known for their activity in the 90´s and considered by many as cult plus a more recent band with a very unique approach.

The night at Blå kicked off with Strid, a rather obscure Norwegian band from the golden era years. First known as Malfeitor, producing two demo tapes under this moniker before renaming the band and producing another two demos. Currently a compilation LP is available at a pricey cost, released in 2007 by the Greek label Kyrck Productions & Armour. For those unfamiliar with Strid´s short lived body of work, it’s a mid-tempo black metal with strong melancholic vibes, highly immersive and sorrowfully melodical. That’s exactly what they delivered to the audience present at Blå, powered by a top soundwork Strid did a concert worth of making the presents gifted to be part of such a rare occasion.

Second band on the bill for the Urban Siege night was Gehenna, hardly a name that needs an introduction. Being First Spell an iconic work from the black metal scene with a cover that’s instantly recognized. Lucky for us, even if the latest studio reference of the band dates back to 2013 (Unravel, Indie Recordings); seems like slowly the band keeps slowly reappearing for very few selected shows.

Gehenna´s fierce black metal was perfect to lift up the crowd after the previous introspective soundscape. A very wild headbanging experience with absolute bangers from their latest era, including guest vocals by none other than Doedsadmiral (Nordjevel, Doedsvangr).

Lastly, we witnessed the return of the nightmare to Oslo. After the infamous burn of the witch during Inferno 2018, Slagmaur; the Fosen Maniacs are a league on their own. Blending an unique dreamy, or more accurately; nightmarish mid-tempo with a Lo-Fi sound approach. The masked and dressed up stage presence I would say is the icing on the cake, making the whole Slagmaur concept work like a clockwork.

It is undeniable that these four mastodons, built like huge industrial refrigerators fill the stage alone by themselves so make sure if you book them to drop an extra roasted goat on the menu to satisfy the murderous appetite of Slagmaur.

The show at Blå was the last evidence I needed from this band, after witnessing them on the main stages at Inferno and Steelfest, a club show proved Slagmaur´s raw power and mid paced black metal is a true haunting experience for the audience, making the band shine even more.

Now I just need to get my chores right and score Thill Smiths Terror and revive the nightmare world Slagmaur has created, and you, my friend, you should as well get to know one of the most imaginative Black Metal Norway has seen in the last decade.