Posted in Whathaveyou on April 28th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
One fondly recalls seeing avant garde Japanese black metallers Sigh at the Roadburn 2013 Afterburner (review here), their showing up a decade later at the Høstsabbat 10th anniversary edition makes a kind of sense in light of the Oslo-based festival’s ongoing sonic progression outside genre confines of doom, sludge, etc. I’ll admit to not keeping up with their studio work — they had a record out last year called Shiki and have a 2023 live release to follow it up, so still very much active — but they were an impressive and atmospheric live act and I well look forward to seeing them at the church, which will be a fitting backdrop for their outsider weirdo worship.
The Høstsabbat lineup continues to grow more eclectic each week, and in addition to the extended geographic reach in having Sigh be the first band from Japan to play the fest, they’re an even better pick for that honor owing to their deeply individualized sound. Makes sense on its own level entirely.
Here we go:
HØSTSABBAT 2023 – SIGH (JPN)
For the first time in Høstsabbat history we are able to welcome a Japanese band to our Church of Riffs. And Oh My, what a band it is.
Formed back in 1989, SIGH found themselves leaning towards our northern black metal scene, and their first album was released on Norwegian kvlt label Deathlike Silence Records. From then and onwards the band has shifted into more experimental territory, adding patterns, twists and atmosphere to an already manic output.
SIGH knows their heavy, mark our words, and will act as the perfect counterpart to the more doomy and droney side of the lineup, with their combination of progressive metal and Japanese instrumentation.
We are beyond psyched to announce the return of SIGH to Norway.
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 21st, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Yeah, okay, so I didn’t get to post last Friday’s Høstsabbat announcement. I don’t really have an excuse, I just didn’t see it until after I’d closed the week — which I definitely did early, because fuck it — and then it was Monday, Tuesday with the Quarterly Review still and then it was Wednesday and on Wednesday you might as well wait till Friday since you know another announcement’s coming anyway. If that seems like a long and arduous choice, the reality happened much faster. It was like 20 seconds on Friday of thinking about it and here we are.
That’s no slight against industrialized LLNN offshoot John Cxnnor — who have played Roadburn in between last week’s Høstsabbat announcement and the top portion of what’s below, which is from today — whose set I have zero doubt will blow my mind. Reminder too that LLNN will also be playing, so hey, while you’re in Oslo, might as well unleash another round of devastation.
And for a fun bit of other-side-of-the-spectrum-ness, today’s add is Villagers of Ioannina City, whose contemplative, Mediterranean folk-informed heavy rock I was fortunate enough to catch last year at Freak Valley Festival (review here). They might be the most ritualized rock act to take the Høstsabbat stage since Sunnata in 2019, but they’re less likely to wear robes and actually have a kind of poppish charisma and are more forward musically. But they’re cool either way, so bonus.
Høstsabbat posted the following:
VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY
The sun shines beautifully on this very Friday, and so does our next announcement.
In massive contrast to the industrial, hard-hitting heaviness of last week’s announcement, Danish duo John Cxnnor, who by the way crushed the main stage at Roadburn yesterday, today’s addition brings a different kind of depth and light to our anniversary lineup.
Villagers of Ioannina City has swept over the underground like a mild, mediterranean breeze.
The brilliant use of bagpipes, kaval and clarinets highlights their bombastic, yet meditative sound in a warm and folky manner, pawing way for heavy, psychedelic fuzz outbursts coming straight from the Greek mountains.
Their explosive live appearances at numerous festivals over the last years have had them on everyone’s lips, and it’s with massive pride we can announce their first ever visit to Norway.
Please welcome Villagers of Ioannina City to Høstsabbat 2023!
JOHN CXNNOR (DK)
Oh yes, for the first time in Høstsabbat history, we are welcoming a band strictly based on electronics. Please do not fear. Heaviness is what we´re all about, heaviness always wins, and todays announcement is no exception. The band of the day is an act we have been buzzing to announce, as they will showcase a brand new kind of heavy for all of you Sabbathians.
The praise in the wake of their appearances at Roskilde and Roadburn last year was just beyond, and breathtaking to witness, just as the shows themselves. All this leading to a return to the infamous Roadburn Festival next week, for another commissioned project. Go see them if you have the chance, you will not regret. Adding to their quality, JOHN CXNNOR is a loose cannon in the live environment. They always bring vocalists, but you never know who.
JOHN CXNNOR is made up of the Danish Sejersen brothers, also known for forming half of the brilliant sci-fi sludge pioneers in LLNN.
The level of detail and finesse in their industrial soundscaping is unreal in both their outfits, but in particular, those lower frequencies bursting out from the JOHN CXNNOR experience will cuttle your tummy to the extreme. JOHN CXNNOR will terminate the Crypt, mark our words.
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 7th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
All this week on a one-per-day basis, the Oslo-based Høstsabbat fest has been adding bands to its increasingly righteous lineup, filling out the poster space beneath headliners Bongripper and the likes of Yawning Man and Black Rainbows with a broad-ranging assortment of styles as they progress into not only having more acts play, but embrace a multifaceted vision of heavy that has room for the likes of Spaceslug as well as the inhumane extreme pummel of Denmark’s LLNN. The latter are a highlight of the latest batch of announcements, returning to Høstsabbat this October after leveling the place in 2019. It was — and I mean this — breathtaking to witness.
The care and curation put into this bill should be obvious to anyone who even samples the Spotify playlist at the bottom of this post, never mind actually searches out releases from the band in question, and though I’m still hobbling somewhat after last October’s edition and the subsequent knee surgery it required, I very much hope to be back in Oslo this Fall to see Høstsabbat 2023 in-person.
Here’s what they posted throughout the week, starting with Spurv today and working back to FFHH on Monday:
Høstsabbat 2023 – SPURV
It’s Friday, and time for the last treat from our large easter egg-drop. Today’s egg contains no chick, but an incredibly beautiful sparrow.
Spurv are the top providers of Norwegian atmospheric post-rock, releasing their third album this fall. It sounds absolutely breathtaking, full of enchanting, calming soundscapes, as well as nerve and intensity.
The sparrow might be small and quick, but the sound of this band is huge and floating.
Weaving instruments together into a carpet of sound that embraces you, and keeps you safe, but simultaneously sends shivers down your spine. Taking you through all the strongest emotions in life, from joy and love, to sorrow, longing and grief.
We can’t wait to let the sparrow take us onto its wings again. Just close your eyes, and try not to cry. Or on second thought – let the river loose, crying is healthy.
Please welcome Spurv to Høstsabbat 2023!
1234!
1234! The holidays are finally here!
Todays announcement are not just keeping their band name simple. Everything about this band is cut to the bone. They are are a two-piece playing rock and roll in its absolute purest form. Bass and drums, four hands in total sync, channeling a very raw feel to their output.
Their debut album from last year, appropriately named «Power and Speed» draws comparison to a wide range of artists, spanning from QOTSA to Motörhead, but still maintaining to keep an honest and catchy sassiness to their well-executed, action-filled sound.
We love a good two-piece at Høstsabbat, and we cant wait to present the in-your-face type of execution from 1234!
They will leave you all in awe.
Please welcome 1234! to Høstsabbat 2023!
LLNN
Holy shitballs, the furious Danes are coming back!
If you were one of the lucky ones attending LLNN back in 2019, I bet you are a bit excited too, right? I dont think we have ever witnessed a gig as demolishing as when LLNN baptized The Crypt in floods of anger and despair. The push these guys are capable of is nothing less than insane. They hit the drums, keys and strings in such a tight manner, you WILL physically feel the riffs, as they are pawing their way through your stomach, further up your spine, until they crush your brain and your head spins. It’s that heavy. It’s that good. LLNN is nuts live.
Not too bad on record either, their recent masterpiece «UNMAKER» from 2021 truly set the bar for LLNN, as they have been featured on every significant festival there is in its wake.
Well done, and well deserved guys! Now back to church:
As it is our anniversary, LLNN was one of those pinnacle bands we felt we had to invite back, and as they never rely on previous achievements, we are positive their return will be triumphant.
We are happy the love between LLNN and Høstsabbat is mutual.
Please welcome LLNN to Høstsabbat 2023!
BONG VOYAGE
New bands appear for so many different reasons. Some because of ambition, some because of pure cynicism, some because of friendship. Some bands, like todays announcement, seems to grow out of something that is already flourishing without restraint.
BONG VOYAGE feels like a testament of the unbelievably vital Oslo-scene, documenting this period of time in the name of rock and roll, as the scandi-rockers and black metallers did before them.
BONG VOYAGE, to us, is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of a new generation of killer bands, finding fellow axe and swordsmen within the walls of the same couple of bars, stretching for the same kind of goals and feels, while sharing a solid passion for catchy riffs, hooks and grooves. And most importantly: BONG VOYAGE never lets the slightly humorous approach go at the expense of their sheer quality. This bunch of stoner rockers is living proof of what a vivid underground scene can, and will do to your city. Høstsabbat is proud of being a part of it.
Bong Iver, Bong Jovi, Elton Bong and Bong Juan will launch Verkstedet to space!
Yes – BONG VOYAGE!
FORCEFED HORSEHEAD
Are we dropping a band on a Monday?
Indeed we are, and we’ll be bringing you the Høstsabbat joy throughout this festive week.
Today´s announcement has literally been grinding around the filthy basements of the Oslo underground for more than a decade. Picking up bits and pieces from more or less every sub-genre of the extreme, Forcefed Horsehead is utilizing their experience to perfection. Their creative stew of punishing, frightening and spellbinding riff-mania crafts a unique blend of metal, previously unheard on our home turf. It never gets boring. It´s unforgiving.
FFHH just unveiled a masterpiece of an album, «Monoceros» is monumental and monstrous in every way. From the intense start of “Every Death You Take”, the album shows a confident band sliding from tar-dripping heaviness to furious d-beats with the greatest of ease. The complexity and intensity are being delivered in an almost laid back manner. Pure madness in its absolute best form.
It’s with a tipsy mix of horror and delight we await the rampage of this beautiful beast!
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 31st, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Those keeping track of such things might note that Shaman Elephant are the band with whom Enslaved collaborated for ‘The Otherworldly Big Band Experience,’ which in every respect lived up to its billing. The band released their latest LP, Wide Awake but Still Asleep, in 2020 and bring proggy presence to the bill of Høstsabbat 2023. I’m not certain what stage they’re playing on, or if they’ve got a new record coming or what, but as the weekly confirmations from the Oslo-based festival continue to roll out in advance of the 10th anniversary edition, sonic breadth seems to be the order of the day, and that’s that much better since this may just be the most ambitious Høstsabbat yet, not only in terms of the styles of the acts playing, but also the further realization of the established ethic of showcasing artists from Norway’s equal parts vibrant and varied underground. Shaman Elephant, in contributing to that and becoming part of the shape of the festival overall, are for sure something to look forward to.
From the fest:
HØSTSABBAT 2023 – Shaman Elephant (NO)
The band of the day on this beautiful Friday is a collective hailing from western Norway. Not the easiest band to describe, but very easy to love.
Our west coast has had a thriving prog and psychedelic rock scene for ages, giving and SHAMAN ELEPHANT is carrying that torch with a sound lusher than the fjords themselves. It´s so captivating and enchanting. Bands like this also come with some sort of relief: Rock is far from dead.
SHAMAN ELEPHANT is as organic as it gets, keeping us focused and alert with a clever progressiveness at all times. Their sound is firmly rooted in the 60´s & 70´s era of their niche, but they are also able to add some kind of modern touch to everything, making them a band for the future rather than the past.
We cant wait to dive into their universe in October.
Please welcome Shaman Elephant to Høstsabbat 2023.
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 24th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Well that’s lovely. A heartfelt thank you to the crew of Høstsabbat for adding Yawning Man to an already-righteous 2023 lineup and providing this morning with a much-needed boost of, I don’t know, will to live? The desert mainstays also announced the announcement of their next album this morning, and to know they’ll be on tour in Europe this Fall supporting it is all the better. I’m sure there will be tour dates forthcoming, more fests, etc., but to think the Gary Arce-led desert rock progenitors and I will be in the same place at the same time is more than welcome amid what remains of my melting brains and while they’re more known for playing open landscapes than churches, I have the distinct feeling that their particular brand of worship will have no problem translating.
Find your solace. Find your people. Find your music. Lose yourself in all of it.
From the fest:
HØSTSABBAT 2023 – Yawning Man (US)
Today´s announcement are legends in every matter.
Being a band since back in 1986 Yawning Man find themselves as one of the pivotal founders behind the mythical and world known Desert Rock scene.
This beautiful cultural movement arising from the countless generator parties held in the Californian deserts, with jams as long as the days, and a crew of people all set to become forefathers of the entire scene we all love today.
We are humbled to be able to welcome such a band to our anniversary.
The star lit melodies of Yawning Man , combined with their uber laid back grooves and licks, are painting pictures of sunsets, palm trees, and endless horizons all day long.
We cant wait to bring the desert heat to Oslo!(#127797#)(#127774#)
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 17th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
It’s Friday, so Oslo-based Høstsabbat Festival has the latest addition to its lineup for this October, and it’s UK roots heavy rockers The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, who’ll bring their unflinchingly classic style to the proceedings on the altar stage at the Kulturkirken Jakob. The fest has been building up over the course of the last I-can’t-remember-how-many-and-I’m-too-lazy-to-look-it-up-oh-wait-I-just-did-it’s-eight weeks and in bringing on board The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, they nod toward the heavy ’70s in a different way than, say, the folkish medieval prog of The Chronicles of Father Robin, who were confirmed in February, and offer a kind of heavy that was yet-unaccounted for in the 2023 lineup. In short: cool beans. Nice pick. All that stuff.
Have to wonder if The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell have a new record coming. Their last outing was 2019’s presciently-titled Very Uncertain Times (review here) and as ever there was a lot to dig. No one really needs an excuse to tour at this point, but with Rise Above Records back in action putting out records from LBlood Ceremony and Smokey Mirror, it’s a possibility worth acknowledging that these guys will join the party concurrent to what might be a tour this Fall. Wouldn’t be the worst, but I’ll emphasize that so far, I know nothing more than they’re playing Høstsabbat, and I only know that because the fest just posted it. So there.
So here:
HØSTSABBAT 2023 – THE ADMIRAL SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVELL (UK)
Today’s announcement is a true joy to unveil.
It’s hard to think of a better way to kickstart a weekend, than with the thought of The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, bringing their UK-grease to our church of riffs.
This is a pure rock and roll train on a Bong Voyage to Oslo.
We’re not sure what we’re in for, but we know it’s gonna be good.
As the years pass, you get to see so many bands in so many different settings, it’s hard to reminisce at times. You see heaviness redefined, sub-genres trending, aesthetics booming. Evolution of the underground so to speak. As a counterweight to a scene in motion you need pillars, anchors, those steady benchmark outfits. Bands that are here do one single thing:
Rock. The. Fuck. Out.
The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell is defining that bunch of bands. They look, sound and live by the rules of classic UK-heritage, carrying the torch of Budgie as well as Sabbath, shoving the rest of us how it’s done.
This will be one hell of a party, Please welcome The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 10th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
I’ve had the new JAGGU album, Rites for the Damned, set to include in the next Quarterly Review since the last one ended. It’ll be the second, maybe third week of April before I get there, but that’s still plenty in advance of their appearance on the Norwegian stage at this year’s Høstsabbat, for which they’re confirmed as of today. They join the hardcore/noise-tinged Akersborg in that regard, as the festival presents the diversity of Oslo’s underground as analogue for its own growth in each and variety. You will not find me arguing.
And I feel like I say that every time, as these weekly updates continue. I’m still not sure we’ve gotten the full answer of the shape Høstsabbat will ultimately take, but I don’t think we’re halfway through the lineup yet, so I’m not sure we should have, either. There’s time. I continue to look forward to what’s next, and having no clue in that regard is part of the fun, at least so far.
See you next Friday:
HØSTSABBAT 2023 – JAGGU
Friday!
Crisp, cool and bright – Showing Oslo from its very best side.
Days like this makes us count the days – and in just about seven months we will open the doors to church once again.
But back to now:
The poster of today is living proof of the tightly knit community existing in our beloved city. The man behind this year´s visual profile, our good friend HYPNOTIST DESIGN] is also the man behind the camera, capturing the bearded excellence of today’s announcement: JAGGU!
The men of JAGGU has certainly proven their existence over the years. The steady course from back- to foreground of the flourishing Oslo-scene has been fueled with heavier riffs for every occasion. A solid confidence gained by hard work, creativity and a love for heavy, sludgy music. It´s rewarding to see bands grow like this, and the best part is that they never stop.
Just weeks ago JAGGU dropped their new, astonishing full length «Rites for the Damned» An album that will bring the sonic palette of JAGGU to ears way outside of Oslo. This album totally rips!
JAGGU shows a fearless approach with their mentioned creativity, both riffs and vocals are refreshingly commanding. Some might draw comparison to the glory days of a certain Georgia quintet even.
We cant wait to be completely pummeled by this inter-continental three piece!
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 3rd, 2023 by JJ Koczan
So, I don’t know this band at all and I’m not going to pretend otherwise. Høstsabbat, in celebrating its 10th anniversary this October in Oslo, has brought on Akersborg as the first announcement for its stage focused solely on Norwegian artists and bands, and while I like to think myself familiar with at least some of the country’s heavy oeuvre, I know about as much about hardcore as I do about TV/VCR repair and the rest of the stuff that the Polytechnic Institute advertised degrees in in the ’90s. There are a great many things I don’t know, not just this band, I guess is what I’m saying.
Fortunately I have a few months in which to be introduced, since October remains a ways away, and I’m sure Akersborg won’t be the only homework I’ll have to do before I board the flight to the fest. Nonetheless, as I’ve said before, the Høstsabbat crew more than has my trust — not that they need it, because they don’t — when it comes to picking interesting and on-stage-killer acts, so here’s me, taking the lineup adds as they come. I’m just happy I’ve managed to keep up this far. We’ll see about next Friday when we get there.
From social media:
HØSTSABBAT 2023 – (#128293#)AKERSBORG(#128293#)
The confirmed bunch of artists so far, has left our Norwegian stage more or less unnoticed. That is about to change starting now.
Verkstedet has grown into a sinful pit of pure live mayhem over the years, and we absolutely adore it. Maybe its the crossing of that street that does something to our mindset. Like it provides an energized urge to lose oneself completely in the sounds of whatever fresh Norwegian talent is playing.
The sound at Verkstedet is sick, and just as encompassing and punishing as in the church, just the other way around – if that makes any sense? You can honestly feel and breathe the riffs, sweat and energy coming from the bands. It’s like a sauna, steam-filled with the essence of Høstsabbat.
Nothing beats a killer floor show.
And speaking of that:
It’s hard to think of a more fitting first announcement to this very stage than the futuristic avant-gard-ish, hardcore bliss of AKERSBORG.
Its so refreshing with the out-of-the-box-thinking twists and turns that is lurking around every corner. At times frenetic, furious and devastating. A fistful of anger knocking you straight down. The next moment AKERSBORG is acting like its own evil twin: joyful, catchy but also jazzy, with hooks coming at you like Don Johnson in Miami Vice.
There is some kind of twisted 80´s flavor mixed into the spaced out brilliance of AKERSBORG.
Please welcome Akersborg to Høstsabbat 2023 – 10th Anniversary!
