The bill spans some of the heaviest bands in Scandinavia already, and then they decide to bring in the YOB/Pallbearer tour for a stop on the final day. All the more reason to tip the cap to Norway’s Høstsabbat, now in its second year. In 2013, the Oslo stage was graced by the likes of Tombstones and High Priest of Saturn, and in addition to the aforementioned American acts, Høstsabbat 2014 will be marked — that’s not to say awesomely scarred — by appearances from Suma, Saturnalia Temple, Ocean Chief, Kong and many more. It’s going to be a very, very heavy weekend in Norway come Sept. 12-14.

An announcement with the finalized lineup for the three-dayer, courtesy of the PR wire:

Høstsabbat 2014 Final Line Up

Høstsabbat is a newborn initiative, brought to life in 2013 by people involved in the underground scene in Norway.

It’s a DIY-festival, in collaboration with the student-organisation at Betong in Oslo, Norway, focusing on presenting the best underground bands Norway has to offer. This year the formula is pushed a step further, and includes aspiring talent from our brothers in the east as well as an international day on Sunday September 14th.

Over three days you can experience slow and crushing doom, heavy bluesrock, stoner, proto-heavy metal, psychedelic spacerock and prog. The concerts will be held on two different stages, located in the same venue. In addition to this, you’ll find stands, food, beverages and diverse stimulation for your ears and mind. Top Notch DJ’s, including Walter Roadburn himself will accompany your nights with the right soundtrack..

Høstsabbat takes place on Friday 12th through Sunday 14th of September 2014.

Cheap accommodation is located nearby the venue, and the damage for a three-day ticket is about 65 euros.

Lineup:

Friday:
Kongh (SE) – Valhall (N) – SUMA (SE) – Beglomeg (N) – Hombre Malo (N) – Seid (N) – Warp Riders (N)

Saturday:
Årabrot (N) – Saturnalia Temple (SE) – Monolord (SE) – Magister Templi (N) – Elmi (N) – Vidunder (SE) – Arabs in Aspic (N) – Heroinne (N)

Sunday (International Day):
YOB (US) – Pallbearer (US) – Ocean Chief (SE) – Gravmaskin (SE)

www.hostsabbat.no
www.facebook.com/hostsabbat

FB-event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/270304633094049/

Tombstones, “King of Daze” Live at Høstsabbat 2013

Kind of an interesting turn here as regards Swedish retro trio Vidunder, whose self-titled debut was released this week on Crusher Records, since the heavy classic rockers not only take influence from the usual heavy ’70s suspects — your earliest Pentagram, Sabbath, Blue Cheer and Budgie — but also from the league of European bands who’ve already come up under that influence. Most particularly in Vidunder‘s case, it’s Graveyard and Kadavar.

They’re not the first act to come along with a flair for the modern end of the retro aesthetic, but it’s fascinating to see that happening across the last year or so as more bands crop up in this vein. Invariably, this will lead to the continued evolution of the sound — I think last year’s Legend already proves Witchcraft were bored of ’70s vintage-isms — as the forebears of the style search out new modes of expression, while newcomers like Vidunder here help affirm the notion of classic heavy as a modern subgenre and not just a couple acts who have a thing for bellbottoms.

Whether or not that’s how it plays out, I guess we’ll have to wait and see, but I’ll take some catchy Graveyard-style rock in the interim, and Vidunder certainly have that going on. It’s going to be a sad day when disco comes to Örebro:

Vidunder, “Into Her Grave” from Vidunder (2013)

Vidunder on Thee Facebooks

Crusher Records