Mortals, it has been a hectic week since my previous post. I find myself sitting in Oslo writing this week’s installment. I’ve just come from Øya Festival, where I saw an unholy thrash attack from Aura Noir in the blazing sunshine this afternoon.

Øya Festival is in its tenth year now and has been showcasing many homegrown acts – metal and otherwise – plus artists established (and not so established) internationally. It’s situated on a medieval site a 10 minute walk from Sentralstasjon, and comes complete with a small lake, an alarmingly positive and friendly environment, and more hot girls than even I could have imagined (my online editor reckons I should, “leave the country having made an army of bastards in their bellies”. Powerful stuff, huh?). Idyllic, I am sure you’ll agree.

This year’s lineup includes Nordic metal legends Satyricon, Enslaved (who play tonight), and Aur Noir. Plus a pretty mixed bag of other artists including Lily Allen, Arctic Monkeys, Florence and the Machine, and someone called Municipal Waste (who, at the end of their set, burned a paper church onstage and proclaimed themselves to be the “evilest band in Norway” or something equally retarded – much to the ridicule of almost EVERYONE I’ve spoken to).

I have to admit, though, that I was mainly psyched to see Aura Noir open at the Vika Stage this afternoon and they did not disappoint. Their show featured a newish drummer, with Immortal’s drum tech filling in for Aggressor (who was there), Blasphemer on guitars and Appollyon playing bass and pulling the most bastard, unholy faces known to man. They covered material from all three of their albums – much of it perfectly, as expected. I met them outside my hotel this morning where they had this to say:

I’ve gone for this track from their classic first release, 1996’s Black Thrash Attack. If somehow you haven’t already got this, I strongly suggest you stop whatever it is you’re doing right now, pick it up and burn a paper church in your bedroom (only joking).

Loads more still to come from Øya, including interviews with Sindre of Nekromantheon (whose show last night with Deathhammer, Whiplash and Agent Steel was IMMENSE. In fact, all four bands were amazing), Kvelertak and hopefully Nattefrost. I’m off back to the festival now to eat some more salmon and take in Kvelertak. Oh, and Madness play tonight too!

Listen: Aura Noir, “Destructor”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

†ROCKWELL†