I’m a few days late with this… but better late than never 
ORKAN drummer Rune Nesse has joined the ranks of Norwegian Blackened Metallers BYFROST as a permanent replacement for the recently departed “Alkolust”. Originally intending not to find a full-time replacement, but rather to use session drummers both for live performances and in the studio, the band quickly changed its mind after rehearsing with Nesse. Commented front man HeavyHarms:
“The Bergen music community is very tightly knit, and we had known of Rune’s work for a long time. When our old drummer left we immediately started rehearsing with Rune and it was obvious that he not only understood BYFROST’s music, but that he also shared our vision for the band. So we did the logical thing and asked him to join as a full time member”.
A band known for its trademark menacing heavy riffs and headbang-inducing live performances, BYFROST’s sophomore album “Of Death”, which, like their debut album “Black Earth” was produced by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen, was released on Germany’s AFM Records in 2011, and led to several festival appearances and a European Tour. Work has already begun on the third album, and, according to the vocalist:
“Rune’s arrival has been like a shot of adrenaline. BYFROST is sounding tighter and heavier than ever before. The new album is already sounding fantastic, and we can assure our fans that it’s going to more than meet their expectations”
Below you can see fan-filmed footage of BYFROST performing “Horns to the Sky” live at Bloodstock in 2011:
Five tracks from BYFROST can be heard on the band’s SoundCloud Player below (or head over to soundcloud.com/byfrost):
myspace.com/byfrostmetal
facebook.com/BYFROST
soundcloud.com/byfrost
twitter.com/byfrostmetal
reverbnation.com/byfrost
In a statement issued by the band today, Norwegian Blackened Metallers BYFROST have announced that they have parted ways with “Alkolust”, their drummer since 2008.
Frontman Heavyharms commented:
“We have had a great time playing with Alkolust over the years and we wish him the best with his other projects. And to all our fans out there, this is not the end, but very much a new beginning. Horns to the Sky!”
Formed in Bergen, the heartland of Norwegian extreme metal, in 2007 by Heavy Harms and Ripmeister, BYFROST released their debut album “Black Earth” on Painkiller records in early 2010, and, on the strength of this release, were quickly picked up by Germany’s AFM records. The band’s second full-length album, “Of Death”, which was once again produced by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen, who also guested on the album, was released in June 2011 to much critical acclaim.
BYFROST, whose trademark dark, heavy riffs, with a menacing touch of iciness, make it almost impossible to listen to the band without wanting to bang your head, will use session drummers both for live performances and recording going forward, and do not anticipate any break in activity.
Below you can see fan-filmed footage of BYFROST performing “Horns to the Sky” live at Bloodstock in 2011.
Five tracks from BYFROST can be heard on the band’s SoundCloud Player below:
facebook.com/BYFROST
myspace.com/byfrostmetal
soundcloud.com/byfrost
twitter.com/byfrostmetal
reverbnation.com/byfrost
I go to a lot of gigs, but there are few that I have looked forward to as much as this one. Afterall, I’d been blown away by Byfrost at Bloodstock in August (check out an interview with the band here) and then I’d been blown away again when Taake released “Noregs Vaapen”. In fact, I’m blown away each and every time I listen to that album (which is why I gave it such a glowing review).
So, on the evening of the 19th October I made my way up to Camden Town whilst listening to “Noregs Vaapen” on my iPod. I can’t tell you how hard it was not to do a bizarre little dance on the tube when the banjo solo kicked in during “Myr”, but somehow I managed to get to The Underworld without making a complete tit of myself. After a swift pint of Blackthorn in the World’s End with my fellow gig buddies, I made my way down into the depths of The Underworld (where I looked longingly at the Merch stand, saddened by the fact that – once again – I’d found myself with too much month left at the end of my money). We managed to catch most of Donn The Philosophy’s set and I’m sure I would have enjoyed them more if I wasn’t so excited about Byfrost and Taake. However, with the line-up as it was, I have to admit that I didn’t really pay much attention to the opening act. I know this is completely rubbish of me, so I will endeavour to pay more attention to them next time they play in London.
When it was time for Blackened Thrashers Byfrost to take to the stage, we wormed our way to the front – secure in the knowledge that the band were going to put on a show to remember. Byfrost didn’t disappoint and even surpassed the set they played at Bloodstock. The crowd really seemed to get into their music and hair was flying around everywhere. Ok, much of it was probably mine, but my point remains the same – Byfrost got the crowd going. I tend to rely on a selection of coffees and energy drinks to get me through the day, but if Byfrost were to come into my house each morning and play a song or two, I would be AWAKE! Anyway… the band powered through a strong selection of songs (with the highlights being “Eye for an Eye” and the exceptional “Horns to the Sky”) and left me grinning like a Cheshire Cat on a sugar high. Absolutely tremendous!
By the time Taake were on, I’d lost the use of my neck (we can blame Byfrost for that!), so headbanging was not on the agenda this time around. This did, however, enable me to really take in Taake’s set. Songs that sounded amazing on record, suddenly sounded EVEN BETTER! I found myself losing track of time (and forgetting that I didn’t have a pint in my hand) and just becoming completely enthralled by Taake’s take on Black Metal (often fused with Rock ‘n’ Roll, folk and whatever else sounds good) and hypnotised by Hoest’s stage presence. I could quite happily relive Taake’s set over and over again. Please can someone book them for more UK shows and/or book them for Bloodstock 2012.
This was a superb evening. I want to do it again. Now.
taake.svartekunst.no
facebook.com/taakeofficial
myspace.com/taakeofficial
svartekunst.bigcartel.com
facebook.com/BYFROST
myspace.com/byfrostmetal
reverbnation.com/byfrost
reverbnation.com/donnthephilosophy
I’m so glad this has still been confirmed! I hope there are still tickets left tomorrow when I get paid!
Two generations of Bergen bands are set to tour Europe in October, bringing with them the blackened sounds and performances that makes Norway’s second largest city one of the foremost producers of extreme metal.
Headlining will be TAAKE, formed in 1993 by Hoest, one of the most dynamic front men in Black Metal. With a plethora of releases and a wealth of stage experience behind them TAAKE has become one of the leading Black Metal bands playing today. Supporting will be BYFROST who already have two full length albums to their credit, and whose aggressive black ‘n roll, combined with elements of thrash, have earned them a large fan base following recent appearances at some of the top European festivals. Also on the tour will be the UK’s DONN THE PHILOSOPHY.
Tour dates as follows:
October
Fri 14 – The Rock, Copenhagen (DK)
Sat 15 – TBA
Sun 16 – Baroeg, Rotterdam (NL)
Mon 17 – Werkstat, Cologne (DE)
Tue 18 – Biebob, Vosselaar (BE)
Wed 19 – Underworld, London (UK)
Thu 20 – Glazart, Paris (FR)
Fri 21 – Club 45, Zug (CH)
Sat 22 – Init, Rome (IT)
Sun 23 – Rock Planet, Ravenna (IT)
Both bands will be touring with new releases. TAAKE’s “Noregs Vaapen” is due for release on Dark Essence Records in mid September, whilst BYFROST’s “Of Death” was released on AFM Records in June of this year. More information about TAAKE can be found at taake.svartekunst.no and BYFROST at myspace.com/byfrostmetal.
Below you can hear a track from each of the bands – the newly re-recorded “Hordalands Doedskvad 1” from TAAKE which was released earlier this year on the “Kveld” MCD, and the title track from BYFROST’s “Of Death”.
BYFROST & TAAKE by PATRICIA THOMAS
Below you can see the official video for TAAKE’s “Umenneske”
Below you can see fan-filmed footage of BYFROST performing “Horns to the Sky” live at the Bloodstock Festival this year.
Click here to see my recent interview with Byfrost at Bloodstock Open Air 2011
taake.svartekunst.no
facebook.com/taakeofficial
myspace.com/taakeofficial
myspace.com/byfrostmetal
facebook.com/BYFROST
soundcloud.com/byfrost
twitter.com/byfrostmetal
reverbnation.com/byfrost
While I was enjoying myself at Bloodstock, I had the opportunity to talk to the mighty Byfrost! The guys were fresh from having played a killer set in the Sophie Lancaster tent and seemed ready to have a chat about their new album, “Of Death”, and their festival survival tips – over a couple of beers, obviously!
If you still need more to satisfy your Bloodstock fix – click here to read my thoughts on the events of the festival.
More information about Byfrost can be found via the links below. Check ‘em out, buy their stuff and make sure you catch them the next time they’re in town!
HORNS TO THE SKY!
facebook.com/BYFROST
myspace.com/byfrostmetal
reverbnation.com/byfrost
