News
OUTER LIMIT LOTUS (NO)
- to replace RUFF MAJIK (SA)
As many of you might have noticed already, Ruff Majik has been forced to cancel their entire EU-run as support for The Great Machine due to the ongoing situation in Israel.
We want to express our understanding and compassion towards everyone involved, and hope to be able to welcome them back some time in the future.
War sucks. Always.
As sad as it is, the festival is approaching with the speed of light, and we have to choice but to look ahead. And joining our lineup last minute is artsy gloom masters Outer Limit Lotus.
Coming from Norwegian noiserock cult legends Haust, 3 of the members embarked on another musical journey, channeling their inspiration into completely new directions with Outer Limit Lotus.
The gloominess is still kept at the forefront, but changing from brutality to coldness, desperation and a musical curiosity that lead the band from intense deathrock to ice cold post-punk.
That is an expression Outer Limit Lotus have crafted perfectly, whilst bringing forth desperate ballads, soothing melodies and welcoming their darker sides with playfulness, beauty, and daringness.
We are stoked to have them open the Crypt stage Saturday October 28th!
Please welcome Outer Limit Lotus to Høstsabbat 2023
You’ve been waiting patiently, and here you go:
The day splits for Høstsabbat 2023 is live.
Physical booklets, including this very scehdule, will be handed out at the ticket exchange.
Bring your markers!
Sabbathians!
It´s time for our final band announcement, and Oh Yes!
It sure brings some perfectly timed party spice to our lineup.
Hailing from South Africa, Ruff Majik have brought their high energy rock show to stages across Europe for quite some time, gaining them a massive live reputation as a definite must-see. It´s pure rock n´roll with an almost sassy vibe to it. Joyful and melodic with a feelgood kind of aggression. You will probably end up dancing!
Ruff Majik have been on our wish list for years now, and luckily, some times the stars align, and this time they actually just did. Being able to add Ruff Majik last minute, gives our lineup the perfect balance. It has all the ingredients a 10-year-anniversary should have, and we can not wait to welcome you to church a good month from now.
Welcome Ruff Majik!
Witchcraft, take one!
Those three words, coming from the mouth of Magnus Pelander in a what seems to be a live studio-session, followed by the instant-classic riffery of the self titled song «Witchcraft», from their equally named album:
That was how Witchcraft introduced themselves to a new horde of doom heads.
That was how Witchcraft managed to conquer a new era of proto-doomers, following the path of former legends such as Pentagram, Witchfinder General, Sir Lord Baltimore and so on.
It was a formative time for many of the bands seen on top of the festival bills today. That obviously counts for Witchcraft as well.
They were the leaders, not the followers.
There is absolutely zero doubt of the impact these guys have had on our scene.
Zero.
Witchcraft however, did not get stuck in the swamp of lo-fi proto-doom for much too long.
Their incredible albums «Legend» and «Nucleus» from 2012 and 2016 marked a transition in sound, steering Witchcraft in a slightly more modern direction, but still keeping all their key elements intact.
The marvelous vocals of Magnus Pelander are always present, as is his top shelf riffs.
These God -given qualities, along with clever arrangements and forward thinking instrumentation, have secured Witchcraft a top slot for years to come.
We are dead proud and psyched to present such a legendary band to our Church of Riffs, honoring our anniversary in the best possible way.
Please welcome Witchcraft to Høstsabbat 2023
Yes, there is absolutely NO reason to weep because of last night's cancellations. Just look to the east, and what do you see? Sweden.
Can you believe we only have one Swedish band on the lineup so far?
Far too few for an anniversary addition of Høstsabbat!
Lowrider is most likely familiar to most of you, as they have been a quintessential force in the European stoner scene for what feels like ages, and rightfully so.
Bursting into the scene with a split with Nebula back in 1999 already, these guys have never looked back. They are a classic example of what continuous grinding will do to a band. They never lean on previous endeavours, but continue to expand their sonic palette with every release, and it has been a true joy to follow them over the years. Their visit to church feels way overdue.
Lowrider never disappoint, and is a live beast well worthy of the recognition they have gained. Airy compositions combined with progressive structures, killer riffs, and of course an always present monster groove makes them one of the bands not to be missed this year. And the vocals also need to be mentioned. They have an ethereal quality, almost like a velvet roof in a Mustang.
As you know, our love for all those Swedish bands has been a pivotal part of making Høstsabbat what it is today. It feels both right and great to keep that tradition alive moving forward.
We are humbled and stoked to welcome Lowrider to our Church of Riffs!
See y’all in October!
We have to talk about the Elephants in the room!
It happened again. The cancellations. Anniversary or not, sometimes things are out of our and the bands control.
We are deeply sorry to inform you that neither Elephant Tree nor Shaman Elephant can make it to Høstsabbat this fall. We do not blame them, as the reasons highly legit and truly understandable, and we hope to welcome both Elephants back in the future.
Even though this is sad news, we have some great plans in store to fill their trunks.
So keep your eyes peeled for exciting news and further announcements in the near future!
The announcements we have left might be few, but the sheer quality of the remaining bands is nothing but total fire!
The band of the day is a homegrown treasure. They are hard to pinpoint to any specific genre,or subgenre for that matter, but they have the ability to please any fan of guitars, drums and bass - so narrowing them down just doesn't feel right.
It would be unfair to both our audience and the band.
Mandalai Lamas explore the depths of rock n´roll with a swagger impossible to ignore, and of course, even harder to dislike. The swing and flow these gentlemen provide has no boundaries. It takes you from coast to coast, finding elements that are fundamental, and always have been fundamental, for an output as lush as the sound of Mandalai Lamas. Classic, but fruitful rock with an extraordinary groove if you will.
It feels timeless, but still fresh and new. That's a thing you don't see every day.
Please welcome Mandalai Lamas to Høstsabbat 2023!
Maybe some of you caught the fairly rare experience of seeing Leonov live in the church last fall, as they supported Ufomammut?
If you did, you know what to expect. If you didn´t, here it comes:
There is hardly a more cinematic band suited for the aesthetics of Høstsabbat than Leonov.
They take their appearance to another level, while co-existing with delightful video projections, a black and white magic channeling sorrow and hope, accompanied by ethereal vocals, atmospheric arrangements and razor sharp riffs. Their execution is pure class, and a joy to witness
The meditative post-metal coming from this five piece is very well composed and has an earthly, organic and heart felt feeling to it.
Leonov has the ability to create their own realm, and you get totally lost.
Please welcome Leonov to Høstsabbat 2023
It´s Monday, and the only right thing to do, is to kick the week off with what could possibly be the biggest wake-up call of this years lineup.
Reaping Flesh is cut directly from the northern punk & hardcore tribe, and includes members from legendary Kollwitz, The Spectacle and Gabriel, giving us a fair idea of how this rather new band would sound like.
The sonic devastation of Reaping Flesh is the raw, in-your-face kind of metal found at the back of your memory, being the key figure to why you still go to shows and start moshpits out of instant buzz and excitement! It triggers all the buttons.
It´s a rare and fantastic thing, to be able to present a band as a mixture between black, death, thrash, punk and hardcore, knowing it is actually true.
That mixture is Reaping Flesh - and they will come to destroy!
Please welcome Reaping Flesh to Høstsabbat 2023!
Høstsabbat is getting closer by the day, and as you can see - we are eager to present the last batch of bands to all of you. We have had a killer tradition with Polish bands on our lineup over the last years, and we are sticking to our guns, also on our anniversary.
Moonstone might be another hidden treasure to many of you. Emerging from the ever-prolific Polish stoner-doom scene, they are slowly paving their to our hazy consciousness. This fall they were set to support REZN all around Europe, and that gig itself is living proof of the sheer talent lying within Moonstone. But as REZN cancelled their whole tour last minute, the chance to have Moonstone on our lineup arose. It was a chance not to be missed.
They play highly meditative, heavy AF, almost classic stonerdoom. They push all the right buttons. Massive low-end, chanting vocals and of course: Excellent riffs. They got the whole package, and will give you goosebumps. Promise!
Please welcome Moonstone to Høstsabbat 2023!
It’s the day of the Sabbath - normally not our announcement day.
Suitable as it is nevertheless, as our band for today is far from the «normal» Høstsabbat band, if there ever was one.
We have been waiting for this announcement for quite some time, as they enchanted thousands of people at Øyafestivalen a couple of weeks ago, but now, the time is here:
Aiming For Enrike has been a force of nature in our domestic music scene for years and years, and their journey has been nothing less than spectacular.
Evolving from a chaotic and noisy two piece, pouring out aggressive and complex metal and hardcore riffs.
They are now a full blown two-piece handling stadium-sized stages with pounding, energetic and challenging club beats, accompanied by signature interstellar soundscapes and rhythms.
Totally captivating, always mind blowing, never boring.
We are beyond stoked to present Aiming For Enrike at Høstsabbat 2023
It´s FRIDAY, and finally time for another addition to our 10-year anniversary!
Summer is soon to be over, and the chimes from our Church of Riffs feels less distant by the day.
Høstsabbat is near.
The lineup is sick already, but we still have a good handful of bands to be unveiled.
Expect them presented rapidly over the next couple of weeks.
Our next announcement is probably a hidden gem for many of you.
That will not last for very long.
GRAVY JONES delivered one of the most vital, intriguing and spellbinding shows going down in the Oslo clubs last winter, and the decision to put them on the anniversary bill was immediately triggered by pure excitement and adrenaline alone, as it should.
Those shows happen, not very often, but when they do: What a magical feeling! Gravy Jones has that feeling.
Their musical outbursts is grooving between progressive twists, heavy riffs, frantic keys and catchy hooks. It is an intense cocktail to witness.
Gravy Jones play their songs with utmost passion and will, giving every one in the whole room a solid jaw-drop. Its hard to pay them justice through words, they do it much better themselves through volume and energy. This will be one for the books.
Please welcome Gravy Jones to Høstsabbat 2023!
Friday is upon us, spring is battling with summer, and the birds are singing like angels. Constantly.
What a huge contrast to our next announcement.
As some of us are longing for darker nights, and the return to church for the annual Sabbat, we have been lurking around the Oslo venues to find the essence of primal, heavy and filthy doom. In its purest form.
IRON BRA plays filthy doom. Primal and heavy, in its purest form.
Lucky for us, they are making appearance at our coming anniversary, and it will be HEAVY.
This three piece has been grinding, riffing and gigging uncontrollably since their very beginning, and their notorious presence in the Oslo underground can hardly pass unseen.
We look forward to being pummeled by the nihilist noise of their greasy grooves.
Todays announcement is not for the faint-hearted, neither is it for the daunted:
Driven by harshness, aggression and growls gnarlier than death itself, Beaten to Death is coming to pummel our senses, with their ultra-chaotic, all-encompassing style of grindcore. The skill is unreal.
Beaten to Death is a band you need to see to get. We can’t guarantee you will get it, but we can guarantee you will not regret it. It’s like the freak show of metal music.
In the blink of an eye Beaten to Death touches base with more sub-genres than you can even mention, making it almost impossible to keep track of what the F?! actually happened?
What an intense experience it will be see this bunch of maniacs let their energy flow freely in our Church of Riffs.
Please welcome Beaten To Death to Høstsabbat 2023
This week we are bringing you guys one of the most promising, prolific and uprising two-pieces our entire community has on offer.
Tuskar is pounding their sludge with a self esteem, ease and punchy heaviness rarely seen, and the riffs just keep pulling you further down their rocky abyss. The way they combine melodic and atmospheric passages with primal and absolute destruction is nothing but masterly done.
Tuskar has proven themselves to be the next generations sludge duo, picking up the heritage from Eagle Twin, Black Cobra and all the other gold that came out of Georgia and the States earlier in this decade.
Their recent album «MATRIARCH» is a pure bliss from start to finish, and the sense of future success shines through like (the?) Aurora Borealis(?). This band is going somewhere, and we believe it’s somewhere big.
Rumors say they laid completely waste at Brewgata on their first Norwegian visit this winter, and we are thrilled to bring them back and see what their chugg will do to the Church.
Please welcome TUSKAR to Høstsabbat 2023!
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.
Please welcome SIGH to Høstsabbat 2023
Arigatou!
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 weeks announcement, Danish duo John Cxnnor, who by the way crushed the main stage at Roadburn yesterday, todays 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
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 soundcaping 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.
Please welcome JOHN CXNNOR to Høstsabbat 2023
It’s Friday, and time for the last treat from our large easter egg-drop. Todays 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! 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 form last year, appropriately named «Power and Speed» draws comparison to a wide range of artists, spanning from QOTSA to Mötorhead, 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
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
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!
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.
Its with a tipsy mix of horror and delight we await the rampage of this beautiful beast!
Please welcome FFHH to Høstsabbat 2023
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
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!
Please welcome YAWNING MAN to Høstsabbat 2023!
Todays 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!
We dont throw statements around every other day, but we have noticed the fuzz around venues/promoters demanding a cut from artists merch sales, and we wanted to prove our stand.
Us being familiar with the musician side as well as the organizing side of things, we know how important those extra hundreds from merch sales can be. For touring bands frequenting Høstsabbat it’s make it or break it, more often than not. We do our very best to stretch for the benefit of the artists. They are the sole reason of our existence.
Artists deserve 100% off their merch sales.
Always.
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 todays 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!
Please welcome JAGGU to our ten-year anniversary!
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. Its 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!