Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festival Special
Pure matchless metal A truly remarkable music event is taking place next month in the historic city of Bergen. Never before has this many of Norway’s greatest metal bands performed in the same place and in the course of just four days. Welcome to this year’s exclusive edition of Blastfest! By Stine Lise Wannebo | Photos: Roy Bjørge
Between seven steep mountain sisters and a dark blue fjord sits the thousandyear-old city of Bergen. The magnificent capital of western Norway has for decades had a significant role when it comes to the growth and expansion of the Norwegian metal scene. For the past three years, thousands of metal heads have travelled across the globe to take part in one particular music festival.
preneur and metal heart with a powerful urge to share his passion with the world. “I started out with nothing but my unfading dedication and determination to succeed,” he says. “But now, three years later, Blastfest has audiences flying in from over 40 countries, 52 bands playing and four days to celebrate the Norwegian metal scene.”
Unfading determination
2016 will be the first time Blastfest consists exclusively of Norwegian musicians. Yet, this year’s exclusive edition has proven to be just as popular with the blastheads as previous festivals.
Blastfest has quickly earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading music events within its field. Behind it all is Yngve Christiansen, a musician, entre52 | Issue 84 | January 2016
Norwegian metal abroad
When travelling to concerts and festivals across the world, Yngve Christiansen has experienced the immense popularity of Norwegian metal bands abroad first hand. “I just learnt that there are travel agencies in Colombia that every year organise fixed trips to Blastfest,” he says proudly. This year, he wants to celebrate the bands and musicians that made way for the array of bands that are making metal music today.
An inclusive atmosphere Despite its often dark and unnerving outlook, the relatively new music genre called metal is commonly known for its compassionate and friendly milieu. “All metal heads are part of such an inclusive, involved and remarkable group of people,” Christiansen explains. “Fans come to Blastfest to listen to music but also to meet new friends, explore the city and take part in the incredible atmos-