Battle Beast @ Hard Rock Café, Oslo, Norway 14/9 -17
So, I’m back on the road again I guess you could say. It’s a small tour, but I guess it’s a good way to start off. As I’m heading off to Spain tomorrow, I felt it was a good stop over to do in Oslo to catch Battle Beast on their first ever Norwegian show. How amazing isn’t that?
I had spent a few days with my friend Hansi before, and fairly early we headed into Oslo from his place. We went by some recordstores and dined out before getting ready and heading off to the show.
Hard Rock Café is a pretty small venue, needless to say. We arrived when the doors open – I like to be on time, especially today seeing there were NO supportband whatsoever, making it even more risky to be late. I want to see the whole show, that’s just as it.s
Battle Beast were supposed to enter the stage ca 21, but didn’t end up entering until almost half past. Hum. Either way, they entered the stage and with flawless energy they opened their set with “Straight To The Heart”, and then launched into “Bringer of Pain”.
The house was near sold out, or perhaps even got sold out, which was a really nice thing to see. I wasn’t sure what to expect – for the first they aren’t really that big, but I’ve come to realize bands are usually bigger than you think they are.
“Familiar Hell” was next song on the list, and while there seemed to be a big bunch of Battle Beast fans, the crowd was somewhat what I expected it to be, mainly drunk norwegians. Or perhaps I should say, drunk rude norwegians. I was sorely reminded yesterday as to why I don’t like attending shows here in the North. The fucking people.
Or actually, the majority of them I guess are fine. But there’s always that one disgusting asshole, and they always target me. Remember Powerwolf? That got so bad Roel Van Helden threw the guy out? Yeah, we had something like that this time too, but a 40+ old woman who were so drunk she kept smashing me into Hansi, who on the other hand was already backed up against the bar. Despite it being A LOT of space in front of us, she was always going to lean back. Always squeeze in. After a while I got so fucking tired, that I went in infront of her, and were so fucking close to smash the phone out of her hand. Bah. People like her, and her alone, ruins experiences for people so much.
“We Will Fight” was next on the list, before they continued on with “Let it Roar”. This is one of the few times you will see me standing glued with a phone, as I was trying out this cute little live feature, which worked well.
“Black Ninja” was next on the list, and this was well received by the crowd, gladly! The beautiful “Far From Heaven” was next, followed then by “Lost in Wars”. This song has grown so much on me lately, becoming better and better.
The heavy powerpackage that is “Iron Hand” was next, and can we just stop one moment and appreciate this band, and mostly so Noora? What an incredible front woman she is. A complete powerpackage. I could just watch her perform all day, all night.
Noora asked us if we wanted to dance with them, which only means one thing: “Touch in the Night”. And I’ll tell you this – I have never in my life missed my dearest Laura as much as now. Last time I saw Battle Beast we were together, and “Touch in the Night” is kind of our song. Sure, the song was also the themesong of both Powerwolf trip in 2015 AND United States this year, but it’s nothing like how it has become mine and Laura’s song. And I stood there almost looking around to see if I could just find her somewhere… It was empty without her. BUT, Battle Beast performed it well.
Vikings. Unlike the other shows I’ve seen with Battle Beast on this tour, this time, when they asked if there were any vikings in the crowd, it actually makes sense. Of course – this won’t even be hard for you to figure out, “Bastard Son of Odin” was next on the list. “Out of Control” was next, “King for a Day”, and finally, we could see the crowd waking up a bit, before they wrapped up the entire set with “Beyond Burning Skies”.
The band thanked for the show, and then they left the stage. Notice that this is a show without the encore thing going on, which is really cool, I don’t mind to be honest.
The show was great. Like, Battle Beast is one of those bands that you can see live how many times you want, but they will still blow you away everytime. I can’t wait to see them again later this year, will be amazing.
On our way out I ran into Helle, a girl I originally met at Sabaton Open Air last year, and got to catch up a bit with her, which was nice. It was unexpected, but now I know.
We picked up some food, made our way back to the hotel and crashed in bed. Tomorrow I’m off again, to Spain this time and Serious Black and 3 Hell Rock Fest.
// Sara
Sara Hammerzmith 
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