Oslo’s big festival Tons of Rock kicks off already next week. The line-up is topped by bands from various genres. But if you look a bit further down the poster, you’ll find plenty of interesting names — bands many people might not be familiar with. Any band that has its logo on the poster is automatically disqualified from being included.
Here are 10 smaller-scale concerts happening at Tons of Rock — and why you shouldn’t miss these particular bands.
OLD MAN’S CHILD
Why:
Old Man’s Child is the passion project of Galder, who previously played guitar in Dimmu Borgir. But before he joined Dimmu, Old Man’s Child was his main band. In fact, they were one of the names to watch back in the ’90s.
The 1996 debut Born of the Flickering was excellent. But things really peaked with The Pagan Prosperity, which came out the following year.
Only five concerts were played in Norway at that time, and the ones I saw were phenomenal. Then Galder joined Dimmu Borgir, and Old Man’s Child became a studio project that no longer played live.
Now that Galder is no longer part of Dimmu Borgir, Old Man’s Child is back — and it’s time to dig out the old albums and make sure you see the band when they finally return to a Norwegian stage, 25 years since their last concert.
CARCASS
Why:
If you’re over a certain age and into death metal, chances are you already know Carcass. But younger fans may well have missed the British band and why they’re important.
In the ’80s, Carcass were one of the pioneers of grindcore, alongside bands like Napalm Death. Later, they laid the foundation for what became melodic death metal, with the album Heartwork in 1993.
Since the ’90s, Carcass has only released two albums — so naturally, many younger fans haven’t had them on the radar. But now’s your chance.
CANDLEMASS
Why:
Candlemass are quite simply the pioneers of what we call epic doom metal. The Swedes took Black Sabbath’s heavy riffs and added epic vocals that gave the music a new dimension — leading the way for a whole new branch of doom metal in the ’80s.
But if you were born after the ’90s, you might not be familiar with the band or how important they were. Already in 1991, vocalist Messiah Marcolin left the band.
Even though they’ve reunited with him twice since, Candlemass never quite regained the popularity they had in the ’80s.
ETERNAL EVIL
Why:
Sweden’s Eternal Evil are newcomers in the black thrash genre. The members have barely left their teenage years but have already built a solid name in the metal underground.
There’s a reason for that — the two albums they’ve released so far are top quality, delivered by a young and hungry band.
EXODUS
Why:
Exodus are one of the early Bay Area thrash metal bands — so the chance that you’ve heard of them is high.
If you’re over 40, you definitely know Exodus. If you’re younger, less likely.
But since Metallica stole Kirk Hammett from Exodus all the way back in 1983, you probably at least know the name. The fact that guitarist Gary Holt later joined Slayer has also helped spread the word.
But the music of Exodus should be enough on its own. Bonded by Blood is part of the curriculum for any metal fan.
UGLY KID JOE
Why:
Ugly Kid Joe isn’t really a band you have to see. But I’m including them because they belong to the glory days of the past.
They were a proper two-hit wonder from the early ’90s. Back in 1991, they released their debut EP — full of parody lyrics and an attitude that teenagers across the world loved.
If you weren’t a teenager yourself in 1991, you’ve probably never heard of them.
The song Everything About You hit like a bomb, and the EP sold over a million copies in the U.S. alone. That opened all the doors, and the band rushed out a full-length album so they could join Ozzy on tour.
Rob Halford from Judas Priest guested on the record, they got a song into the film Wayne’s World, and here in Norway, they played Oslo Spektrum.
In 1997 the band broke up. They later reunited, but the success didn’t return — and the last time they played in Norway, in 2017, it was at Hard Rock Cafe.
DARK ANGEL
Why:
Dark Angel is a classic American thrash metal band. But unlike many of the other ’80s thrash acts, they never reached big commercial success.
Still, the 1986 album Darkness Descends has cult status and is considered a classic by thrash metal fans.
Also worth mentioning: the band’s drummer is Gene Hoglan — one of the top drummers in the genre, with a CV that includes Death, Testament, Anthrax, Forbidden, and Old Man’s Child.
HURRA TORPEDO
Why:
It’s honestly great fun to see Hurra Torpedo back. It’s been many years since the band last played, and even longer since I saw them live.
I also really hope a bunch of international visitors accidentally wander into the concert — they’re in for a surprise.
Hurra Torpedo play household appliances and are a true junk orchestra in every sense.
For Norwegians, the faces in the band will be familiar — both from TV and from bands like Black Debbath and Gartnerlosjen.
DJERV
Why:
Djerv have made their mark thanks to Agnete Kjølsrud, who is a brilliant vocalist and frontwoman.
The band has had its share of attention here in Norway, but since they’ve only released one album — back in 2011 — I’m unsure how well known they are outside Norway.
The main reason to see them now is simple: they rarely play live. So take the chance while it’s there.
BACKSTREET GIRLS
Why:
If there’s one Norwegian band that’s played a lot of gigs, it’s Backstreet Girls.
But with vocalist Bjørn Müller passing away in 2024, the band’s future is uncertain — even if it’s hard to imagine guitarist Petter Baarli ever quitting.
Still, it’s just as hard to picture Backstreet Girls without Bjørn Müller.
He wasn’t even the band’s original vocalist, but he became such an essential frontman that he became Backstreet Girls.
Either way, they’re Norway’s top live band — and in Bjørn’s honour, we look toward the future of the band, starting with their show at Tons of Rock.
About The Author
