Black Debbath

Black Debbath started in 1999 as a Black Sabbath tribute band from Bøler in Oslo, but quickly became something far greater — Norway’s self-proclaimed fifth estate and the world’s leading purveyor of academic stoner rock. The band consists of Lars Lønning, Egil Hegerberg, Aslag Guttormsgaard and Ole Petter Andreassen, all known from a range of other projects such as Bare Egil Band, Hurra Torpedo, Gartnerlosjen and The Cumshots. Since the debut Tung, tung politisk rock they have released a long string of albums, each with its own concept — from a tourist guide to Norway to an Ibsen tribute to a feminist manifesto.

The music is heavy, blues-based hard rock in the Black Sabbath tradition, but the lyrics are something else entirely: politically incorrect, sharply satirical and often surprisingly astute op-eds on Norwegian society, disguised as riff-heavy hymns. Imagine a newspaper column performed by Black Sabbath. It’s funny, it’s heavy, and it’s smarter than it lets on Live, Black Debbath are a celebration. With over 25 years as a fixture on Norwegian festivals — including Tons of Rock, where they have played every single year since its inception — they know exactly how to make an audience both laugh and headbang. Riffs and social commentary served in perfect harmony.