Old Funeral "Grim Reaping Norway" 2002
Hearse Records

Back in 1991 extreme metal gigs weren't something you could attend very often on the west coast of Norway. Only a handful of people knew what this music was all about.

The first gig on this CD was recorded at "Hulen" in Bergen, Norway on the 30^th of August 1991. "Hulen" is originally an underground escape cave for the inhabitants of Bergen if an emergency situation should occur. Since 1969 it has been used for concerts, record fairs etc. On this very night approx. 220 people attended the gig. Old Funeral played together with a punk/hardcore band called Punishment Park. Old Funeral had by this time released the 7" vinyl EP "Devoured Carcass" and had started to get some following in Bergen Still, the audience consisted of a mix of punks, hard rock/heavy metal and extreme metal fans. The band was really angry this night and the aggression shines through in the performance. Also there was room for a cover of Agathocles' "Judged By Appearance". This soundboard recording gives justice to the grimness Old Funeral produced in this night to remember.

The second gig took place in Haugesund at a place called "Gamle Slaktehuset" (The Old Slaughterhouse). Haugesund is a small town, about 3 hours drive south of Bergen. Old Funeral was invited to do this gig by Grutle and Ivar from Enslaved. They were then in a band called Phobia and lived close to Haugesund. Phobia and Embryonic (later Emperor) also played on the same night of 11^th May 1991. About 100-130 people bought tickets. The sound is a bit rougher than Hulen gig as it's an audience recording, but still captures the essence of Old Funeral's rawness. Also a cover of Slaughter (Canada) called "Nocturnal Hell" was done this night. After the gig we had a party at Grutle's place...

This CD is dedicated to those who were there.

Tore
March 2005