Viva Sounds 2024. Gothenburg, Sweden. It might've been cold and rainy outside, but inside The Abyss on Andra Långgatan the mood was anything but dreary. Loads of metal fans (most of whom have their own fantastic bands – a topic I'd love to dive into at some point) watched a select few artists absolutely tear things up over the course of three days, and you need to hear every single one of 'em.
So who are they? Let's get into it! Oh, and make sure you keep up with Viva Sounds 2025 here – whoever they book is going to rule.
Ultra Lover
Ultra Lover from Stockholm, Sweden. More noise rock than anything else, but a raucous good time that may result in some bloody knuckles and missing teeth. Shit happens. Check out Ultra Lover here on Bandcamp.
Blessings
Blessings from Gothenburg, Sweden. If you like bands like KEN Mode and Kowloon Walled City with maybe a touch more hardcore punk, you need to get some Blessings in your life. Check out Blessings here on Bandcamp.
Thus
Thus from Aarhus, Denmark. If you're into twisting, turning progressive death metal in the vein of The Black Dahlia Murder and Nevermore, you need to hear this. It's as impressive recorded as it is live. Check out Thus here on Bandcamp.
Obstruktion
Obstruktion from Gothenburg, Sweden. Somehow nobody moshed The Abyss into a smoldering heap during Obstruktion's set, though the temptation was real. Obstruktion has one mode, and it's "endlessly dole out violent fight riffs." Check out Obstruktion here on Bandcamp.
Fox Womb
Fox Womb from Gothenburg, Sweden. I remember watching these guys and turning to Roger Andersson of Suicide Records and saying "this is some real Trap Them shit." I still stand by that comment. Check out Fox Womb here on Bandcamp.
Swartzheim
Swartzheim from Aarhus, Denmark. Thrash metal from a young band that can only be described as "absolutely ravenous for riffs." Swartzheim doesn't have anything on streaming services yet and is looking for a label… so if you're a label, hit 'em up.
Hilning
Closing things out was the first-ever performance by one-man black metal project Hilning from Nås, Sweden! Cold, bleak, corpse paint – you get the idea. Listen to Råtijinn in the woods at night, by torchlight if possible. Check out Hilning here on Bandcamp.
