March 23rd, 2024
Bergen, Norway @ Hulen
Photos By: Kim Baarda
Words By: Jason Deaville
What does one do after a sleepless fourteen hour flight from Canada to Norway? Well, of course, you get your ass off the plane and head to a cave (that also passes as a live music venue) to witness the one and only Abbath and his Motörhead cover band, Bömbers. I can’t think of any better way to be welcomed to Bergen!
Yes, you read that right. The venue on this night was a former bunker carved into a mountain – right in the heart of Bergen, Norway – that now serves as a music venue called Hulen. Tonight, the packed house was in for a treat, as it is not too often that Bömbers plays their hometown. Everyone who is anyone in Bergen was out to catch Abbath and crew take on Motörhead. If you were late to the party, good luck finding a place anywhere near the stage, as the venue, and particularly the area in front of the stage, is not a big space.
Without any warning, the band exploded onto the stage with a ferocity and energy that immediately recalled my few live experiences seeing Motörhead. If you are unfamiliar with Bömbers, the most telling thing is vocalist/bassist Abbath’s (ex-Immortal, ex-I, Abbath) uncanny resemblance to the late, great Lemmy Kilmister. The man is the spitting image, moustache and everything. Vocally, Abbath has perfected Lemmy’s hoarse, raspy delivery, yet with just enough Abbath coming through to not be a complete duplicate. Rounding out the lineup is legendary guitarist Tore Bratseth (ex-Old Funeral, Studfaust, The Batallion), and drummer Pez (Punishment Park).
The majority of Bömbers‘ set consisted of tracks from the first three albums, Motörhead, Overkill, and Bomber. The guys threw in a few goodies from various other albums, such as ‘Keep Us On The Road’ from the Birmingham 77 (Live) album, and a handful of tracks from Ace Of Spades, Iron Fist, Orgasmatron, and Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Bömbers could likely make a career as a full-time Motörhead cover band… they are that good and convinicing. That they choose to only play sporadically makes the experience far more special and sought after. I feel privileged having caught the guys on their home turf, surrounded by friends and Motörhead maniacs. Long live Lemmy!
