Keep Of Kalessin - Competing To Represent Norway In Eurovision Song Contest
Norwegian black metal band Keep Of Kalessin are among the artists competing to represent Norway in next year's Eurovision Song Contest.
Last Tuesday (December 1), Keep of Kalessin guitarist and songwriter Obsidian C (real name: Arnt Grønbech) told the Norwegian TV show "Lydverket" that he's looking forward to performing the song "The Dragon Tower" alongside Norwegian pop artists and mainstream songwriters.
"I read an interview with Per Sundnes (host of the Norwegian Eurovision finals) where he said they wanted darker and harder songs for the Norwegian Eurovision finals," he said. "At the same time, we had made a song with a catchy chorus, so I just sent it to them."
On being called sellout:
Obsidian: "I think we are gonna get some reactions from the black metal scene, and lose some credibility. Some people, at least, will call us sellouts, but people saying those things are usually people who have an underground band themselves but make a living from selling hot dogs at a gas station. I think it's less of a sellout to play in the Eurovision than to sell hot dogs."
Finnish rock band Lordi won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 with the song "Hard Rock Hallelujah". Obsidian C doesn't believe Keep of Kalessin will achieve the same type of success in the competition, but he's looking forward to getting more mainstream attention for the band.
"The song might be a little too extreme for us to win, but hard rock has performed well in the Eurovision earlier, so we'll just have to wait and see," he said. "The song will at least give us a little more attention with a broad audience back here in Norway."
Leif Åge Reme, executive producer of the Norwegian Eurovision Song Contest finals, says that the TV show did not ask Keep of Kalessin to take part in the competiton for publicity. "Eurovision is a songwriting contest that reflects the type of songs that are being written around the country, even if that means it is not pop. We are seeking a broad selection of songwriters, and not the publicity."
Last Tuesday (December 1), Keep of Kalessin guitarist and songwriter Obsidian C (real name: Arnt Grønbech) told the Norwegian TV show "Lydverket" that he's looking forward to performing the song "The Dragon Tower" alongside Norwegian pop artists and mainstream songwriters.
"I read an interview with Per Sundnes (host of the Norwegian Eurovision finals) where he said they wanted darker and harder songs for the Norwegian Eurovision finals," he said. "At the same time, we had made a song with a catchy chorus, so I just sent it to them."
On being called sellout:
Obsidian: "I think we are gonna get some reactions from the black metal scene, and lose some credibility. Some people, at least, will call us sellouts, but people saying those things are usually people who have an underground band themselves but make a living from selling hot dogs at a gas station. I think it's less of a sellout to play in the Eurovision than to sell hot dogs."
Finnish rock band Lordi won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 with the song "Hard Rock Hallelujah". Obsidian C doesn't believe Keep of Kalessin will achieve the same type of success in the competition, but he's looking forward to getting more mainstream attention for the band.
"The song might be a little too extreme for us to win, but hard rock has performed well in the Eurovision earlier, so we'll just have to wait and see," he said. "The song will at least give us a little more attention with a broad audience back here in Norway."
Leif Åge Reme, executive producer of the Norwegian Eurovision Song Contest finals, says that the TV show did not ask Keep of Kalessin to take part in the competiton for publicity. "Eurovision is a songwriting contest that reflects the type of songs that are being written around the country, even if that means it is not pop. We are seeking a broad selection of songwriters, and not the publicity."
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| Band profile: | Keep Of Kalessin |
Posted: 04.12.2009 by Account deleted
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| Bas Retired Staff Elite Posts: 5591  |
It would be pretty awesome if they'd actually represent Norway at eurovision song contest. I don't think it's very likely but hey, at least they're definitely better than Lordi or Teräsbetoni (blergh) And I like hot dogs, lol
---- BAS - Beautifully Accented Sexiness
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| Black_Handed A village idiot Posts: 386  |
Well, no...selling hot dogs (and hot dogs in general) is metal, unless its a metaphor for selling a specific part of male body, then it is not.
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| Ragana Rawrcat Posts: 4919  |
Norway wouldn't want to host Eurovision for two years anyway, so they can easily afford something totally insane. Quote: That's rubbish, those are two different things and I don't even sell hotdogs, lol. 
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| Sunioj Posts: 3894  |
It's not like this band hasn't "sold-out" before. Not that it really matters. Hell, if I had a chance to take a piss on the Eurovision, I'd probably do the same thing.
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| silenius Posts: 527  |
Well they suck and their music is very popish nowadays so i think this fits them perfectly:P
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| iMorphball Posts: 279  |
Written by silenius on 04.12.2009 at 19:14 Keep of Kalessin is poppish? i would never have come to THAT conclusion.ß
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| Carrion Misery Posts: 424  |
Written by silenius on 04.12.2009 at 19:14 lol you're the one with Opeth as the first band in your favorites. Opeth's latest music is more pop than Keep's; so why would that be an issue on whether or not they're good? Keep's latest music flows better than before and is more catchy than it used to be, that doesn't make it pop imo. Still fast as hell with kick ass riffs. They're a fresh, original sound that I like a lot. I hope Keep gains more fans and opportunities through this show.
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| Valaskjalf Account deleted |
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| Zhao The Arkaholic Posts: 104 |
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| Ragana Rawrcat Posts: 4919 |
Written by Zhao on 04.12.2009 at 19:44 Nope. Sonata Arctica. Anyway, what about Sweden? 
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| Zhao The Arkaholic Posts: 104 |
Written by Ragana on 04.12.2009 at 19:53 Pain of Salvation is going to enter the contest with a song with the same name as thier next album.
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| DoomGuard Posts: 368  |
Even though I'm not from Norway, Lordi would be funner to see on stage again
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| RhaegarTargaryen Telcontar Posts: 388  |
I love the way that all trve metalheads go saying how band is a "sell out" or "pop" if it tries to promote itself in any 'unmetal' way. Who fucking cares, it's a way to promote a band, and metal. Certanly they will get more attention this way, so it's a brilliat move for them ... oh and I saw them live few months ago, they fucking rock  Btw there were talks that Stratovarius will represent Belarus since it matters from which country the writer of the song is ...
---- ... For years I have traveled in coldness, But my heart is warm as the darkened sun above me... Nothing can never take away What I've seen with these tired eyes
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| Zhao The Arkaholic Posts: 104 |
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| Doc G. Full Grown Hoser Staff Posts: 9718  |
Written by Carrion Misery on 04.12.2009 at 19:38 A better comparison would be the fact he has Behemoth on his favourites list, Keep Of Kalessin and Behemoth are about neck and neck for accessible black metal. Secondly, call it country for all I care, Keep Of Kalessin is fucking awesome. I hope the best for them in this contest...At least Obsidian is realistic by the sounds of it.
---- "I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck." - George Carlin
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| Darth Satanious Post Destroyer Posts: 2154  |
What a bunch of fucking posers. *puts ketchup on a hotdog*
---- Christless
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306  |
It's only a matter of time before the Eurovision competition is ransacked and burned to the ground with the judge being crucified by legions of overzealous -- I mean passionate -- black metal fans who felt their favorite band was cheated as a result of society bowing to Christianity or something. I dunno...I'm not psychic. I mean I was going to become a clairvoyant, but I couldn't see a future in it.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| silenius Posts: 527 |
But yea it would be great if they reached the finals, always fun to see metal bands prevail in commercial things, and i just said that shit above due to my distinct hatred towards their 2 latest albums^^ love their first:P
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| Promonex Cathemeral Elite Posts: 9720  |
A black metal band representing Norway? That's the most sensible thing I've heard about that contest for quite a while. At least a lot more sensible than swing artists representing Germany with Dita von Teese showing off.
---- All life begins with Nu and ends with Nu... This is the truth! This is my belief! ...At least for now. - The Mystery of Life, Vol. 841 Ch. 26
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| Mother_North Posts: 128  |
I absolutly loved this news ahahah We need more metal on the Eurovision, next step will be My Dying Bride representing England and King Diamond representing Denmark Moshpit and stage diving live from Eurovision
---- "i still can't imagine any of them dead. They live on; they are fixed on that far-off region called childhood, were nothing ever dies, not even oneself."
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| Ellrohir Heaven Knight Posts: 8662  |
I think i would pay attention to this year again .D
---- My rest seems now calm and deep Finally I got my dead man sleep 
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| RhaegarTargaryen Telcontar Posts: 388 |
Written by Zhao on 04.12.2009 at 22:11 That would be quite cool. Few days ago I spoke with friend, how all scandinavian countries should make a "secret plan" to send only metal bands to eurovision 
---- ... For years I have traveled in coldness, But my heart is warm as the darkened sun above me... Nothing can never take away What I've seen with these tired eyes
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| matos Posts: 511  |
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| Thorhalla Posts: 18  |
Wtf??? no way..don't pls
---- A mighty troll warrior sharpens his sword. He prepares his armour, binds his beard and tars his face. As the sun sets, he rides a giant wolf to the crusaders fortress. He slays the wrong-believers and feasts on their blood.
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| Enissa Posts: 815  |
Black Metal band in Eurovision??? thats a first...!!! though I dont like this genre, I would love to see them performing in Eurovision!!!
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| Enissa Posts: 815 |
Written by Zhao on 04.12.2009 at 22:11 Lol, Manga is a rock band with style like Linkin Park not a metal band!!!!
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| Dominus The Shooter Posts: 375  |
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| Overlord_PT Posts: 140  |
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| Ellrohir Heaven Knight Posts: 8662 |
Which i find very metal   but i have seen 2 years of it and i say there were always a couple of rockers/metalers...only they were drowned between fagots and pop queens
---- My rest seems now calm and deep Finally I got my dead man sleep
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| Warman Erotic Stains Posts: 7695  |
"Some people, at least, will call us sellouts, but people saying those things are usually people who have an underground band themselves ..." Ehm, no? I rarely discuss the sellout topic, but to most average Metal fans... this is sellout.
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