Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Community Reacts To Norwegian Tragedy

A number of hard rock and heavy metal musicians have posted comments regarding the reports that Norway had been rocked by a two-act tragedy first a downtown Oslo explosion, then a shooting at a youth camp resulting in more than 90 deaths. Some of the messages follow below.

Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES): "Thoughts and prayers to the people of Norway I am so sorry for this tragedy,, I hold Norway very close to my heart and this saddens me deeply."

ARCH ENEMY: "Watching the news with heavy hearts. Our thoughts are with our brothers and sisters in Norway. What a horrifying attack. It is hard to believe what happened."

Angela Gossow (ARCH ENEMY): "Our hearts and thoughts are with Norway today. Watching the news is heavy. What a horrible, disgusting deed. 87 people dead so far. It makes no sense. The world got a bit darker today."

ICED EARTH: "Our hearts go out to the people of Norway. The loss of life is horrific, nearly too much to contemplate. (After killing seven people in a bomb blast, a lone gunman killed over 80 people, some as young as 16, in a summer youth camp.) Please join us in sending prayers, positive thoughts, and sincere condolences to the friends and family members affected by this tragedy."

KAMELOT: "On behalf of all the KAMELOT members and organization, our hearts go out to all those affected in the recent attacks in Oslo. KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood adds: 'As many of you know, Norway is like a second home to us and we are wishing the best possible solution and justice in this senseless tragedy. All of us here are very shocked and sad about these events.'"

MORTIIS: "Our thoughts and condolences go out to everyone affected by the bombing in Oslo, and the shooting at Utya. Terrible tragedy. I don't think anyone expected this to happen in Norway. I guess this puts things in perspective. People in places like Baghdad have to deal with this sort of stuff all the time."

Nikki Sixx (MTLEY CRE): "My heart goes out to all the victims and families of the destruction and murder in Norway... There are no words... I am sorry..."

ENSLAVED: "Our deepest condolences and thoughts go out to everybody touched by the fathomless tragedy that struck Norway yesterday. This is indeed a day for afterthought."

THE GATHERING: "Our hearts, deepest sympathy and and warm thoughts goes out to all the affected people in Norway after the horrible bombing and shooting in Oslo and Utya. As you know, [THE GATHERING singer] Silje [Wergeland] is Norwegian living in Norway, and it has shocked her as well as her fellow Norwegians to the bone. We are following the news constantly with tears in our eyes. Nobody can describe in words how dreadful this is. Now it's time for afterthoughts."

MESHUGGAH: "Dear friends, we guess many of you have already heard and read about the terror attacks that took place in Oslo and the island Utoya in Norway yesterday where as of now 91 people have been killed. 84 of them between 14-18 years old. Our thoughts goes out to the Norwegian people, the families and friends affected by these horrible acts."

LEPROUS: "We would like to express our deepest sympathy with everyone involved in yesterday's shocking events in our hometown, Oslo. This is a day for unity, compassion and grief."

Anette Olzon (NIGHTWISH): "I weep with Norway in this horrible day after the events yesterday where 91 persons died, most of them children and young people. Its just so horrible that I dont have words for how I feel but I send my condolences to the victims families, the survivors and all of Norway. We really need to reach out to each other instead of hating..."

Oddleif Stensland (COMMUNIC): "Our hearts are with our fellow Norwegians on this sad day. Our deepest condolences go out to the families touched by this insane tragedy."

URIAH HEEP: "What has happened is beyond words! Our deepest sympathy goes out to each and every family, and our prayers and thoughts are with them at this difficult time!"

David Draiman (DISTURBED): "Our hearts go out to the people of Norway. Horrible turn of events leading to the loss of many innocent lives."

Sharon Osbourne (Ozzy Osbourne's wife/manager): "The people in Norway are such gentle lovely people. My thoughts and prayers are with them."

Tony Harnell (TNT): "To all my fans and dear friends in my second home of Norway, I send you my warmest thoughts and my arms are wrapped around you. You'll get through it like the Vikings you are! My thoughts are with you all during this terrible tragedy. It's too bad the problems of the world have finally reached sweet little Norway."

PAGAN'S MIND: "Words are too small to express how we feel right now. 91 people killed, most of them youngsters same age as some of our own kids... But it's important to keep living life like a dream and don't let bastards like this coward gunman, who didn't even have the guts to end his own misery before police arrested him, ruin your freedom of speech and freedom to explore the world."

3 INCHES OF BLOOD: "Saddened to hear of the violence going on in Norway. Our thoughts go out to you!"

Scott Ian (ANTHRAX, THE DAMNED THINGS): "The horror played out today in Norway sickens me to my core... my thoughts are with you."

Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (GUNS N' ROSES): "Giving my love to Oslo."

VANISHING POINT: "Our thoughts go out to our friends and fans in Norway. Today is a sad day for such a peaceful country and people."

CRUACHAN: "Thoughts and blessings to everyone in Norway. I hope they catch the scum that done this and give them a very slow painful death!"

Ihsahn (ex-EMPEROR): "We at Mnemosyne [Productions, owned and operated by partners Ihsahn and his wife Heidi] would like to express our deepest sympathy and compassion for the victims and everyone affected by the immense tragedy that has occurred in Oslo and Utya. Our thoughts are with you."

John Norum (EUROPE): "Dear EUROPE's Norwegian fans, I would like to send my condolences to the people of Norway on the tragedy that took place yesterday. Please know that our hearts and thoughts are with you."

MERCENARY: "Our thoughts go out to our neighbors in Norway. What happened in Oslo and on Utya is beyond horrible. No words can express how deeply we wish the ones responsible for these terrorist acts may be severely punished."

BISON B.C.: "Our thoughts go out to our Norwegian brothers and sisters and to their friends and families. We hope you are all safe and well. Our condolences to those affected by the senseless actions. Glad to hear that our old tour mates and friends in KVELERTAK were not in Olso when the attacks occurred."

Liv Kristine (LEAVES' EYES, ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY): "Norway's soul is hurt. My deepest thoughts go to my home country, to the victims and their families. Norway is an amazingly beautiful country and a safe place to live. Such an attack on our democracy and our peaceful nation must be condemned to the sharpest. Any form of radicalism must be destroyed at its source. This is terrible and must never happen again."

NIGHTMARE: "Our thoughts and condolences are with our brothers and sisters in Norway."

Matt Camacho (FORBIDDEN): "I feel bad for a few of my friends from Norway who are here in Finland at the Tuska festival. I can see it in their eyes that it's really hard to have fun with so much tragedy at home."

Chris Jericho (FOZZY): "Just read about the horrific events in Norway. I'm in shock that something like that happened. Prayers to the victims and their loved ones."

GALLOWS: "Our deepest sympathies to those affected by the events in Norway yesterday. Truly devastated by what's happened."

David Coverdale (WHITESNAKE): "My thoughts & prayers go out all those affected by the tragic events in Norway...A beautiful country & a beautiful people...XX"

FRANTIC AMBER: "Our thoughts today go out to Norway and the Norwegian people. The terrible attacks that happened yesterday in Oslo and the island Utoya in Norway is unforgettable. At least 91 people have deceased and 84 of them was between 14 and 18 years old. Our thoughts go to them, to their families and friends and to all Norwegians."

SLSTAFIR: "Horrible news from Norway and then some more horrible news from Norway! Has everything gone apeshit over there? We hope all our friends over there are safe and sound!!"