IMMORTAL, SATYRICON, MAYHEM, ENSLAVED Confirmed For Final Edition Of HOLE IN THE SKY Festival

IMMORTAL, SATYRICON, MAYHEM and ENSLAVED have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Hole In The Sky festival (a.k.a. Bergen Metal Fest XI),set to take place August 24-27 in Bergen, Norway. In addition, the festival organizers have announced that the 2011 installment of the event will mark its "final chapter."

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

IMMORTAL (NO)
MAYHEM (NO)
SATYRICON (NO)
ENSLAVED (NO)
GHOST (SE)
MARDUK (SE)
NEGATIVE PLANE (US)
GODFLESH (UK)
VIRUS (NO)
SAINT VITUS (US)
DEVIL (NO)

Commented the organizers: "There's a saying that all good things must come to an end.

"For twelve years we've been fortunate enough to meet many of our favorite artists, shared some incredible metal moments with fans coming from all over the world, and worked with some of the best in the scene.

"Twelve years is a long time and we've always invested a lot of time and effort in making the festival the best it possible can be and never compromise.

"Hole In The Sky has been a thing we've taken great pride in and it would be a very sad thing to let the festival suffer due to other commitments and responsibilities that comes along as you get older, so basically we want go out on a high note when we still feel inspired and on top of the game. Mind you, we will go out in a spectacular fashion.

"Hole In The Sky started out with the aim of showcasing the best the underground metal scene has to offer.

"Norway has been on the forefront of extreme metal since 1991, that's 20 years and counting, so we've decided to invite four of the most crucial acts in terms of developing the scene.

"To close the final Hole In The Sky chapter: The Last Supper, we give you IMMORTAL, SATYRICON, MAYHEM and ENSLAVED (The Big 4 of extreme metal?).

"IMMORTAL opened the very first Hole In The Sky festival in 2000 and will close the proceedings on the 2011 festivals final day.

"SATYRICON has headlined the festival with huge success two times earlier.

"ENSLAVED has delivered some historic sets, both the anniversary concert in 2009, featuring a wide array of metal royalty, and them playing the whole 'Eld' album in 2005.

"MAYHEM are the godfathers of the scene and went at it in spectacular fashion in 2007. We're glad to have them back for on final round this year."

Added booking manager Torgrim Øyre: "It's been a tremendous ride and we've experienced things we've never dreamt of when we first started out.

"Hole In The Sky has been an extremely important and personal thing to everyone involved, something that we've been very proud of.

"Over the last year we've felt some sort of fulfillment that we've come full circle, so to speak. So in fear of carrying on without the same fire as before, we feel it's better to end it on a high note than let a great thing like this diminish into obscurity.

"We're eternally grateful to everyone who has supported us over the years and hope that most of you can make it one last time. It's going to be one spectacular week.

Satyr (SATYRICON): "Judging by our standards, no other Norwegian festival comes close in terms of the quality of the booking. We've played there several times and we have a very good relationship with the locals and all the traveling visitors in general. In that case, it's a sad thing that Hole In The Sky is now coming to an end. Nevertheless, we're very proud of being one of the headliners of what will become The Last Supper. Quite simply, we're really going to deliver one fucking blinder of a show."

Abbath Doom Occulta (IMMORTAL): "VENOM has played Hole In The Sky, that says it all!"

Grutle (ENSLAVED): "Many of my best personal concert memories, both as a viewer and as a musician, took place at our beloved festival.

"ENSLAVED have had many great moments, playing in front of a fantastic audience in 2000, 2003, 2005, 2009 and now hopefully also in 2011.

"As a member of a crazy and dedicated metal audience, I have witnessed great performances by acts like AUTOPSY, CARCASS, MORBID ANGEL, ENTOMBED, IMMORTAL, DANZIG, OPETH, CANDLEMASS, VOIVOD, MAYHEM, DESTRUCTION, SODOM and PAUL DI'ANNO, just to mention a very few. I am sure I have witnessed a lot more gigs than I am able to remember, 'cause, let's not deny it, it has been a helluva party, too!

"We've had a great time partying with fellow metalheads from all over the globe. The only thing I probably won't miss about this festival is the severe hangover that follows, hehe. But who knows? Maybe we'll all miss just that the first week of September in 2012. Because something will be missing, no doubt about it. The biggest event of the year for many, many fans of metal will take place no more.
But before the goodbye hugs and the streams of tears in the name of metal begin to flow: Let us bow in awe for the people of the Hole In The Sky board throughout the years, all the volunteer workers, all the fantastic bands, the staff at Garage, the staff at USF and last but not least; you, the audience that made the whole thing possible for 12 years! LET HOLE IN THE SKY PASS INTO HISTORY WITH A MOTHER OF A BLOWOUT!! SKÅL!"

Chairwoman of the board Silje Wergeland: "Throughout 12 years of awesomeness, we've been hosting some of the best artists in metal, visited by dedicated metal heads from all over the world and working with the best crew. For over a decade Hole In The Sky has made a huge impact on our lives, and developed itself to be a vital part of the Bergen music scene. We are extremely proud of what we've achieved and truly thankful for the support over the years."

For more information, visit www.holeinthesky.no.