SH35 Sets Denmark’s Metal Scene Ablaze
Aalborg Streetfood, now better known as SH35, set the stage on Saturday night for one of the most intense and uncompromising shows the city has seen in a long time.
A mix of well-known acts and hidden gems, Danish and international bands, atmospheric one-person performers and crushing heaviness – the harbour in Vestbyen truly came alive with music rarely heard in Aalborg, giving a fresh push to North Jutland’s metal scene.
Nexø – Hardcore punk and psychedelic soundscapes
On Saturday, Copenhagen punk band Nexø took over SH35’s main hall as part of Lasher Fest 2025. With their uncompromising and energetic performance, they delivered an experience many had come specifically to witness.
Their blend of old-school punk, hardcore elements, digital effects, and psychedelic themes in both visuals and sound gave the evening a welcome adrenaline boost and really kicked the energy level up. A screen behind the band projected their logo in 8-bit graphics, adding a retro-futuristic touch. The raw yet melodic mix of vocals and instruments fit perfectly with the industrial setting of SH35.
The band knew exactly when to push the tempo and when to pull back to keep the audience engaged. Frontman Kristian Ejlebæk Nielsen was clearly at ease on stage. At the same time, the rest of the group radiated pride in their music and the messages of anti-capitalism and life at the margins of society conveyed through their lyrics. The faster tracks, driven by sheer energy and momentum, drew the loudest response and pulled the crowd to the front.
Nexø’s concert at SH35 was a strong showcase of their musical identity and ability to engage an audience, delivering a performance that was both intense and memorable.
Iron Sight – One man, one mixer, and a wall of noise
In the smaller adjoining room, Iron Sight – the one-man project of Isak Hansen – showed why he is considered one of Denmark’s standout contributions to the European noise and power electronics scene. Known for blending raw sonic terror with melancholy undertones, he created an atmosphere that was both unsettling and absorbing.
Armed with just a mixing desk, microphone, and a voice like rusted barbed wire, Iron Sight filled the pitch-dark, windowless room with a collapsing wall of sound. The set began with layers of mechanical noise and synth textures, slowly building before erupting in full-scale chaos.
Covered in tattoos across his face and torso, with a spindly frame and manic energy, Hansen looked like someone feeding on chaos as much as fighting it. His music constantly balanced between control and collapse: dark, melancholic, yet purged with cathartic rage. The surprising additions of clean vocals and even touches of country-inspired melodies within the noise layers kept the audience on edge, never knowing when the next explosion would come – and that unpredictability was Iron Sight’s greatest strength.
Pupil Slicer – The night’s intense surprise
Later in the evening, UK mathcore band Pupil Slicer took to the main stage and unexpectedly floored many in the audience. Although relatively unknown to most present, they turned out to be one of the night’s strongest acts.
Behind them, an animated ‘barbed-wire Beholder’ projected onto the screen sparked debates among fans over the meaning of their name. Musically, however, there was no ambiguity – their technically precise mix of mathcore, grind, and post-metal delivered a complex, high-energy soundscape.
The contrast between the vocalist’s ferocity on the mic and their reserved, almost shy persona between songs made the performance even more striking. The guitarist unleashed a barrage of razor-sharp riffs, while the band showed a real command of pacing, building atmospheres before unleashing bursts of intensity.
The vocals moved fluidly between softer tones and searing screams, adding an extra layer of uniqueness to their sound. The crowd quickly caught the vibe, clapping and shouting along, with some even starting a late-night moshpit. Pupil Slicer’s set at SH35 was a powerful demonstration of musical skill and audience connection.
Wiegedood – Brutal black from Belgium
One of the evening’s biggest draws was Belgian black metal outfit Wiegedood, and it was clear from the first note why so many had gathered for them. Their reputation as one of the night’s most anticipated bands was more than justified, despite some outside debates over whether they should be considered Belgian or Dutch.
Wiegedood delivered crushing, uncompromising extreme black metal where intensity came first. Their sound stayed close to genre tradition, with just a slight touch of hardcore influence, but they executed it with precision and power. Every riff and blastbeat hit with full force, showcasing the band’s mastery and discipline.
The crowd responded instantly, surging forward as the set began. While other bands that evening experimented with genre blends, Wiegedood stuck firmly to black metal fundamentals, proving that pure execution can be just as impactful. Their ability to deliver unfiltered black metal with conviction made their concert one of the night’s highlights – and in the Nordic world, black metal still resonates deeply.
Konvent – A fitting finale
Closing the night, Danish death/doom band Konvent stepped on stage with an intensity that made it clear why they are considered one of Denmark’s strongest names in the genre. Not a single person left early – the room stayed packed until the last crushing note.
The band opened with a surprising and atmospheric touch: the melody of the Danish folk song “Solen er så rød, mor.” This brief moment of calm created a cinematic contrast before the deep growls and harsh screams took over, setting the tone for the rest of the set.
Konvent delivered a tight, heavy performance of rhythmically dense doom/death, marked by flawless interplay between drums, bass, and guitar. All members commanded the stage with experience, and the newest guitarist, Amira Hernan, with only half a year in the band, fit seamlessly into the lineup with sharp technical precision.
The blend of guttural growls, piercing screams, and crushing riffs created a hypnotic atmosphere, and the audience stayed fully immersed throughout, with many clearly loyal fans.
Konvent showed exactly why they can close a night like this with authority. From the unexpected Danish intro to the final blast of doom-laden intensity, they provided a perfect conclusion to an evening filled with fierce bands and unrelenting soundscapes.
Phtoto (c) Morten Holmsgaard Kristensen
