Classically trained musician Christina Sandsengen is set to make her debut appearance on bass for Norwegian black metallers GRAVDAL when the band plays at this year’s Hits For Kidz at Bergen’s Hole in the Sky festival on the 28th August. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Guitar from the Norwegian Academy of Music and the Conservatorio "Manuell Castillo" Superior de Musica in Seville, Christina is no stranger to the world of metal, having previously played with IMMUNE and LUCID, and she is a current member of bands such as BLEED THE FREAK. It is anticipated that for the time being at least, Oslo-based Christina will take on the role of live session bass player.

Due to the very strictly enforced age limits in clubs and venues, Hits For Kidz is one of the rare opportunities for the younger Norwegian metal fans to attend a live concert. With no age limit, Hits For Kidz, which is being held at the Garage venue, has become an extremely popular part of Hole in the Sky, attracting audiences of all ages. Aside from Gravdal, this year’s event will also feature sets from Norway’s HELLISH OUTCAST and Germany’s SECRETS OF THE MOON.

Formed in 2005 by drummer Taakesjel (BIZARREKULT) and guitarist Phobos, who is usually behind the drum kit for AETERNUS, MALSAIN and GALAR, and who will later this year join SULPHUR as live session drummer on the upcoming Dark Essence Records Tour, Gravdal’s line up is completed by Galge on vocals and Specter (AETERNUS) on guitars. Part of Bergen’s legendary music scene, Gravdal’s second-full length album Torturmantra was released on Unexploded Records earlier this year. Produced by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen, and recorded by Larsen, Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) and Arve Isdal (Enslaved, AUDREY HORNE) at their Conclave and Earshot studios in Bergen, Torturmantra includes a guest appearance by SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth.

More information about Gravdal can be found on the band’s MySpace page.

Below you can see fan-filmed footage of Gravdal performing the track "Eg E Ditt Helvete" from the album “Torturmantra” during their recent European Tour with GORGOROTH and KEEP OF KALESSIN.