Clown was a nu-metal band hailing from Bergen, Norway.

Part 1: The First Years The origins of Clown trace back to the mid-1990s when guitarists Christer Bakke and Haakon Haagensen decided to form a band. Initially known as Disallowed, the line-up was completed by bassist Øystein Knutsen, who later joined the local hardcore/metal band Legacy. Finding a rehearsal space and dedicated musicians for drums and vocals proved challenging, but after a few years, the band enlisted drummer Geir Titland and vocalist Mathis Risebrobakken. They began recording tracks in a modest rehearsal space at a nearby school. By this time, Øystein had departed, and Yngve Knudsen joined as the new bassist. Clown made their public debut on March 7, 1997, at a local club for teenagers, performing songs like “Dirt” and “Fungus.” Over the spring of 1997, Clown played approximately a dozen shows in the Bergen area, receiving enthusiastic responses for both their nu-metal sound and high-energy performances. The band’s last gig with Mathis and Geir took place on July 17, 1997, at Kvarteret in Bergen, alongside Legacy, marking the conclusion of Clown’s first era.

Part 2: A New Beginning In the autumn of 1997, Geir, Christer, and Haakon had to fulfill their mandatory military service. Haakon was stationed in the northern regions of Norway, limiting his participation in the band to occasional visits home. Despite this setback, the group was determined to continue. During his service, Haakon met Lasse, who lived in the same area as the other band members, facilitating rehearsals. This new collaboration proved fruitful, leading to a more skilled band and exploring bolder musical directions. Geir opted to extend his military service by serving in war-torn parts of former Yugoslavia, prompting the band to seek a new drummer. They found Ben, a familiar face, who joined around Christmas 1997 and introduced them to a new rehearsal space in an old storehouse on his property, which remains their practice venue to this day. The current line-up of Clown performed together for the first time on April 10, 1998, also supporting Legacy. With the completion of military service for Lasse, Christer, and Haakon that summer, the band dedicated more time to creating new material and played numerous concerts, building a growing fan base. The Bergen music scene, however, posed challenges, requiring the band to engage the crowd with confidence to foster an energetic atmosphere.

By the end of 1998, Clown decided to record their first demo. They collaborated with producer Jørgen Træen, a former guitarist of the hardcore band Slut Machine, at his Duper recording studio in the days leading up to New Year's Eve 1998-1999, recording tracks such as “So Tight,” “Dirt,” and “My Design.” The cover art and layout were crafted by Christer and Haakon with assistance from Ricky Sookermany. Although proud of their initial effort, the band later felt that those tracks paled in comparison to their new material. The year 1999 was productive, with the band writing and performing more songs, albeit still fewer than desired. The year 2000 continued this positive trend, as they produced strong new material, leading them to believe that 2001 would be the year they gained significant attention.

Part 3: The Clown Style Describing Clown’s sound is challenging, but it can be categorized as metal. Their music showcases a diverse range, featuring aggressive tracks such as “My Weak Lung,” “Unwell,” and “All Your Ugly,” alongside more melodic and soothing pieces like “Glorify,” “Velvet Her,” and “Anemic.” This growing diversity stems from their willingness to experiment and their commitment to creating music that resonates with them, allowing Clown to carve out their unique identity rather than conforming to existing styles.

Part 4: The Future Clown is a band with clear ambitions, seeking to expand their reach, perform in larger venues, and record albums. Confident in the quality of their material, they are determined to pursue their goals. Recognizing the presence of many similar bands, they believe that metal deserves greater attention and are committed to executing their vision effectively.