Bombing in Oslo, Norway. Thoughts to my fellow norwegians!

[BassMonstrum]

So I was on my way to our rehearsal-room today when I got a craving for coffee. Went to my favourite café and ordered a double americano-to-go. Then stopped by a music-store, tested the MXR Blowtorch, when I heard and felt a big bang! Eventually bought the pedal and overheard conversations about an explosion here in Oslo, Norway. Make my way to our rehearsal-room where I notice broken glass everywhere, fire-alarms in almost every store and people bleeding!

Apparently, there was an explosion in a governmentbuilding located a few blocks away from our rehearsal-room! I couldn't even enter because the entrance was covered in glass. I decided to walk home due to ambulances and policecars everywhere and find out that the explosion happened near the primeministers office. Several injured and so far seven dead!

As I saw the damage on the news, it hit me... if I didn't buy that cup of coffee or didn't go to the music-store to test the Blowtorch or even spent less time playing it in the store, I would've been right there where it happened. I'll count my blessings and treasure the MXR-pedal as long as I live! My thoughts go to everyone here in Oslo and to those affected by the horrible incident!

Kevin R. Alvaro,
bassplayer and resident of Oslo, Norway.

[Kawai-chang]

Condonlences to the people of Oslo, and Norway. Glad you weren't there.

[Jim Nazium]

Wow, that was a close call. Glad you are OK. Thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.

[Tituscrow]

Wonder who will claim responsibility. Haven't they arrested someone?

Scumbags.

[fenderhutz]

I guess they are still ironing out details but whom/what group is responsible for this (as posted this as you did tituscrow)? Norway is rated as one of the BEST places to move due to lack of crime and a high standard of living as well as it's a great environment.

[Tituscrow]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

I guess they are still ironing out details but whom/what group is responsible for this (as posted this as you did tituscrow)? Norway is rated as one of the BEST places to move due to lack of crime and a high standard of living as well as it's a great environment.

Sure. I know a few Scandinavians, and you could not wish to meet cooler people. Visited a few times and always enchanted by the place.

However, latest theories include everything from a bin Laden revenge attack, anti Afghanistan occupation attack, anti Muhammad cartoon attack and even, I kid you not, some right wing black metal nut. The kid arrested is a tall blonde native speaker. Curious to see how this pans out.

Terrible day. Thoughts with you all.

[sneha1965]

This is disturbing. My condolences to the families who are suffering.

[BassMonstrum]

Shortly after the bombing, there was a shooting an hour away from Oslo where there are at leats four teenagers killed. Initially thought to be connected as it was a political youth rally where kids from the age of 14 get together, like a summercamp. It is also held by the same political party as our primeminister is affiliated. The shooter was disguised as a police-officer and has now been arrested. He is a tall, ruggedly built caucasian man with blond hair. Also just heard that a middle-eastern terrorist group has taken responsibility for the bombing. So, either the two incidents are not related or the terroristgroup is just taking the p!ss.

Either way, this is going down as one of, if not THE most darkest days here in Norway since WW2.

[bassguppy]

so sorry to hear this...


Here's a link for those interested. They also report a gunman at a Labour Party youth camp near Oslo. This is sad.

Norway reels after bomb blast, youth camp attack - World news - Europe - msnbc.com

A massive explosion wrecked government buildings in central Oslo on Friday, including Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg's office, killing at least seven and injuring several others, NBC News reported.

Stoltenberg was not in the building at the time of the explosion, which happened around 3:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. EDT), Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten reported.

Separately, a man in a police uniform opened fire at a Labour Party youth camp on an island outside Oslo, Norwegian media said. Investigators told local media they suspect a link between the shootings and the blast. Norwegian TV2 said several people were killed on the island of Utoya, but there was no confirmation of the report. Police have arrested one person after the shooting.

Stoltenberg had been scheduled to attend the event on the island, police said.

Police confirmed at least seven dead in the Oslo blast. At least 10 injured people were admitted to Oslo University Hospital, a hospital spokesman told Reuters. The toll could be higher, with the police chief saying there have been “a lot” of casualties and reports of people trapped in the building

[Rocker949]

Originally Posted by BassMonstrum

Shortly after the bombing, there was a shooting an hour away from Oslo where there are at leats four teenagers killed. Initially thought to be connected as it was a political youth rally where kids from the age of 14 get together, like a summercamp. It is also held by the same political party as our primeminister is affiliated. The shooter was disguised as a police-officer and has now been arrested. He is a tall, ruggedly built caucasian man with blond hair. Also just heard that a middle-eastern terrorist group has taken responsibility for the bombing. So, either the two incidents are not related or the terroristgroup is just taking the p!ss.

Either way, this is going down as one of, if not THE most darkest days here in Norway since WW2.

One article I just read is already calling it Norway's 9/11. My condolences to the great country of Norway, a country I've had an interest in for years.

[Tituscrow]

Originally Posted by BassMonstrum

Shortly after the bombing, there was a shooting an hour away from Oslo where there are at leats four teenagers killed. Initially thought to be connected as it was a political youth rally where kids from the age of 14 get together, like a summercamp. It is also held by the same political party as our primeminister is affiliated. The shooter was disguised as a police-officer and has now been arrested. He is a tall, ruggedly built caucasian man with blond hair. Also just heard that a middle-eastern terrorist group has taken responsibility for the bombing. So, either the two incidents are not related or the terroristgroup is just taking the p!ss.

Either way, this is going down as one of, if not THE most darkest days here in Norway since WW2.

That's explains a little bit. Surely can't be just a coincidence that two apparently unconnected atrocities happen on the same day?

You will get over this. Hard as it seems right now, you will get over this.

[BassMonstrum]

This is the outside of our rehearsal-room and this is the spot where we have a cigarette-break... if it wasn't for that one cup of coffee or me buying that MXR-pedal I would been standing right there.

[Tituscrow]

Originally Posted by BassMonstrum

This is the outside of our rehearsal-room and this is the spot where we have a cigarette-break... if it wasn't for that one cup of coffee or me buying that MXR-pedal I would been standing right there.

You are one lucky dude.

[fokof]

Originally Posted by BassMonstrum

if it wasn't for that one cup of coffee or me buying that MXR-pedal I would been standing right there.

Hope you've bought it !

.... even two or three !!!!

[L-A]

I heard of it just before noon. Glad to learn you're okay. The explosion looked massive in the few pictures I saw.

[thumpbass1]

I'm glad that you are okay, and events worked in your favor as they did. It would be a very sobering and frightening event to say the least, to be as close to the attack as you were. I'm sorry that your people were targeted by terrorists, whose identity and twisted agenda remain unknown for the moment, though I'm not surprised by the early suspicions being considered in the news link. I offer my condolences to the victims and your nation.

[capnsandwich]

Wow, just read about this. My condolences to those that were affected by this and thank God you went and tried out a pedal.

[MakiSupaStar]

That was a huge bomb. So glad you're ok. Just heard about it on the news

[kesslari]

Wow. Sending prayers for all those affected. Glad you're OK.

[Gopherbassist]

Get that pedal bronzed and buy a second.