The setting sun is still strong, but dark clouds lurk on the horizon. It’s Friday the 13th and I’m on my bike crossing Amagerfælled. I’m on my way to meet my friend and photographer Kristian Bust. His message on my phone was short: “I want to find Jason!” Kristian knows almost everyone worth knowing in Copenhagen, and if he says that the murdering monster that spawned a whole array of gory horror films is in town, it’s probably true. But do you really want to find him?

Until recently the bike trail at Amagerfælled actually wouldn’t be a bad place to start looking. Supposedly they’ve locked him up now, but for 23 years these vast commons, which are only a ten-minute bike ride from City Hall, were the hunting grounds of Denmark’s very own psycho killer: The Amager Man. I feel the shadows getting longer and pedal a little faster.
We meet up by the wooden tables outside Harbo Bar on Blågårdsgade in Nørrebro.

“So where is ‘Jason’?” I ask.

“Everywhere,” Kristian replies, but before he has time to elaborate, the dark clouds above let go of a solid shower.

We skip the bar and make for the kiosk by Blågårds Plads. There’s always a dry nook for a street nip in Nørrebro. Groups of people frantically covering their hair and smartphones, while running for shelter from the rain, pass us in the opposite direction. By their tight lips and hard eyes, you know to get out of their way, fast – nothing like a little rain to bring out the inner bastard of civilised society.

Once safely inside the kiosk, Kristian is rung up by a friend. He has just spent a day with a monster. Kristian’s friend recently learned that his ex’s new partner has been molesting his two kids over a period of time. Today the beast got convicted: 60 days in the pen and a 15,000 kroner fine. Outraged we go to the friend’s flat, where he and his girlfriend are trying to digest the outcome.

The stereo is pounding with heavy metal and large shots of schnapps fly across the table.

“I would take a bat and pound his genitals into a bloody pulp; I wouldn’t be able to stop myself,” Kristian says and bites his jaw.

“I felt like that at first,” the friend concurs. “But it’s over. When I saw him in the courtroom today it was obvious. He is completely destroyed. Smashing his kneecaps wouldn’t bring any more suffering to his life, and it definitely wouldn’t bring any more joy into mine. I’ve been down that road. You might think revenge is sweet, but it’s hollow and empty.”

I manage to sneak the lion’s share of my shots into Kristian’s glass, and when we stumble out of the flat a couple of hours later he is looking rather crossed-eyed. With one eyebrow raised and a shaking fist, he is mumbling cusswords at his shoes for walking in opposite directions. Aside from that we’re quiet.

After the conversations in the flat we are both fed up with evil and deem it best to terminate the manhunt for Jason immediately.

Horror, gore and evil are only exciting until they find out where you live.

SondESC anniversary party
Don’t miss the electronic label SondESC throwing its massive anniversary party. For three years now they’ve excelled in bringing great sound to the electronic scene in Denmark.
Kødboderne 18, 1714 Cph V; May 9, 20:00-03:00; tickets: 50kr; more details on Facebook

Mayhem
If you’re into experimental electronic music and want to experience a great atmosphere, you have to go to Mayhem at Ragnhilgade where DJ Scotch Bonnet (Japan), Sensational (US), Koyxe(Japan) and DJ Badun (Den) will rip a hole in the fabric of your being.
Ragnhildgade 1 2100 Cph Ø; Mon 30 April; 20:00-late; tickets: 50kr; www.bolsjefabrikken.com

 

Byens Lys
A must-see location in Copenhagen is Byens Lys (City Lights) deep in the heart of Christiania, an abandoned movie theatre with an amazing ambience. On May 5, Byens Lys will host a great line-up from the world of breezy crisp jazz-electronica, featuring amongst many others Dictaphone from Germany.

Christiania (right behind Cafe Månefiskeren); May 5, 20:00-02:00; tickets: 60kr; more details on Facebook
 

Ever since he was old enough to put dirt in his mouth, Erik B Duckert has been attracted to the ground level and below. The attraction of the underground, he says, is that: “When you’re looking at a city from its gutters, you see both the faeces and the silk.” His favourite sewers are those of Copenhagen and in particular those of Nørrebro and Amager, but any place where trash is tossed and skirts are worn, he will want to rest his eyes and say his piece.