Hellbellies are among Norway's most popular recording artists. As of 2012, they have released 13 albums—including a compilation and two live albums—as well as three live concert DVDs. Their lyrics are written and sung in the dialect of the Hallingdal area of Norway, and there is evidence of influence from traditional (folk) Norwegian music, giving a distinctive "Norwegian" flavor to their country music. Their early albums often included songs originally recorded by country music artists from the US with Hellbillies writing new lyrics in the Ål dialect of Norwegian, with the settings of the lyrics differing sharply from the source songs. Examples include
Ei krasafaren steinbu (
Past the Point of Rescue by
Hal Ketchum) and
Pela stein (
Against the Grain by
Garth Brooks). Later efforts have included much more original material that reflect contemporary Norwegian people and Norwegian life and issues. They have also gradually changed their musical style from country to rock. They have collaborated with musicians from the US. For example,
Rob Hajacos from
Nashville, who plays the
fiddle on most
Garth Brooks albums, Rob plays on three of Hellbillies’ albums. In 2013 Hellbillies appeared at the
Kongsberg Jazz Festival performing together with Jazz guests the Violin virtuoso
Ola Kvernberg and the super trumpeter
Mathias Eick. In 2013 they also contributed to the book
Think Like a Rockstar (
Tenk som en rockestjerne, written by
Ståle Økland. == Band members ==