Conan O’Brien Gets a “Hernia” While Performing With Austrian Metal Band

When one thinks of Conan O’Brien, one usually doesn’t think of an extreme metal band or even music in general. However, O’Brien appears to be broadening his horizons. Maybe the former Tonight Show host will take up a singing (or screeching) career soon?

Videos by American Songwriter

Conan O’Brien recently teamed up with Austrian metal band Cringe Blizzard while filming the newest season of his travel series, Conan O’Brien Must Go. Specifically, he fronted the band on December 5 for a live show in Feldkirch, Austria.

O’Brien is no stranger to the band, too. Cringe Blizzard frontwoman Katharina had previously appeared on O’Brien’s podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend. The Austrian metal icon invited O’Brien to come to Austria so she could give him metal-screaming lessons on the podcast, and it looks like he took her up on her offer.

The performance was filmed by a local news station in Austria, and you can watch the footage below:

Who is Cringe Blizzard?

Cringe Blizzard is an Austrian metal band that doesn’t usually feature Conan O’Brien in its lineup but does feature a lineup of talented musicians in the “slush” metal genre. The band describes themselves as “fresh and icy slush metal” from Austria.

We have to give O’Brien a hand for challenging himself by fronting the band, albeit temporarily. He really held his own on stage and let a few killer screams out without hesitation.

O’Brien later took to Instagram to post a photo of the set with the caption “Just got a hernia singing with a metal band in Feldkirch, Austria.” As O’Brien lets out a particularly vicious scream, the band’s drummer can be seen in the background laughing. Likewise, Cringe Blizzard posted a few shots from the performance on Instagram as well and thanked O’Brien for performing with them.

“This was the best and only day of true happiness for our vocalist, kaddl [Katharina],” the caption of the post reads. “In this very location, she celebrated her wedding and barely cried as much as she did tonight!! Thank you all for coming, and keep crankin’ up da Cringe, duuuude”

While Conan O’Brien’s metal band career may not take off anytime soon, he does have a pretty hefty performance on the horizon. O’Brien will host the 2025 97th Academy Awards on March 2 next year at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Photo via Cringe Blizzard’s Instagram page

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.