Inferno Festival 2025
Day 2: From Dark History to Sonic Devastation. Entering the Sacred Halls of Norway’s Black Metal Realm.
After an intense first night at Inferno Festival, I woke up on Friday, April 18, ready to fully immerse myself in my first full day in Oslo. The morning started off calmly—I got ready and headed down for breakfast at Clarion Hotel® The Hub, where festival attendees gathered, sharing stories of the previous night’s performances. There, I experienced the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever had—a generous and beautifully arranged spread that included plenty of vegan options, yoghurts, breads, fresh fruit, and more. Even better, it was all included in the room price. It was a comforting and energizing way to start the day.
The first stop of the day was the Inferno Art Exhibition, held in the festival’s main hotel, the one I was staying at. A staple of the event, this exhibition showcased striking and thought-provoking works from some of the most renowned artists in the metal and dark art scenes. The lineup included Anders Røkkum, David Thiérrée, Elias Forberg, Kristian "Gaahl" Espedal, Seth Siro Anton, among others. Taking a quiet moment to absorb the eerie and intricate artworks felt like the perfect way to start the day—a moment of artistic reflection before diving into the chaos of black metal history. Although the exhibition was rich with talent and vision, it was also marked by the notable absence of Nattefrost, who had previously been announced as one of the featured artists. Due to other pressing commitments, he had to step back this year—a decision that was fully understood and respectfully received by the organizers. Nattefrost remains an iconic and deeply influential figure in the scene. Still, the gates of hell at the Inferno Art Exhibition stood wide open—welcoming all who dared to enter a world where music, myth, and darkness meet on canvas.
By 11:30, it was time for something I had been looking forward to: the Black Metal Bus Sightseeing Tour. Led by the legendary Anders Odden (Cadaver, Celtic Frost, Order), the tour departed at 12:00, taking us through some of the most important and symbolic locations in Norwegian black metal history. From Langhus Station and Ski Cemetery to the iconic Neseblod Records—better known as "Helvete"—and the haunting Holmenkollen Chapel, the journey offered not just a historical overview, but a deeply personal and emotional perspective from someone who had lived through those pivotal moments. Anders shared countless firsthand insights, some lighthearted, others deeply reflective, making the experience all the more powerful. You could genuinely feel his connection to the places and stories—at times, it was even moving to witness. It’s a tour I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone, whether you're a black metal devotee or simply curious about the roots of a genre that reshaped extreme music forever. I also managed to squeeze in a very quick portrait session with Anders when we stopped at Holmenkollen Chapel.
The only downside was that by taking part in the tour, I unfortunately missed out on the quirky Drag Music Bingo at 14:00 at the Hub Bar—a fun fusion of a music quiz and bingo, where participants had to guess the song playing and cross off the corresponding number on their card. Hosted by drag king Erik Sjon, it offered a chance to test your metal knowledge while enjoying a bit of light-hearted competition and prizes. I also missed a few opening shows at the smaller venues (Dattera til Hagen, Vaterland, Brewgata, and Goldie), which are always great for catching more underground acts in an intimate setting. Another event I was truly sorry to miss was the Metalheads Against Bullying (NO) conference by Leif Munkelien at 13:00, also at the Hub Bar. This Norwegian-born, globally recognized organization works to raise awareness about the long-term effects of bullying, especially within the metal and rock community—where so many of us have experienced exclusion or mistreatment simply for being different. Their mission to empower people of all ages to prevent and address bullying is deeply important, and their presence at Inferno was a strong reminder that the scene stands for solidarity, not judgment. Ironically, I discovered only after the fact that I actually had a conference pass, but by then, the tour was already locked into my plans. Still, the depth and intensity of the Black Metal Bus Tour made it an unforgettable highlight of the day.
After the tour, it was time to switch gears—from historical landmarks to pure sonic devastation. I was particularly excited to see Gaerea again at Rockefeller, having first caught them years ago when they weren’t as well-known, and seeing how far they’ve come since then. At 16:30, they took the stage, delivering a hauntingly intense performance, their faceless aesthetic amplifying the eerie atmosphere.
Before the next act on the main stage, I made a quick detour downstairs to John Dee to catch Rosa Faenskap at 17:15, a fierce and furious act from Norway that fuses black metal, post-rock and hardcore punk with progressive and shoegaze elements.
Then, at 18:00, Blood Incantation took over, filling the venue with their signature cosmic death metal. Their set was a masterclass in contrasts—monolithic heaviness fused with swirling, atmospheric passages that felt like floating through space just before being crushed by a meteor. I genuinely enjoyed their show; it was hypnotic and brutal in equal measure, drawing the crowd into a strange and beautiful abyss where time and gravity seemed to collapse under the weight of their sound.
After Blood Incantation’s mind-bending set, I headed back down to John Dee at 18:45 to discover a band I hadn’t seen listened before: Ponte Del Diavolo. With a captivating female vocalist at the helm, this Italian band blended elements of post-metal, doom, and gothic ambiance into a slow-burning, emotionally charged performance. Their music felt ritualistic—dark, melodic, and hypnotic—with vocals that ranged from haunting whispers to spine-chilling screams. It was one of those unexpected discoveries that make festivals like Inferno so rewarding.
After their set, I stepped outside for a quick break and some fresh air. The light was still lingering above the Oslo skyline. I used the moment to film a few festivalgoers who were kind enough to appear in my upcoming video about people at Inferno—some dressed in full corpse paint, others in band patches and warm smiles, all sharing that unique metal camaraderie.
Recharged, I returned to Rockefeller to catch Kylesa at 19:30. Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, their sound is thick and groove-laden, laced with raw vocals and hazy melodies that stretch the boundaries of heaviness. Seeing them live brought a dense, almost meditative energy—equal parts crushing and trippy—that added yet another flavor to the evening’s ever-shifting sonic landscape.
After Kylesa’s thunderous set, I made my way back down to John Dee once more before the highly anticipated SepticFlesh show. At 20:30, it was time for Non Est Deus, a German black metal project.Their performance was raw and intense, channeling a furious yet focused energy that fused traditional black metal with philosophical and theological themes. Despite the small venue, the atmosphere was absolutely suffocating—in the best way. Blistering blast beats, relentless riffs, and commanding vocals created a wall of sound that felt both punishing and cerebral. It was a powerful set that lingered in the mind long after the final note.
I also swung by the Tattoo Fair, featuring world-class tattoo artists like Mark Weatherhead, Fabio Branco, Carlos Aguilar, and Sefi Blood, among others. It was an unique opportunity for festival-goers to get exceptional body art, with many artists showcasing their unique styles. Almost every tattooist was actively working when I passed by, their stations buzzing with machines, focused expressions, and the hum of creativity being permanently inked into skin—an impressive display of dedication and artistry right in the heart of the festival.
Then came SepticFlesh at 21:15, unleashing their signature symphonic brutality. With a mesmerizing blend of orchestral arrangements and blackened death metal, they delivered a theatrical, bombastic assault on the senses that had the entire venue in awe. The intensity of their performance, combined with the grandeur of their symphonic elements, created an overwhelming sonic experience that left no one standing still. Every crushing riff was amplified by the weight of the orchestra, while the band’s commanding presence on stage made it impossible for the audience to do anything but be swept up in the chaos. It was a perfect marriage of symphonic grandeur and raw, brutal power, ensuring that their set was one of the most unforgettable of the night. It was great to see them again after working together last fall on a photo session in Madrid. I had an awesome time shooting them (see here).
For the last time tonight, I made my way back down to John Dee at 22:30 to catch Aeternus. Hailing from Bergen, this long-running band has been a pillar of the Norwegian scene since the early ’90s, known for their unique blend of black and death metal often referred to as "dark metal". Their sound is heavy, atmospheric, and rooted in a primal energy that resonates deeply with fans of the genre. The performance was intense and immersive, filled with pounding rhythms and grim melodies that echoed like ancient war chants—an appropriately raw and powerful close to my night downstairs.
And finally, closing out the night in true Norwegian style, 1349 took over Rockefeller at 23:30, unleashing a merciless storm of raw, ice-cold black metal that sent shockwaves through the venue. From the moment they hit the stage, their relentless aggression and blistering pace left no room for breath. Every note felt like a hammer strike, and the frigid atmosphere of their music consumed the room. Their performance was a true testament to the unyielding spirit of Norwegian black metal, with each track intensifying the savage energy that only a band like 1349 could deliver. It was the perfect, unapologetic finale to a day that had begun with history, art, and reflection, and ended in total sonic annihilation—leaving the audience in a state of blissful exhaustion, fully immersed in the chaos they had just witnessed.
With my ears still ringing and exhaustion creeping in, I made my way back to The Hub, retracing the same steps as the night before. After leaving my camera equipment in my room; I went straight down to the Hub Bar, where the sounds of Heavy Metal Barpiano set the tone for a moment of relaxation. The piano covers of metal hits were the perfect contrast to the intensity of the day. As I sat down to write this review, I reflected on the overwhelming energy of the festival, knowing that the madness was far from over. I recharged my spirit as best as I could, gearing up for whatever Inferno’s third day had in store.
Before I finish this review for today, I’d like to highlight the variety of conferences that took place throughout the day and the day before as part of the festival’s Inferno Music Conference. Access to these talks required a separate IMC ticket, distinct from the concert pass, and they brought together music industry professionals, artists, and media for insightful discussions and networking opportunities. These sessions ensured that Inferno wasn’t just a gathering for fans, but also a meaningful hub for those working behind the scenes, contributing to the heartbeat of the metal community. Among the standout sessions were the "Portrait Workshop" with photographer Jeremy Saffer or "Career Talk" with Kim Diaz Holm and Ravn of 1349. Other topics such as "How To Build a Fanbase in a Digital World", "Women in Live Music", "Bridging the Gap for the Next Generation", "Metal in Mainstream", "Black is the New Black" about Fashion in Metal and "The Future of the Industry: USA and Canada Touring and Tariffs" offered valuable insights and sparked vital conversations about where the industry stands and where it’s headed.
Also, this year marked the debut of the official Inferno Delegate Bar, a welcome addition to the festival’s ever-evolving experience. Located right next door to Rockefeller at Goldie, the bar was open exclusively to delegates yesterday and today, offering a relaxed yet vibrant space to meet panelists, schedule meetings, answer emails, or simply recharge between sets. While the festival hotel isn’t far, the convenience of Goldie made it the perfect spot to reconnect or retreat without missing a beat. Upstairs served as the delegate-only lounge, while downstairs, Goldie Club hosted bands featured in the official Inferno program.
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