Inferno Festival 2025
Day 3: From the Clinics to the Crowd. Crossing the Threshold of Norway’s Occult Metal Kingdom.
By the time Saturday, April 19 arrived, I was fully settled into the rhythm of Inferno Festival—long days filled with music, art, and history, followed by equally long nights of relentless live performances. Once again, I woke up early, got ready, and headed downstairs for breakfast at Clarion Hotel® The Hub, where the mix of exhausted but exhilarated festivalgoers created a unique morning-after atmosphere. Despite the late-night chaos of 1349's blistering set the night before, I was eager to dive into another packed day of music and experiences.
At 10:30, I headed to one of the most anticipated side events of the entire Inferno program—a special drum clinic with Kerim “Krimh” Lechner, held at The Hub. It was really nice to greet him again after half a year with a warm hug and to watch his incredible clinic. Known for his explosive precision and atmospheric intensity with bands like SepticFlesh, Dååth, and his own solo project KRIMH, Krimh welcomed an intimate group of drummers, musicians, and curious fans into his world. With a separate ticket required to attend, the room quickly filled with eager attendees ready to absorb every blast beat and breakdown of his craft. Krimh walked us through a deep dive into his signature playing style, performing selected songs while deconstructing the techniques behind his dynamic and expressive drumming. He’s incredibly charismatic and friendly, and explained even the nerdiest details of drumming in a way that was engaging and fun. The clinic closed with a vibrant Q&A session, allowing fans to dive deeper into topics like gear preferences, practice routines, and the emotional drive behind his percussive force. It was a rare and rewarding opportunity to learn from one of extreme metal’s most respected drummers.
By the way, I once had the chance to do a video interview with Krimh—and it was genuinely one of the nicest conversations I’ve had with a musician. He’s super down-to-earth, sharp, funny, and full of insight. If you’re into getting to know the minds behind the music, I definitely recommend checking it out here.
After the clinic, I returned once again to the Inferno Art Exhibition—this time with a quieter mind and a slower pace. The second visit brought a deeper sense of connection. What had already impressed me on my first walkthrough now unfolded with greater emotional weight and clarity. With fewer distractions, I let myself linger longer in front of each piece. Gaahl’s haunting visual narratives stirred something introspective, while Seth Siro Anton’s signature dark aesthetic radiated the same epic energy found in his music. Each artwork functioned like a portal—bridging the world of sound and image, and expressing the spirit of metal through powerful visual language. This wasn't just an exhibition—it was a profound reminder of how creativity in this scene thrives far beyond the stage.
Afterward, at 13:00, I made my way to the Hub Bar, where the atmosphere shifted from casual mingling to full-blown metal mayhem with the Inferno Metal Auction—an unmissable annual tradition hosted by Tore Bratseth of Bömbers. I went to check it out and ended up having a lot of fun, especially watching how high some of the bids skyrocketed! Known for his sharp wit and charismatic presence, Tore led a hilarious and highly entertaining session where rare and legendary items from the extreme metal scene were auctioned off to the highest bidders. From obscure demo tapes and vintage vinyl to stage-used and peculiar artifacts, every item came with its own story, sparking laughter, awe, and fierce bidding wars. Even attendees had the chance to contribute collectibles to the lineup, adding to the unique, community-driven spirit of the event. Open to all, the auction was both a celebration of underground history and a reminder of just how gloriously weird and wonderful the metal world can be.
Next, The Hub became the epicenter of guitar worship with the ESP Guitar Clinic at 14:00—an exclusive session featuring none other than Nergal, Orion, and Seth of Behemoth. This unique workshop drew a crowd of guitarists, gearheads, and die-hard fans eager to witness the trio break down the ferocious sound of Behemoth from the inside out. In an intimate setting, they performed select tracks, dissected their playing techniques, and walked everyone through their signature ESP guitar and bass setups with precision and passion. The session culminated in a Q&A where attendees had the chance to interact directly with the band, gaining rare insight into their creative process. Finally, I could make use of my conference pass after not being able to attend yesterday.
What made the clinic even more special was Nergal's generosity afterward—he stayed to greet every fan who wanted to come over, taking a little time to chat, snap pictures, and sign anything people brought. Of course, I stayed too! I greeted him, got a photo with him, and even dared to hand him one of my business cards, asking him to check out my personal artistic work. It took me some real courage to do that—my heart was racing—but I’m glad I did!
Simultaneously, over at Goldie, something entirely unexpected—and utterly fabulous—was unfolding at 14:30: the First Annual Inferno Metal Fashion Show. Hosted by none other than Admira Thunderpussy, winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Sweden, the event blended the raw energy of extreme metal with the bold creativity of runway fashion. This one-of-a-kind show featured designs from an eclectic mix of metal-inspired fashion creators, who brought spikes, leather, corpse paint, and avant-garde flair to the catwalk. But it wasn’t just about watching—it was about participation. Festivalgoers were invited to sign up and strut their own styles, showcasing what makes the metal community one of the most visually distinct and expressive in the world.
After wrapping up at The Hub, it was time to shift back into full festival mode. The day's lineup was stacked, and I found myself back at Rockefeller just in time for Coven at 16:30. The legendary occult rock pioneers delivered a mesmerizing set, their ritualistic presence setting the stage for an evening filled with darkness and intensity.
Following their performance, I headed downstairs to John Dee to catch Schwein— German for both "pig" and "pork". They kicked off their set in a rather unexpected way by playing the U.S. national anthem. I didn’t quite understand the context behind it, and unfortunately, I couldn’t hear the vocalist’s voice properly during the songs, likely due to a technical issue. I only stayed for a few tracks before heading back upstairs to Rockefeller. There, I took some time to greet familiar faces I’d met over the past few days and capture a few more video clips of attendees.
Next up was Cadaver at 18:00, with none other than Anders Odden—who, just a day earlier, had been steering me through Oslo’s black metal history on the Black Metal Bus Sightseeing Tour yesterday. Watching him now command the stage with a ferocious set of raw and filthy death metal, considered to be one of the pioneers of Norwegian metal, felt like a striking transformation, and a perfect example of the deep-rooted ties between Inferno and the very artists who helped forge its legacy.
Right after Cadaver, I made my way downstairs once again—which by now felt like a full-on athletic routine of climbing up and down the venue’s stairs. I have to admit, my entire body is starting to ache, between the fatigue from previous days and hauling my heavy camera gear around from morning till night. But I didn’t want to miss Angist, a crushing death metal band originally from Iceland known for their bleak, emotionally intense sound and powerful stage presence. Fronted by the fierce Edda Tegeder Óskarsdóttir, they bring an unmistakable blend of heaviness and despair that hits you straight in the chest.
By 19:30, the energy surged with Aura Noir, one of Norway’s most iconic black/thrash acts. Their raw, punk-infused aggression was a stark contrast to the more atmospheric and ritualistic performances earlier in the day, injecting a dose of unfiltered chaos into the night.
After their set, I went downstairs once again to John Dee to catch Abyssic. I had never heard of them before, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect—but I was genuinely surprised in the best possible way. Abyssic blends elements of death and doom metal with symphonic and orchestral layers, creating a cinematic, almost gothic soundscape that felt both massive and hauntingly beautiful. Their use of real string instruments on stage added an unusual and captivating depth to their performance. A great unexpected discovery.
Then came one of the weekend’s most highly anticipated acts—Rotting Christ, hitting the stage at 21:15. From the moment they launched into their set, it was clear that this was going to be something special. The band’s signature fusion of black metal with deep Hellenic mysticism created an atmosphere unlike any other. As their thunderous riffs reverberated through the venue, the crowd seemed to enter a collective trance, moving in sync with the pounding rhythms and chanting along to every song. The energy inside Rockefeller was electric, a perfect storm of intensity and ritualistic power. With each song, Rotting Christ didn’t just play for their fans—they invited everyone in the room to become part of something much bigger, a shared experience where the lines between the band and the audience blurred. It was an awe-inspiring, almost hypnotic performance, and easily one of the most captivating moments of the entire festival, leaving the audience in a state of reverence long after the final note had been struck.
After Rotting Christ, I went downstairs for the last time today at 22:30 to catch Seth, a French black metal band whose dark, cinematic sound provided a chilling contrast to the more straightforward aggression of the night’s other performances. I had first seen them last year as the opening act for Rotting Christ, where I met the vocalist during soundcheck. Despite feeling unwell that day, he was very friendly and welcoming. Their set felt immersive and theatrical, offering a different kind of intensity before the grand finale of the night.
That finale, of course, was none other than Satyricon, taking the stage at 23:30 in what was undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the entire festival. As one of Norway’s most iconic and pioneering black metal bands, their presence carried the weight of their monumental influence—and they delivered with the gravitas only Satyricon can bring. The energy inside Rockefeller shifted. A crackling tension filled the air, the kind that only decades of artistry and defiance can summon. The venue was so packed with people that you could barely move, and the sheer intensity of the crowd made it feel kind of stressful. Unfortunately, I couldn’t enjoy the show as much as I would have loved to because of the immense crowd and the exhaustion from the long day.
Throughout the day, fans had the exciting opportunity to meet some of the festival’s most iconic bands during the signing sessions. At 18:00, Rotting Christ fans gathered eagerly, hoping for a chance to meet the legendary Greek black metal band and get memorabilia signed. I went to say hello to the singer Sakis after working together last fall, doing a photo session in Madrid (see here). By 19:00, the crowd shifted to meet the pioneers of Norwegian death metal, Cadaver, who had just delivered an intense performance earlier in the day. At 20:00, Seth, the French black metal outfit known for their dark, atmospheric sound, took their turn meeting fans and signing autographs. The final session of the evening, at 21:30, featured Abyssic, offering fans a chance to connect with the Norwegian death doom band and get a piece of the band’s haunting legacy. It was also the last signing session of the festival, marking a perfect conclusion to the event’s intimate fan experiences. These signing sessions added a personal touch to the festival, allowing fans to interact with the musicians behind the music that defined the weekend’s experience.
By the end of the night, exhaustion had firmly set in, but alongside it came a bittersweet realization: Inferno Festival 2025 was rapidly drawing to a close. The energy of the day, from the powerful performances to the captivating art and discussions, had left me with a sense of fulfillment, yet also an underlying sadness that it was all winding down. With only one more day left, I knew that Sunday would be my last chance to fully absorb everything this incredible event had to offer. Instead of heading to the Hub Bar, I made my way straight to my room, seeking a break from the noise. The silence in my space felt like a rare moment of peace, the perfect environment to reflect and gather my thoughts. It was time to unwind and put "pen to paper", writing down this review with everything I had experienced, capturing the essence of the festival before it faded away. I allowed myself this quiet moment, appreciating the unique memories I’d made and eagerly anticipating the final day of this unforgettable journey.
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