The best idea for any black and death metal fan at Easter is to go to Oslo for Inferno Festival. Since 2001, annually during Easter, the festival takes place at Rockefeller & John Dee in Oslo. Oslo turns into a metal capital, which attracts fans from all over the world. The atmosphere is strengthened by nearby metal bars such as Kniven, film screenings on Vega scene (this year attendees could see The Northman and X), tattoo artists working during the festival, and signing sessions with bands. The festival did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but it returned in full force this year, over April 14th-17th, and it was sold out. Every year at the festival, we can see iconic Norwegian black metal bands, but also doom, thrash, and death metal bands from abroad.
On the last day, attendees could see, among others, TAAKE, KREATOR, MYRKSKOG, and NYRST. NYRST, an Icelandic black metal band, turned out to be a positive surprise for me as I saw them live for the first time. Their show looked peculiar and songs like “Nástirni” from their first long-play, “Orsök,” sound just as good as on the album. KREATOR started with fire and “Violent Revolution,” followed by a song from the upcoming album, “Hate Über Alles.” The crowd could also hear such classics as “Flag of Hate,” “Endless Pain,” and “Pleasure to Kill.” TAAKE came as the closing act. They put on an amazing show, as usual, playing “Nordbundet,” “Fra Vadested Til Vaandesmed,” and other classics. The host’s stage expression was unique and his statements, such as “Praise Jesus!,” add a little absurdity to the show (which the crowd loved).
Inferno truly has the best selection of bands and a wonderfully unique atmosphere, which only makes us start counting down to next year’s festival.
Photos by Aleksandra Majak
