MARCH 30th, 2024
INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL
DAY 3

Concert Review: Marius Rafoshei
Photo Gallery: Polina Kulikovskikh
Day 3 Gallery: http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/inferno-festival-2024-day-3/

Day three of the Inferno Festival was about to begin. I must admit I was a bit tired – and I had taken advantage of Oslo for some sightseeing, however,  I quickly got back in the groove during the first hour or so. It truly is transformative, and for me a special part of the festival. How one can go around and enjoy the many sights of Oslo the city has to offer. Then as soon as you enter the venue with it’s rather distinct layout you transform into part of the extreme metal bubble.

Saor gave me a nice start to the day with blast beats and bagpipes. One of those bands where you either like it or not, I sadly fall into the latter category – but thanks to friends and aquaintances that enjoy their music I was able to discern more than the objective facts. Namely that the show was good, gave what the fans wanted and produced the mood that was wished for by the fans.

Orbit Culture was next, and I quickly wrote down in my notes; “there were cool lights” as someone had invested in a futuristic light setup around their gear. Not only did it mark out the band, but they also truly added to the harsh and cold – somewhat futuristic atmosphere that was perfect for this live act. A gig that started out well, and it only kept getting better, with a mood that was continuing to rise throughout as the band delivered a triumphant showing of proper Swedish melodic death metal, creating new fans and making the ones who already were in the audience headbang along.

At this point I took another walk around the tattoo-area, as mentioned there is more to Inferno than the music. My travel companions and I were all captivated by the art and culture on display. Prominent tattoo artists from around the Nordics gathered, it was hard to keep away from the needle for a few of us. Also, the live drawing sessions by Den Unge Herr Holm, well known for his artistry was a worthwhile distraction.

Me and That Man – Satan with his Blues came to Rockefeller. Yes, I kept around the main stage so far on this day as well, Me and That Man were next to go.  As Adam "Nergal" Darski said halfway into the show: "Still not sure what this band is doing here. But we're doing our best"  and the best they gave. Even making a saxophone hit harder than the blast beats of yesterdays. Clearly more extreme metal legends would be happy to join in on this sort of side project. Seeing  Jørgen Munkeby from Shining (Nor) blast the mentioned saxophone harder than several death metal bands do their drums, well – it was something.

It is clear I loved it in my text, the show was energetic and captivating and for the objective critic in me, and not the fanboy, it was clear to see the link between the more gothic country and blues and the extreme metal. Again, to quote the band: “Sing about death in a more cheerful way”. On top of it all, they kept on dragging out idols such as Sivert Høyem and delivering a kick ass performance. From Burning Churches to covering Madrugada's “Look away Lucifer” – a dream of Nergal.

I finally broke my spell, and went down to catch Khold at John Dee, and am I happy I did. This black metal, or shall we say “rock’n black” band delivered an energetic and fun show. Filled with audience interaction. Best portrayed in their reaction to someone shouting the typical joke; “Play some Credence” and getting the start of a song played back.

Sadly, as they said: “Vi er Khold og vi har dårlig tid... “meaning: "We are Khold and we're in a hurry... " as they had to compete with the need for people to stake out a spot for the headliner of the day and festival. Still, they kept on. Blasting through the show with full energy and thank you to whomever took it on themselves to blow soap bubbles. It just added to the intimate atmosphere swinging between rotten blackmetal to a fun rock’n roll day.


Dimmu Borgir was the main attraction of the day, and headliner of the festival. With a hall filled with old fans and eager newcomers it could only end well. Where they celebrated their 30th anniversary with pulling out old band members to the stage, Mustis, ICS Vortex, and Tjodalv. A treat for us that has known the band for a long time. Having been a band enjoying immense popularity over the career they had a tracklist and track record to pull from. I think the summary of their show was “enjoyable”. This is the best way of summarizing, as instead of going into the flames and goat scull the best to convey Dimmu Borgir is that it was enjoyable. A show of old veterans of the more popular black metal pulling out a plethora of tricks and know how.