MARCH 31st, 2024
INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL
DAY 4

Concert Review: Marius Rafoshei
Photo Gallery: Polina Kulikovskikh
Day 4 Gallery: http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/inferno-festival-2024-day-4/

Day four and in stark contrast to the previous, this was a day where I kept mostly to the smaller stage of John Dee. This is in the basement of the venue, where often smaller or even up and coming offerings are let loose on the audience. We have seen bands starting here and a year or two later come back to play at the main stage of Rockefeller. Not to forget, the smaller stage makes for a more intimate, or shall we say underground, feel.

Dödsrit – John Dee saw the crowd wake on the last day A day where you could feel the crowd being tired, but the attitude and drive still being there. Something Dödsrit really got out of us, firing us up in their show. I don't think I was alone in starting the day with this Swedish-Netherlandish black metal band and their wild ride. We all started out quiet and still, but during the show the applause and headbanging returned.

Then up to Rockefeller for a quick peek at Winterfylleth, not my cup of tea – but clearly a pleaser for several. Delivering catchy tunes, such as “To edge of Tyranny” that truly pulls the crowd along. Winterfylleth – played it safe at Rockefeller today.

I headed down to John Dee to check out the Americans in Bell Witch, that clearly came to show that “extreme“ can be made through an intense, heavy tough droning sound mixed with atmosphere. Maybe not the biggest show more of a rocking journey. Where the slow-paced rhythm invited us on a journey. I lost track of time and surrounding and just bobbed my head along in rhythm. As did we all.

Again, up to check out what was on at Rockefeller - Finntroll had the hall packed. And for many this was really time to let loose and just enjoy the day. During Finntroll, I went for a last sortie around the merch booths at this time, as of course there are various vendors within the festival. Be it band patches, t-shirts, or even info for another festival Midgardsblot – there was a lot and more on offer.

Followed by Koldbrann down at the smaller John Dee stage, that really “loosened up the rock gig”. Giving a lot of songs from the upcoming album, and tunes such as “I Unaturens Vold”, clearly liked by the publicum. As their rather similar colleagues in yesterday’s Khold they too had a bit of a timing issue in being the last band at the smaller stage while it was starting to fill up for the major one of the day at the main stage. Too bad, as Koldbrann really knows how to deliver a punch.

It was nearing the last band of the festival, Rockefeller was filled with tired metalheads, but … The fiddle starts and we wake up: Taake was there. And ready to give a blast of a finisher to Inferno. In a show filled with crowdsurfing, crowdpleasing tunes and a front man in Hoest that had the audience captivated. And before you ask: Yes, the banjo was there. As was singer from Doedsadmiral from Nordjevel for a grand finale, or wait, there was one more old hit parade for the extra super finale as Over Bjørgvin graater Himmelrik was pounded out. It was a show that lasted a good hour, but felt like ten minutes.

Inferno is a Metal Festival that is, and will continue to go strong. Being as we discussed a mainstay of the extreme metal scene. Taking place in Norway, Oslo – with its historical contribution to the evolution of Black Metal and taking place at a time of year when many have time off from work.

A part of me has a feeling that they are either growing too big for the venues or bit off more then they could chew. Seen by the less than packed tattoo convention, the at times very basic scene shows by the various bands and a common running issue with less than stellar sound. Still, this does not detract from the value and great atmosphere. Bringing together fans from all over the world, having headliners who are massive in their respective genres and also finding a spot for smaller and up and coming bands.

For the “blackpacker,” the opportunity to go sightseeing with the Black Metal bus, heading to infamous places as Neseblod – the record shop is in the old Helvete location, and in general having a combo of grim darkness and the socialization offered by the smaller locations is great.

It was maybe not a 10/10 this year for me, but it surely was a highlight of my year, and I am
eager to return. As Inferno truly shines like a black light in the North. Once again, proved itself to be one of the more unique festival experiences.