Live Review : Inferno Metal Festival @ Brewgata, Vaterland, Rockefeller, John Dee in Oslo, Norway on April 19th 2025

Saturday afternoon began with the Metal Auction in the hotel bar, with several tempting items, not least a first pressing of Satyricon’s “The Shadowthrone”, before heading to Rockefeller for the opening band of the day at the main venue. Coven took to a stage adorned with numerous candles and candelabras, with vocalist Jinx Dawson emerging from an upright coffin. The stage was bathed in sultry red light as the group delivered their psychedelic doom laden rock exploring themes of Satanism and witchcraft in front of a screen projecting related images. The crowd was relatively modest at this point in the day, but the devotees at the front screamed every word back at the band until the set was brought to a close with ‘Epitaph’ and ‘Blood on the Snow’.

There was a complete change in atmosphere downstairs in John Dee for Schwein, led by the enigmatic Svein Solberg, who may be better known for his other bands including Russian Amcar Club, Kaare & Partiet, Ym:stammen, and Schweinhund, as well as his work behind the scenes in the music industry. However, today he was front and centre and fully in the spotlight. Looking dapper in a suit, and stood behind a lectern, Schwein looked every part the preacher, commanding his congregation as tracks such as ‘Metan’ and ‘Terror in Bergen’ rang out. The music was industrial tinged black metal, perhaps even with a hint of drone evident at some points. Those that were already Schwein-ees absolutely loved it, while those those who were curious onlookers were soon converted. 

Having been around for 35 years, the next band needed no introduction, and there was a loud roar when Cadaver took to the stage. The band have a rich legacy and although they may not have the fame (should that be infamy?) of many of their peers, there is no doubting their importance in the evolution of the early Norwegian extreme metal scene. As such, every time they play live there is an air of excitement and anticipation, and today was no exception. 

Even though the double bass player was an imposing figure with a scythe atop his instrument, the enigmatic Anders Odden was the focal point as the band visited most of their back catalogue, and even tracks from the early nineties sounded as fresh and relevant as when they were recorded. The gnarly, nasty old school Norwegian death metal rumbled around the venue with the crowd lapping it up. Anders was in good humour bantering with the crowd as he introduced songs, although things took a bit more of a serious turn when he gave a shout out to Jan-Martin Jensen (Inferno founder who tragically recently died of cancer) and also noted that he himself was a cancer survivor, before introducing ‘Mr. Tumor's Misery’, stating that this had been written when they were much younger and didn’t know any better. Fittingly the set was closed with a rousing ‘D.G.A.F.’, and as this was drawing to a close I quickly made my way downstairs to get a spot for the next band. 

The room was full by the time I arrived, but I squeezed in looking forward to Iceland’s Angist, and their Norwegian debut. Vocalist Edda Tegeder Óskarsdóttir was the focal point as her harsh growls resonated around the packed room. The crowd enthusiastically lapped up the blackened death metal, as the band unleashed a couple of tracks from the “Circle of Suffering” EP as well as a few that I think are yet to be released (but may be wrong). Either way this was a controlled display of punishing death metal that was thoroughly enjoyed by those who had managed to get into the room. 

As the final bars of Angist were still ringing around John Dee, Aura Noir opened their assault on Rockefeller with ‘Black Thrash Attack’ and ‘Sulphur Void’. The venue was absolutely rammed as the Norwegians ploughed through one pummelling dirty black thrash slice after another, with the crowd starting to move at the front. Towards the end of the set, there was a brief pause to give a shout out to those who have passed with a few of particular importance to the band being named, before launching into ‘Shades Ablaze’. There was little respite until ‘Condor’ came to a close, leaving the room wanting more, but there was not time to waste as one of my “must see” bands were about to play downstairs.

Norway’s Abyssic have been around for a long time in one form or another, but this was my first chance to catch them live. The group members have a rich pedigree including Susperia, Borknagar, Dimmu Borgir, Old Man’s Child and Asagraum on their respective CV’s, and this shone through in a very polished performance. The upright bass in the centre of the stage drew the eyes as the band delivered a masterclass in symphonic death/doom starting with ‘Funeral Elegy’. The atmosphere was as mesmerising as it was oppressive as the tomes floated around John Dee, pulling in hints of black metal and even hints of prog with the complex sound. The crowd were entranced by this performance and the long wait to experience this had been worth it - I just hope I don’t have to wait as long again. 

Once again, the band taking to the main stage needed no introduction, with fourteen albums under their belt and an enviable reputation for stunning live shows, Rotting Christ pulled one of the biggest crowds of the festival. This not only made for an uncomfortable experience in the crowd, but also spoke volumes about how highly regarded the Greeks are within the extreme metal world. The mighty ‘ΧΞΣ’ sounded immense, as did ‘Fire, God and Fear’ with the distinctive Hellenic black metal rhythms galloping around the venue. ‘King of a Stellar War’ has never sounded better and the inevitable, but essential, ‘Non Serviam’ sounded huge. The band looked genuinely humbled by the crowd response including surfers and a wall of death, both of which are unusual in Norway. Surely these will be returning as headliners before long?

Another of my “must see” bands, Seth, followed in John Dee. Taking to the stage complete with heads on spikes, and with the vocalist looking resplendent in his trademark bright red cloak the band opened with ‘Paris des Maléfices’ and it was clear this was going to be special. The music was pulverising but also had a streak of epic melody at its core. Every head was banging in the venue as they ran through their set. A short ‘Intermede’ came mid set before the barrage continued with ‘Et Que Vive Le Diable!’ and did not let up until ‘Le Triomphe de Lucifer’ came to a close. The long wait had been worth the wait but there was no time for reflection as the day’s headliners were about to begin. 

Satyricon surely need no introduction having been at the forefront of Norwegian black metal for 30 years, often carving their own path rather than bowing down to trends. They have a flawless back catalogue of albums and as they are currently on tour with Rotting Christ and Behemoth as part of the Unholy Trinity tour, I was expecting them to be sharp and polished. Opening with ‘Now, Diabolical’, ‘Repined Bastard Nation’ and ‘Black Crow on a Tombstone’ which was absolutely monumental. Satyr cut an imposing figure behind his shaped microphone stand, as he led his troops and orchestrated the jam packed crowd. ‘Hvite Krists Død’ and ‘Filthgrinder’ were mid set highlights as was ‘To The Mountains’ which came later. However, the real highlight was yet to come. Prior to the set, there had been rumours of a guest artist, and these proved to be true as Sivert Høyem was introduced to the stage. Although he may be best known as the vocalist of Madrugada, within the four walls of Inferno he is better known as the guest vocalist on the Satyricon track ‘Phoenix’. This is absolutely stunning on album, and I had given up hope of ever hearing it live, let alone with Sivert singing, but here it was, unfolding on the stage a few feet in front of me and it did not disappoint. The track sounded powerful and Sivert’s vocals were stunning. This was followed by a massive rendition of ‘Mother North’. In my notes I have written “best black metal track ever?”. Perhaps I was caught up in the moment, but it surely ranks up there with the best. The set could have ended there, but instead we were given a final blast in the form of ‘K.I.N.G.’. This was one of the best headline sets I’ve seen at Inferno in thirteen years of attending, and left a happy crowd to file out into the rainy Oslo night. 

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Satyricon + Seth + Rotting Christ + Abyssic + Aura Noir + Angist + Cadaver + Schwein + Coven