Inferno Magazine 2008

ROCKEFELLER/JOHN DEE, OSLO – 19-22. MARCH 2008 THE OFFICIAL FESTIVAL MAGAZINE

HOMECOMING KINGS

SATYRICON NORDIC ALLIANCE

DESTRUCTION TULUS 1349 UGLY ENOUGH

KEEPERS OF THE BLACK FAITH

OSLOGUIDE – INFERNO MUSIC CONFERENCE – INFERNO METAL EXPO

INDIE ANBEFALER

MESHUGGAH

SAHG

Nuclear Blast

Regain Records

De svenske gudene av progressiv teknisk ekstrem metal er tilbake med deres mest modne og uten tvil beste album hittil.

Ute 10. mars.

Endelig er Sahg klare med den etterlengtede oppfølgeren til deres suksess debutalbum fra 2006.

Ute 17. mars.

obZen

IN FLAMES

A Sense Of Purpose Nuclear Blast

In Flames er tilbake!

Dette er et fantastisk album som vil gjøre de til et av de aller største metal bandene gjennom tidene.

Få de med deg live på Hove i sommer.

Ute 7. april.

II

TRINACRIA 7UDYHO 1RZ -RXUQH\ ,QÀQLWO\ Indie Recordings

Trinacria er mørkt, vakkert og suggererende. Med medlemmer fra det beste innen ekstremmetal og støy (Enslaved, Fe-mail, Emmerhoff...), går resultatet langt utover summen av medlemmene.

Ute 14. april.

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ell, now we've done it. Expanded the Inferno festival.

Not by moving it to a bigger venue – but by adding a fourth day. We know you thought it was exhausting to spend three full days at Inferno, so in the true spirit of evil we thought you'd enjoy another day of music, mingling, eating and drinking. This year, besides the addition of the 'club' day, we also have one venue exclusively for the youngsters – ever since we had to set the age limit to 18 (all because of the zoning regulations due to serving alcohol in the venue) we have had to turn down too many young metal fans, so we are thrilled to be able to at least offer them a taste of years to come by having an all ages show featuring 4 of the bands that will also play the 'main' festival.

W

he Inferno Music Conference also turned out to be a very welcome addition to the festival – press, musicians, label representatives, photographers; they all meet up for some socializing and input. For the audience the Inferno Metal Expo can offer signing sessions, instrument clinics, gaming (who can forget last year's guitar hero extravaganza?), shopping etc. in the hours before the festival gates open. All in all, most of the inner city of Oslo is about metal. About Inferno. About you.

T

nce again – for the eight time – we welcome you and hope you all enjoy the festival, and that you come back to see us again sometime.

O

Evil, but still respectful, greetings, Gro Narvestad

FOUR DAYS OF BLISS INFERNO MAGAZINE 2008 Editor: Gro Narvestad Writers: Gunnar Sauermann, Anders Odden, Gro Narvestad, Torje Norén Inferno live photos: Wenche Snoen. IMX photos: Viktor Jæger.

Cover photo (Satyricon): Per Heimly IMC photo (Gaahl): Peter Beste Inferno logos and illustrations, magazine layout: Asgeir Mickelson at MultiMono (www.multimo.no) Advertising: Torje Norén, Melanie Arends, Katrine Skorupska at turbine agency Distribution: turbine agency (www.turbine.no) + Scream Magazine (www.screammagazine.com) Print: Stens Trykkeri (www.stenstrykkeri.no) Publisher: Inferno Metal Festival AS (www.infernofestival.net) Horns go out to: All the bands that have played, will play and should've played at Inferno, Gunnar Sauermann, Wenche Snoen, Gunnar Sauermann, our amazing volunteers, Totto, Gunnar Sauermann, the fantastic metalheads who every year come to join our party, the german (AKA Gunnar Sauermann), our partners and staff and……… who else………….. yes, SATAN!

Official Festival Hotel

www.metal-hammer.de

www.metalhammer.co.uk

www.mtve.com

www.scandic-hotels.no/edderkoppen www.musiker

org.no

www.rockefeller.no

www.sentrumscene.no

www.musikermagasinet.no

www.scream.no

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WEDNESDAY CLUB EXTRAVAGANZA

GARAGE – AGE LIMIT: 18 YEARS

JOHN DEE – AGE LIMIT: 18 YEARS

MARCH 19.

CLUB MAIDEN – AGE LIMIT: 18 YEARS

Gallhammer (JP)

Vreid (N)

Karaoke from Hell (N)

www.myspace.com/ghammercrust This über-Hellhammer-worshipping japanese trio of evil women started up as a band in 2002 without knowing how to even play their respective instruments, and have grown into their own and are now a sought-after live act. Be sure to catch their gig!

www.myspace.com/thepitchblackbrigade After Windir died with Valfar, 3 of the Windir members decided to continue on as a band, but with a new name and a fresh approach to music.

The first Vreid album, “Kraft”, sent the band on the road with Enslaved for both a Norwegian and a European tour. Their third and latest album, “Krig” (War), was released early 2007 and received massive praise from critics and fans alike.

www.myspace.com/karaokefromhellnorway Be a rockstar for one night! Sing your favorite songs with a live band on stage! Slayer-Black Sabbath-Dio-Sepultura-GnR-Megadeth... Your call!

Insense (N) www.myspace.com/insense They have never been easy to categorize musically - but someone once called them a hybrid of Dillinger Escape Plan, Sepultura, Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad and Neurosis.

How can that go wrong? Don't miss these guys live!!

Negura Bunget (ROM) www.myspace.com/negurabunget From the dark, dense forests of Romania comes Negurâ Bunget - black metal saturated with Transylvanian spirituality. Their 2006 album “OM” was named second best album of the year by the writers in Terrorizer magazine.,

Deject (N) www.myspace.com/dejecthell Brutal death metal from these norwegians who are still shopping for a label - surprisingly enough, since the EP “Out to rot” deserves to be heard by many.

Vreid BLÅ – AGE LIMIT: 18 YEARS

Sahg (N) www.myspace.com/sahg “Sahg 1” was released to amazing reviews in 2006 - even the norwegian daily newspapers gave it top notch marks (and that doesn't happen often with metal albums here). Later that year Sahg went on a north-American tour supporting none other than Celtic Frost. “Sahg 2” will be released early 2008, according to the band's website.

ROCK IN – AGE LIMIT: 20 YEARS

Urgehal (N) In Vain

Käthe Kollwitz (N)

In Vain (N)

www.myspace.com/kaethekollwitz We couldn't resist this band - they sent in their CD to be considered for the 'demo slots' at Inferno, and we found their “Neurosis parties with Radiohead while Sigur Ròs has a shouting match with Sigurd Wongraven” approach irresistible.

www.myspace.com/invainno Another young norwegian band you just can't categorize - their 2007 album “The latter rain” received top ratings from practically all major metal resources. Expect the unexpected - these guys give you death-black-prog-doom with a vengeance!

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www.myspace.com/urgehalblackmetal Oldschool black metal complete with stage paraphernalia - although this band has been around since the early 90's they have managed to stay underground, to their fans' delight.

Diskord (N) www.myspace.com/diskordnorway Death metal with a technical/progressive twist – an explosion of energy and riffs live!

Gallhammer

Cult Of Luna

Slagmark

SUBSCENE – AGE LIMIT: ALL AGES NB!! INFERNO FESTIVAL/CLUB PASS IS NOT VALID AT THIS CLUB! TICKETS: NOK 120,- + NOK 20,- (ticket fee)

Cult of Luna (S)

Deject

www.myspace.com/cultofluna Doom meets alternative and falls in love - and so will you when you see these swedes live… Their 2004 album “Salvation” brought the bands music out to a whole new segment of fans, and now both hardcore metalheads and the more experimental rock fans can agree on what makes this band great.

Urgehal

Goat the Head (N) Cor Scorpii

www.myspace.com/goatthehead Hailing from some obscure swamp near Trondheim, this motley crue surprised the metal scene with their 2007 album “Simian Supremacy” - showing us that neanderthals indeed have more fun.

Cor Scorpii (N) www.myspace.com/corscorpii Another Sognametal-ex Windir contribution to Inferno - their demo “Attergangar” received praise and hopefully the debut full-length “Monument” will be released before Inferno.

Negura Bunget

Slagmark (N) www.myspace.com/slagmarkofficial This black/death ensemble originally got together in 1998, but due to long periods of inactivity they haven't released more than one full-length album - “Eradication”, released on Edgerunner Records in 2005.

Insense

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MARCH 20.

THURSDAY JOHN DEE – AGE LIMIT: 18 YEARS

ROCKEFELLER – AGE LIMIT: 18 YEARS

Cult of Luna (S)

Gorgoroth (N)

www.myspace.com/cultofluna (see Wednesday)

www.myspace.com/gorgoroth Bringing you controversy since 1992 - through 7 albums, lineup changes, charges of “religious offense” after a gig in Poland and nominations for the Spellemann (Norwegian Grammys) this band has proven to be anything but boring. Gaahl and King brings Teloch, Sykelig and Hellhammer to the stage for Inferno - and they promise you a spectacular black metal force live…

Goat the Head (N) www.myspace.com/goatthehead (see Wednesday)

Dead To This World

Gorgoroth Onslaught

Behemoth (POL) www.myspace.com/behemoth Starting out as a black metal band back in 1991, this aptly named polish band gradually worked their way over to death metal - with a twist. They have worked their way up from the underground through massive touring, and last year they were invited to headline the second stage at Ozzfest.

The beast is back at Inferno!

Tristania (N)

Dead to this world (N) www.myspace.com/deadtothisworld Formed in Bergen, Norway, in 2002 & was set out to be Iscariah's (Necrophagia, ex-Immortal) solo project. Dead to this World sees the return to the ancient speed/thrash/black metal underground with their debut album which is expected in January 2008.

Cor Scorpii (N) www.myspace.com/corscorpii Cor scorpii rose from the ashes of Windir in 2004.

By combining influences from extreme metal, classical music and northern atmospheres, the band offers a rare mix of beauty and aggression.

The debut album, “Monument”, will be released in February, and the Inferno Festival is one of the first opportunities to check out the band live on stage.

Axegressor (FI) www.myspace.com/axegressor Dirty, drunken, 80's thrash/speed metal is what you get from these guys, hailing from Finland.

Released “Axegression”, their self-financed EP, last year.

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www.myspace.com/tristania Ten years after their debut album “Widow's weeds” were released, gothic doomsters Tristania takes the stage at Inferno with new blood - Italian singer Mariangela Demurtas took over the vocal duties after Vibeke Stene decided to leave the band last year.

Tristania

Onslaught (UK) www.myspace.com/onslaughtuk British thrash metal band, formed in 1983 who initially drew influence from the second wave of Punk bands such as Discharge and The Exploited.

To make a VERY long story short - after a 15 year 'break' Onslaught was brought back to life. They released their 4th album “Killing peace” on Candlelight Records to rave reviews and are ready to prove they were never dead - they just needed a rest. Get ready to be thrashed!

Skitliv (N) www.myspace.com/skitliv777 Darker, and more brooding, music than anything Maniac has produced before. The addition of Shining's creator Niklas Kvarforth on guitar has enabled Maniac to use his voice and lyrics to their best effect, within the slower, more sombre sound that these two controversial and unpredictable musicians are able to produce together. You might not understand it. But you definitely can't ignore it.

Skitliv

FRIDAY

MARCH 21.

Ramesses Gorefest

JOHN DEE – AGE LIMIT: 18 YEARS

Den Saakaldte (N)

Satyricon (N)

ww.myspace.com/densaakaldte The project started as an one man band by Sykelig. Jormungand (Dødheimsgard), S.Winter (Aeternus, Gehenna), Niklas Kvarforth (Shining) and Seidemann (1349 & Pantheon I) joined in.

Sick black metal!

www.myspace.com/satyricon They've come a long way, baby. The first norwegian blackmetal-band to be signed to a major label, Satyricon has always been leaders, not followers. Since the start 18 years ago Satyricon have released 6 studio albums, gotten awards for a few of them - and played live all over the world. (For more on Satyricon, check out the interview in this magazine!)

Benighted (F) www.myspace.com/brutalbenighted With the release of their “Icon” album on Osmose last year, french Benighted gained momentum with their fans - and got a whole bunch of new ones. Brutal thrash/grind/death in your face!

Ramesses (UK)

The Batallion

www.myspace.com/ramesses666 Drummer Mark Greening and guitarist Tim Bagshaw (ex Electric Wizard) teamed up with bassist/vocalist Adam Richardson (ex Lord of Putrefaction) in the misty woods of Dorset, England in 2003. They give you (in their own words) torrential riffing, freeform psychedelic jams and enigmatic spells… They released their debut album “Misantrophic Alchemy” through FETO records last year.

Obsidian Throne (US) www.myspace.com/obsidianthrone Starting out as a gore metal act by the name of Soul Evisceration, the band evolved into something a bit more progressive and changed their name to Obsidian Throne. Their first EP “Behind the veil” was released in 2007.

Whip

ROCKEFELLER – AGE LIMIT: 18 YEARS

Whip (N) www.myspace.com/whipband With a mix of thrash/crust/grind/black metal, or scrap metal to make it short, these guys celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2008. Live the band is referred to as a bloody energy bomb, with a dash of black humor.

Gorefest (NL) www.myspace.com/gorefest The leaders of Holland's death metal scene, Gorefest built a substantial underground following over the course of the '90s with a powerful, groove-based sound that often paralleled similar innovations by bands like Entombed and Sepultura. They called it a day in 1998, but after a 6 year hiatus they returned with “La Muerte”.

Their latest album ”Rise To Ruin” proves that they are heavier than ever!

Tulus (N) www.myspace.com/tulusofficial The return of an old Norwegian giant. From the beginning in Oslo's underground, spreading demos over 15 years ago, few could back then predict what the band and it's members should mean for the whole Norwegian metal scene in the years to come.. (for more, see interview in this magazine).

Krux (S) www.myspace.com/kruxdoom Black Sabbath, Wagner, Trouble and the hardships of life are the main inspirations for KRUX, who took both journalists and fans of massive metal by storm with their self-titled 2002 debutalbum. KRUX quickly established themselves as a doomforce to be reckonened with thanks to the monumental sound and deliciously brutal songs.

The Batallion (N) www.myspace.com/thebatallion666 The Batallion was founded in Bergen , Norway in the summer of 2006. All members are well established metalhead musicians from bands like Old Funeral, Grimfist, Taake, Borknagar, Bombers etc. They wanted to get back to the old metal feeling - and they do it with a vengeance!

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Shining Burst Overkill

MARCH 22.

SATURDAY JOHN DEE – AGE LIMIT: 18 YEARS

be its obscene nature.. Now, over a decade down the line with six albums and myriad live performances under their belts, the trio that is Desecration are touring off the back of latest album, 'Process of Decay'

Shining (S)

Drone (D)

www.myspace.com/shininghalmstad This will not be a night for the weak and sensitive, as Shining is known for their expression of hate, depression and suicide in extreme stage shows.

This legendary swedish blackmetal band will give it their all at this Inferno gig!

www.myspace.com/dronemetal DRONE have been up to mischief in the German Metal scene since 2005. At the Wacken Open Air festival they won the final of the Metal Battle Contest in which approx. 1.500 international bands participated. Their second album for Armageddon Records is due to be released in mid ´08.

Burst (S) www.myspace.com/burstrelapse The initial punk rock roots of Burst were the earliest attempts of a disparate group of kids way back in 1993. “Origo”, released in 2005 showed us that these guys indeed have evolved into something very special. If you're a fan of Isis, Opeth, Neurosis and their likes - you'll for sure love Burst!

ROCKEFELLER – AGE LIMIT: 18 YEARS

Destruction (D)

www.myspace.com/iskald Iskald started out as a trio from northern Norway, playing a mixture of melodic black/thrash metal.

In March 2007 Iskald signed a record deal with the Norwegian label Indie Recordings, and a month later the debut album “Shades of Misery” was released.

www.myspace.com/officialdestruction Since releasing their debut album "Sentence Of Death" in 1984, the name Destruction stands for tough-minded, dynamic and unadulterated Thrash Metal. During their career, the guys have taken little notice of trends, images and “what the others are doing”. They've simply got on creating their own quality music and bringing their own slant to the world of the thrash riff: Destruction in 2008 still stands for old school Thrash Metal. (for more, check out the interview in this magazine!)

Desecration (UK)

Overkill (US)

www.myspace.com/desecrationuk Welsh death metal bastards Desecration have been causing mayhem and controversy since the mid-nineties. In 1995 copies of their 'Gore and Perversion' album were seized and incinerated by the Gwent Constabulary for what they deemed to

www.myspace.com/overkill Overkill are the alpha and the omega of thrash metal. With a career spanning over two decades and 15 full-length albums, Overkill have remained a constant in the metal genre they helped define.

Overkill unleashed their 15th studio album,

Iskald (N)

“Immortalis” in 2007. The album features Overkill's latest lineup, which, along with founders Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and D.D. Verni, includes guitarists Derek "The Skull" Tailer and Dave Linsk, as well as the newest member to join the band, drummer Ron Lipnicki. Overkill are ready to show mature metal heads they still have it and are geared up to teach the new schoolers exactly how it's done!

1349 (N) www.myspace.com/1349official The band 1349 has been going since 1997. They are currently signed to the UK record label Candlelight, which they have released 3 full length albums through. Pr today, 1349 consists of Ravnvocals, Archaon - guitars, Frost (also drummer in SATYRICON)- drums and Seidemann - bass. (for more, check out the interview in this magazine!)

Unleashed (S) www.myspace.com/666unleashed Since the beginning of the Nineties, the quartet from Sweden have come up with albums that have regularly caused quite a stir on the scene and have been celebrated by their fans. Unleashed signed a new contract with Steamhammer/SPV in 2006, bringing out their current release and eighth studio album, Midvinterblot.

Mortal Sin (AUS) www.myspace.com/mortalsinners Once hailed as the next Metallica, Mortal Sin have become legends in their home country, having been inducted into the Kerrang! Heavy Metal Hall of Fame in 2005 and being the only Australian band to have played with the big five of Thrash - Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth & Testament on tours in Australia and overseas. “An absence of peace” was released in 2007 on Armageddon Music.

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IMX INFERNO METAL EXPO EXPLORE THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF METAL CULTURE

THURSDAY 20TH AND FRIDAY 21ST OF MARCH 12.00-18.00 AT SENTRUM SCENE. STANDS, SIGNING SESSIONS, INSTRUMENT CLINICS, INTERVIEWS, GAMING, MOVIES. ENTRANCE: NOK 100,- (BOTH DAYS) – FREE ACCESS WITH FESTIVAL PASS. FREE AGE LIMIT (ID CHECK IN BARS).

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4/7 mosh feast - where will it end? Well, the Inferno extravaganza certainly hasn't become any easier for those who need their beauty sleep. Adding the extra club day and setting the alarm clocks for a new Inferno Metal Expo (IMX).

The IMX was launched last year as a daytime concept at Sentrum Scene - conveniently located next to the Rockefeller venue. In Helsinki and Stockholm similar metal expos are gathering the crowds to shop, explore and socialize to the different aspects of metal. Finally Oslo got its own metal expo, and it worked out quite well last year; the vampires faced the day and now it's time for the second edition.

So what's going on then at this year IMX? And for devils sake - it's going to be hard to top last years line up with Ronni le Tekrö (TNT) and Obsidian C. (Keep of Kalessin) grinding their axes at the guitar clinics, meet & greet sessions with Immortal and Dimmu Borgir, and not to mention - the preview of the "Until The Light Takes Us" movie.

At the IMX there will be stands with the possibility to buy all kinds of merchandise; T-shirts, CDs, jewellery, spikes, comics, books, games and so on. And why not try out guitars and other kind of musical equipment side by side with the artists playing at the festival? This year's edition will include more instrument stands with good offers. MTV Headbanger's Ball is setting up a studio so look out for the camera dude, you could actually be talking into a microphone...

Find out who's hosting the metal quiz and scroll the exhibitors list at the inferno website.

In Suspenso

ger Photo: Viktor Jæ

The In Suspenso performance group are pulling off their new show at the IMX. Hege Bakken is the special FX and make up artist in the group. She explains: "Personally I've been a part of Inferno since the start, doing performance either on stage or in the audience, or simply being backstage doing make up for the artists. So far we've had the privilege to work with bands like Arcturus, DHG and Shining. We really feel at home at Inferno."

Those who remember the weird sadomasochistic performance in the public area at the 2004 edition of Inferno, has to agree – it was mildly disturbing. Alien girrrls with horns whipping human dogs and a Jesus Christ figure walking around in a black latex cloth and a crown of thorns.

In Suspenso have also been doing their thing at the Arvika festival and ElektroStat with success.

"This year we are setting up a new show. Last time at Inferno the body make-up alone took around eight hours to put on, we are putting a lot of effort into this. It's kind of a live theatre act with music, lights and visual effects. What can I say; people just have to be there to see it."

In Suspenso will be performing at the IMX on Thursday.

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VISIT OSLO

BETWEEN THE OSLO FJORD AND THE GREEN HILLS OF OSLOMARKA LIES THE NORWEGIAN CAPITAL, AND THE COMBINATION OF CITY LIFE AND EASY ACCESS TO OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES MAKES OSLO A UNIQUE DESTINATION. The world's winter capital Only half an hour by subway from Oslo city centre, there are vast opportunities for winter fun! Oslo Winter Park Tryvann is the largest ski centre in the Oslo area offering 14 slopes and 6 ski lifts. The city also offers inhabitants and visitors over 2600 kilometres prepared cross-country ski trails. Go tobogganing at high speed in Korketrekkeren, or try ice skating right in the city centre.

Attractions Oslo offers more than 50 museums of all kinds and sizes. See the old viking ships at the Viking Ship Museum or learn about the polar explorers at the FRAM museum. At the Munch Museum you can see a large number of Edvard Munch's works.

Some of Munch's paintings are also found at the National Gallery, such as the famous “Scream”.

Go to the Ski Museum at the Holmenkollen Ski Jump to find out why Norwegians love skiing so much. Many of Oslo's attractions have free entrance, e.g. the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the National Gallery, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Oslo City Museum and many more. Some, like the Munch Museum, are free during the winter season, until the end of March.

New attractions in Oslo include the Nobel Peace Centre and the Holocaust Center. Both of these will challenge your mind and give you new thoughts on Oslo as a peace city. In March 2008 the new Museum of Architecture will open at Bankplassen in Kvadraturen, the historical city

centre. The new opera house, designed by the Snøhetta architects, will open on 12 April, but the building is already a new architectural attraction in the harbour.

Make the most out of your visit The easiest and most inexpensive way to experience Oslo is with an Oslo Pass.

The Oslo Pass gives you free entry to 33 museums and attractions, free travel on all public transport in the city and until zone 4, free parking in all Oslo municipal car parks, free Winter Walks, discounts on sightseeing, car hire, ice skate rental and ski rental, and special offers in restaurants, shops, entertainment and leisure venues.

Source: VisitOSLO as

FOR MORE IDEAS ON WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN OSLO, GO TO WWW.VISITOSLO.COM

INFERNO MOMENT I'm an artist from Montreal who fell in love with Tyr (Emperor, Satyricon, Borknagar, Carpticon, Thornbound) at 13. We finally met and consequently fell in love with each other. I lived in Montreal making the long-distance relationship quite taxing, so we decided I'd come to Norway to see him during Inferno 2007.

There I fell in love and met all the people I had dreamed to meet over and over as a child in a faraway land... Particularly Ghaal, I saw him walk in front of me and with much stealth I followed him and managed to get some very paparazzi-esque foul photos of him. Afterwards,

I garnered the courage to ask him for a proper photo (as enclosed) which he allowed and was excruciatingly gentlemanly and composed. Later Tyr and I met up with Garm and went to Elm street, after I had met, Trym, Samoth, Frost, Faust and other people of whom I will never forget (but I'm sure readility have forgotten me)... such is greatness I suppose. It was the best and most memorable 3 days of my life. Long live the monster that is Inferno festival!

Metal Andie

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OSLOGUIDE GO GO GO!

professional venue dedicated to up-and-coming acts from all over the country, while also hosting established international artists. BLÅ presents live performances for body, mind and sound system, almost every day of the week.

Age Limit: 20 Years. www.blaaoslo.no

* = Venues

SUB SCENE* Kirkegata 34

ROCKEFELLER MUSIC HALL* & JOHN DEE* Torggata bad

This all-ages venue also boasts a manga-café.

This place does not serve alcohol, and has limited opening hours on 'normal' days.

Age Limit: All ages! www.subscene.no

Originally an indoor pool, Rockefeller opened as a music venue in 1986. There are 2 stages – Rockefeller, the main stage, has a capacity of about 1500, and downstairs you'll find John Dee with a 400+ capacity.

Age Limit: 18 Years. www.rockefeller.no

GARAGE* Grensen 9 The rock place previously known as So What!

– now one of the best rock pubs close to Rockefeller. A little hard to find, but remember you can always ask people in the street. Garage also have an outdoor area for enjoyment of refreshments and cigarettes.

Age limit: 20 Years upstairs, 18 downstairs at the concert. www.garageoslo.no

ROCK IN* Øvre Slottsgate 10 In this dark sub-level club you can hear metal all the time, no matter who is working. Rock In plays more traditional heavy metal and loads of stuff from the 80s, so if you want to stroll down memory lane while enjoying your refreshments, this is your place.

Age Limit: 20 Years. www.rockin.no

CLUB MAIDEN* Øvre Vollgate 13 Close to Rock In you'll find this reasonably new addition to Oslos metal scene. The pub plays alternative rock, hardcore and all genres of extreme metal from opening to closing time.

The place also have a club scene.

Age Limit: 20 Years. www.clubmaiden.no

BLÅ* Brenneriveien 9c BLÅ is an independent club in Oslo for live, contemporary “jazz and related sounds.” It is a

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UNHOLY Dronningensgt. 22 A brand new place (in fact, so new it hasn't even opened yet when this magazine goes in print), boasting of hard rock/metal every day from 4 PM they promise to take good care of Inferno guests during the easter week...

ELM STREET Dronningens gate 32 This once so fun hangout for metal heads has had a change in profile, and is now playing more 'mainstream' rock and alternative. The food is still worth the trip though, and the management might let the bartenders play some metal during the Inferno week. Not the hottest place if you want to hear metal all the time, but if it's full of metalheads it tends to get back to the feel of 'old times'. www.elmstreet.no

NY-LON Arbeidergata A bar for the musically open-minded. You might hear anything from reggae to metal during your stay there. Fantastic bartenders and diverse music makes this an exellent alternative if you get sick of the metal pubs. Just a word of caution; money runs out REAL fast at this place!

MØLLERS CAFÉ Mariboes gate

Situated on the corner one block away from the festival venue, this place will be packed throughout the weekend. Not only is it close to the venue - the beer is cold and cheap. Just be aware of the fact that this is not the classiest pub in downtown Oslo… They do have some decent stuff in their jukebox though!

GLORIA FLAMES Grønland 18 About 5 minutes by foot away from Rockefeller you will find this rock/ metal hangout. If the weather is pleasant they will open the outdoor area, probably the best place in downtown Oslo to drink beer in the sun. www.gloriaflames.no

BAR ROBINET Mariboes gate Literally next door to the main entrance at Rockefeller you will find this tiny bar that serves plenty of rock'n roll to go with your fancy drinks.

Good place for us elderly metallers, you gotta be 23 years old to get in.

LAST TRAIN Universitetsgata The only rock hangout in Oslo where people have learned that they will NOT get music by request.

One of Oslos oldest watering holes for the rockers, it has been a place for beerguzzling and intimate concerts since 1984. Bands like Entombed, Cadaver, Danko Jones, Hellacopters etc. have played here over the years. www.lasttrain.no

TUT & KJØR Fred Olsens gate 11 Cheap beer and dodgy clientèle. Go for the beer, stay for the beer.

EXPRESSEN Jernbanetorget TEDDYS SOFT BAR Brugata This place has kept its original decor from when it first opened in 1958, and here you can meet anybody. Rockabillys, media personalities, musicians - they all enjoy the milieu and great food Teddy's offer. Put some money on the Wurlitzer and breathe in the atmosphere! And it's only a 2-minute walk from the festival venue.

One of the oldest pubs in downtown Oslo – I think a couple of the original guests are still there.

Good mix of old sailors, drunks of all ages and it's the first pub you see when leaving Oslo Central train station. Opens at 8 am and has karaoke for the ones not quite satisfied with just watching bands at Inferno.

SHOP SHOP SHOP! SOUND OF NOISE Henrik Ibsens gate Situated right across the street from Rockefeller, this is a good place to purchase music. Open every day during the festival!

RÅKK & RÅLLS Akersgata Second-hand shop where you can find rarities and maybe a bargain but mostly the prices here are a bit steep. Also very close to Rockefeller.

during the middle ages. It has stood proudly overlooking Oslo's harbour for over 700 years so far, and here the Nor wegian Resistance Museum is also housed. If you're into history, and maybe especially WWII, this is worth a visit. A wonderful old fortress with an amazing view of the Oslo fjord. Open 11 am 4 pm. How to get there: Smack dab in the middle of Oslo, on the waterfront by the City Hall.

THE MUNCH MUSEUM Tøyengata 53

LOOK, LOOK!

A museum dedicated to Norway's most internationally acclaimed and famed painter, Edvard Munch the artist most known for his painting Skrik (The Scream). Located next to the beautiful Botanical Gardens, make a day of it and walk through the parks after visiting the museum.

Open: weekdays 10 am 4 pm, sat./sundays 11 am 5 pm. How to get there: All eastbound metro trains from the city to Tøyen station. Bus no. 20 to the Munch Museum.

VIKINGSKIPHUSET Huk Aveny 35, Bygdøy

HOLMENKOLLEN / FROGNERSETEREN

The Viking Ship Museum is well worth seeing, if you're interested in history. Here they have 2 fullsized excavated Viking Ships from the 9th century – the Gokstad ship and the Oseberg ship – besides other findings from the same era. Open monthurs. 11 am 4 pm. To get there; Bus num ber 30, tell the bus driver where you want to go

A ten-minute tram ride from downtown Oslo you'll find yourself sur rounded by vast nature and maybe even snow – as I write this, there is an abundance of snow... Take some hours to experience this part of our city too, the view of the city and fjord is really quite breath-taking! If you got the money for it, stop in at the ski jump's museum, do a virtual skijump or just try to climb the jump all the way up (it's a long way to the top...) – and finish off with hot chocolate and apple pie at Frognerseteren, an old ski lodge nearby. You get there by taking the tram from any of the subway (T-bane) stations west to Frognerseteren.

NESEBLOD Rathes gate 7 (can also be found inside Club Maiden!)

Owners Ruben and Kenneth really knows what people want; here you can find rare demos, first editions etc. Of course, it ain't cheap but well worth it if you want off-the shelf stuff.

NORSK FOLKEMUSEUM Museumsveien 10, Bygdøy At the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History you can get a glimpse of traditional Norwegian culture and history. The Open-Air Museum features 150 authentic buildings from different regions. See one of the country's oldest structures, Gol Stave Church, from the 13th century. The Open-Air Museum is also the site of a restored pharmacy, bank, post offi ce, dentist offi ce and a newly restored Oslo apartment building from 1865. Open all days 11 am 3 pm. To get there: Bus number 30 tell the bus driver where you want to go

VIGELANDSPARKEN Kirkeveien THE VIGELAND PARK covers an area of 80 acres.

The 212 sculptures are all modeled in full size by Gustav Vigeland. He also designed the architectural setting and the layout of the grounds. The sculptures are placed on an 850 meter long axis divided into 5 main units: Main Entrance, The Bridge with the children's playground, The Fountain, The Monolith Plateau and The Wheel of Life. Here you will also find Sin nataggen, the little Angry Boy. Open 24hrs a day year round, and its FREE! How to get there: Bus 20 and tram 12 and 15 to Vigeland Park stop.

Underground: All westbound lines to Majorstuen station.

AKERSHUS CASTLE / NORWEGIAN RESISTANCE MUSEUM Built in 1299, this magnificent castle was the stronghold of defense against naval warfare

A WORD OF ADVICE:

HOTEL Our official festival hotel, Scandic Edderkoppen, will be hosting the Inferno Music Conference once again. Scandic Edderkoppen is already fully booked, but have no fear. Scandic Byporten, our second official festival hotel, is still availiable for Inferno bookings. The hotel is brand new and is located next to the central station - only a 5 minutes walk from the main festival venues Rockefeller, John DEE and Sentrum Scene.

Prices: Double room: 900 NOK Single room: 666 NOK Extra bed: 222 NOK PS: These prices include breakfast.

Facilities: • Breakfast is served until 11.00 every day during the festival • Free internet access Booking: Give the code "inferno" when you book rooms to get the special Inferno prices.

Contact: Scandic Byporten, Jernbanetorget 6, 0154 Oslo Telephone: +47 2315 5500 Mail: edderkoppen@scandic-hotels.com Web: http://www.scandic-hotels.no/byporten PS: You have to book rooms either by e-mail or phone. Via web won't get you these prices

ATMs are plentiful in Oslo - there is one inside the venue, conveniently (sic!) placed right outside the toilets, under the stairs leading up to the gallery.

Be sure to check that the ATM is the kind that takes VISA/Mastercard/AMEX, we have known people who lost their card into 'regular' debet card ATMs...

If you need to cash travellers cheques etc., there is an exchange office at Oslo Central station, and if you have foreign currency in cash there is also an exchange-machine you can use 24/7.

Remember that all 'normal' stores are closed on thursday and friday during easter - also that following monday. If you want to save some money on food and drinks, go to a grocery store and stock up on wednesday. There is a store right next to the Edderkoppen hotel - and also one at Oslo Central station that is a bit more expensive but that is open some hours during those holiest of days as well.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ambulance Police Fire dept.

Tourist information Taxi

113 112 110 815 30 555 02323 02202 08000 Gardermoen airport 815 50 250 Torp airport 3342 7000 Train/bus/tram info 177 Edderkoppen hotel 2315 5600 Byporten hotel 2315 5500 Rockefeller 2220 3232 Operator/phone info 1881 W W W. I N F E R N O F E S T I VA L . N E T

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SPACEBRAIN PRESENTS: ART FROM HELL EXHIBITION - MINICONCERT - BAR - FOOD SATURDAY 22ND OF MARCH 12-17 FREE ENTRANCE! STOCKHOLMSGATA 12 OSLO ou've probably seen René M. Hamel aka Spacebrain's creations before at the Inferno Festival or on stage with various black metal bands.

This time, Spacebrain invite you to his biggest exhibition ever - 300 square metres of pure evil - A full terror-package of audiovisual nightmares - New sculptures in a new studio, the Spacebunker!

Y

ou can also enjoy a mini-concert by Skitliv, Shining and special guests who will also have a signing session. Look out for flyers at the festival for directions to the Spacebunker.

Y

FOR MORE INFO CHECK OUT WWW.SPACEBRAIN.NO

INFERNO MOMENT My Inferno-moment was last year in 2007. When I was about to check in at Edderkoppen Hotel, after a tiring train ride, Dan Lilker (ex-Anthrax) comes rushing in with a swift "Where the fuck is the elevator....??"

Going up in the metal-world I guess.......

Pagan greetings from Jarle Solheim jr

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HOMECOMING KINGS

SATYRICON

IT WILL BE A SPECIAL CONSTELLATION OF MUSICAL MAGIC, WHEN ONE OF NORWAY'S MOST SUCCESSFUL EXTREME-ACTS IS COMING TO PERFORM AT THEIR COUNTRY'S PREMIER METAL-EVENT. EVEN MORE SPECIAL AS SATYRICON WILL BE PLAYING THE INFERNO FESTIVAL IN THEIR HOMETOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME JUST AS THEY GET READY TO UNLEASH A NEW ALBUM ONTO THE EXPECTANT WORLD. INFERNAL DRUMMER SUPREME FROST TALKS TO GUNNAR SAUERMANN FROM GERMAN METAL HAMMER ABOUT THE FUTURE AND PAST OF HIS BAND.

here are always only a few bands from any genre that will make it to the top. Satyricon are among those chosen ones. The now famous Oslo duo Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven taking responsibility for all vocals, strings and keys and Kjetil-Vidar "Frost" Haraldstad on drums pushing their steep way up from the obscurity of the black metal underground to the headlines of their national press and covers of music-magazines all around the globe. In the light of their great achievement it appears to be rather surprising, that Satyricon will be headlining the Inferno Festival for the first time in their long career.

T

as the drummer is still suffering from the ill aftereffects of a broken foot. 'Even with my condition we held a couple of rehearsals', says Frost. 'It just meant, that we had to improvise and adapt to the current situation. The spirit in this band is better than ever and we have achieved a flow, that makes it even fun to work. As the new record begins to show its outline, we feel that it will be ground-breaking for us. I am more enthusiastic about this new album than I have ever been before in my entire live.' From the fire and conviction in his voice it quickly becomes obvious that Frost is empowered and enthused by the ongoing workingprocess. This should be a good omen as it has

Medieval Extravaganza

It has taken Satyricon a long way to reach that level of satisfaction with their own work. 'We have to be critical regarding our won work', states Frost. 'It is always necessary to improve. When we started the band we really sucked as musicians. I was a horrible drummer, who did not have a clue how to deal with the extreme genre.

We had a lot of spirit, but simply lacked the necessary technical skills at that point.' Nowadays Frost is regarded as one of the leading percussionists of black metal, pounding out an infernal barrage of hard hitting beats at unbelievable speed with fierce precision. Although Fuel for Fans his drumming on the first two albums 'Well the Inferno might be ”WHEN WE STARTED THE BAND WE REALLY SUCKED AS MUSICIANS. I WAS A "Dark Medieval Times (1993) and "The considered as our home-festival, Shadowthrone (1994) was certainly but there has never been the right HORRIBLE DRUMMER, WHO DID NOT HAVE A CLUE HOW TO DEAL WITH THE not technically perfect, it did have the occasion or opportunity for us to same naive, but fiery charm which play at it', explains Frost. 'Any show also characterised Satyricon's music EXTREME GENRE. WE HAD A LOT OF SPIRIT, BUT SIMPLY LACKED THE and particularly in our hometown at that time. 'I am still happy with both has to be meaningful as we have a records", claims Frost. 'It is just NECESSARY TECHNICAL SKILLS AT THAT POINT” – FROST huge fan-base here. As a headliner important to remember that we were we fill up the Rockefeller venue on young people and the band was fresh. become something like a rule that a new Satyricon our own, and when we have already been in Oslo There is a difference between now and then.' In album will always be quite different from its several times during a regular tour it does not the beginning the band followed a quite different predecessors. 'It is part of being creative that make much sense to do it again at the festival.' Yet style as well. 'Satyr described our music as development, change and improvement will this year has brought a golden opportunity to the medieval black metal during that period', reminds continuously take place', replies Frost. 'There is band and their followers. 'We are exactly inhis friend. 'It was a fitting description as those also our need to satisfy our own demands. Each of between two eras now', relates the drummer. 'This albums defined that sub-genre. Using alternative our albums has to be unique and possess a show will give us a chance to present our new and acoustic instruments together with the classical character of its own. We cannot not be satisfied improved live-line-up as well as giving an early metal-set up and certain choices of tones gave it a with anything less and we will never release taster of some new material from our next album.' very prominent medieval touch.' Their next output anything without those required qualities.' Satyr Both prospects should obviously delight every fan marked a giant leap ahead. Many still regard and Frost take the point of view that they have to of Satyricon especially the rare treat of the "Nemesis Divina” (1996) as Satyricon's greatest please themselves first, before they can please announced sneak preview of their forthcoming classic so far. 'We had started to take things very anybody else - and both are very hard to please at masterpiece, which will most likely not be released seriously back then', recalls Frost. 'We rehearsed all. 'We always go a long way in order to feel good before autumn 2008. Concerning the new songs it a lot and decided to step things up. Even if our about what we present under the banner of is rather surprising that the band according to ambitions had been rather high from the start, we Satyricon', the Norwegian adds. 'And this time it Frost managed to get quite far in the recording wanted to climb up to the elite level, because we already sounds exactly how we want it.' process or even got constructive work done at all simply felt to belong there.' The result was an

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Photo: Per Heimly

“THIS SHOW WILL GIVE US A CHANCE TO PRESENT OUR NEW AND IMPROVED LIVE-LINE-UP AS WELL AS GIVING AN EARLY TASTER OF SOME NEW MATERIAL FROM OUR NEXT ALBUM.” – FROST

album, that did not only contain highly atmospheric and melodic black metal, but by using posh high quality pictures in the booklet also looked much different from the usual black and white necro-imagery of its genre. 'It is quite typical of creative artists with a trait of leadership in them to go against the stream', comments the Norwegian. 'We do not ask for change, but create it and take the lead instead of complaining about the status quo. 'Nemesis Divina' was the album our scene needed at the time in our opinion, but afterwards we found that the harmonies and melodies as well as the goth-imagery were taking away too much from the black metal.'

Now, Controversy Using the two EP's "Megiddo" (EP, 1997) and "Intermezzo II" (EP, 1999) to bridge the gap and already hinting at the coming change, Satyricon steered onto a different course with "Rebel Extravaganza" (1999): 'This album was focussing on harshness and the non-romantic-side of black metal', explains Frost. 'We wanted something that was dirty, cold and urban.' When "Rebel Extravaganza" was released, it received a mixed reaction ranging from applauding reviews to rejection. 'Judging from some if the early criticism

we had started a controversy', admits the drummer. 'Now it seems, as if the album is finally getting its due recognition by our core-fans. After all this time years people can fully appreciate and understand what we have done. This proves how important and right it is.' With "Rebel Extravaganza" the duo mixed calculated provocation and their very own need for change. 'We will never release a Satyricon album entirely as a reaction to the world surrounding us', emphasises Frost. 'The band is simply too important for us to be reduced to such a basic function. The artistic purposes are always most important. With this record we felt like delivering a statement as well as wanting something harsher, darker and more menacing.

So we took the leadership again and created a path for others to follow.' Their next step brought Satyricon back to immediate recognition by fans and critics alike. "Volcano" (2002) was heaped with awards, among them the Norwegian Grammy and The Alarm Award for best album of the year.

'That we got a lot of praise also has to do with the outstanding production', says the musician.

'People from different directions enjoyed its sheer energy and the album demonstrated that a much

larger part of the musical community started to understand the concept of black metal and began to appreciate its strong and unique values."

Instead of resting on their laurels, Satyricon moved on partly to explore the roots of their genre by including more rocking elements on "Now, Diabolical" (2006) than ever before. 'Historically speaking rock'n'roll has been at the root of classical black metal as bands like Venom, Hellhammer or Bathory became the prototypes of the scene', reminds Frost. 'They were much more based on rock and punk than heavy metal. 'Now, Diabolical' quite close to those musical foundations. We noticed that the album was a big success when we went on tour with it. More people than ever showed up and the crowd has never been as responsive and enthusiastic. Our fans are very important to us and playing live has become an essential part of this band.'

Eager to prove the truth of these words Satyricon will be headlining this year's edition of the Inferno Festival playing their classics as well as some brand-new material this show promises to mark a memorable event in the history of Norwegian black metal. Be there or be damned...

WWW.SATYRICON.NO "DARK MEDIEVAL TIMES” (1993), "THE SHADOWTHRONE” (1994), "NEMESIS DIVINA” (1996), "MEGIDDO" (EP, 1997), "INTERMEZZO II" (EP, 1999), "REBEL EXTRAVAGANZA" (1999), "ROADKILL EXTRAVAGANZA" (DVD, 2001), "VOLCANO" (2002), "NOW, DIABOLICAL" (2006) SATYRICON IS PLAYING AT ROCKEFELLER ON FRIDAY 21. MARCH W W W. I N F E R N O F E S T I VA L . N E T

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“WE WILL PLAY ALL THE SONGS OUR FANS LIKE BEST AND THIS TIME YOU GET TO SEE US WITHOUT CORPSEPAINT TOO - WE ARE UGLY ENOUGH.” – THOMAS BERGLI

TULUS

STRANGERS IN THE NORTH

ONCE THERE WAS TULUS - THEN THERE WAS KHOLD. NOW TULUS ARE BACK. FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN THEIR HISTORY TULUS WILL PERFORM THEIR OBSCURE BLACK METAL BREW LIVE ON STAGE. GUNNAR SAUERMANN CATCHES A GLIMPSE OF STRANGE THINGS TO COME AT THIS VERY EXCLUSIVE SHOW FROM OSLO'S MOST ECCENTRIC DUO SVERRE STOCKLAND AND THOMAS BERGLI. inger and guitarist Sverre Stockland (aka Gard) as well as drummer Thomas Bergli (aka Sarke) have never been the most talkative Norwegians alive. In fact this duo always kept a distance from the Oslo scene. This self chosen isolation may well be one of the reasons why their bands Tulus and Khold followed paths quite different from the mainstreams of the black metal underground. 'We never hung out with the other guys in Elm Street or exchanged band-members', confirms Bergli. "We were always a bit different.'

S

Making the Difference 'A bit different' is an understatement: It has always been obvious that Tulus took black metal into another direction than anybody else. Even their first recording "Demo I" a rehearsal tape from 1991 as well as the duos two demos "Samlerens Kammer" (1994) and "Midtvintermåne" (1995) revealed a sound of their own: Tulus' songs were defiant, wooden and dry, but at the same time hypnotic and possessed by a raw beauty. Yet at a time when everybody seemed to aim for a rotten production with the most necro soundexperience possible, Tulus begged to be different again. 'We wanted every instrument to be heard and come out clearly", states Bergli. "This is why we used other studios and technicians than everybody else. Now other bands have followed us. Maybe we should start to make a mess next, but I don't think so.' As a result of this alternative approach the two Norwegians released their first albums "Pure Black Energy" (1996) and "Mysterion"(1998). Going against the general trend

of their time both releases gained critical acclaim 1999", which included female vocals and strings and interest, but failed to generate mass appeal that are rarely used in a black metal environment. outside the better informed part of the "Biography Obscene" (2007) added piano, underground. Tulus' third offering "Evil 1999" was saxophone and other oddities to otherwise pitch about to change it all. Containing capturing pieces black songs. 'It has been most inspiring but also of darkness with an eerie groove like "Salme" the somewhat expensive to work with the album rapidly spread through the underground. professional musicians that you can hear on the The two musicians could easily have capitalised album', enthuses Sverre. "We do not have to care about any limitations as we compose all music on the growing interest by extensive touring and another quick release. Instead Sverre and Bergli entirely for our own sake." Involving artists from jazz-bands or classical orchestras in black metal simply disappeared only to return in 2001 starting naturally created a complex recording situation. from scratch with Khold. Their new outfit's debut Obviously it will be even harder to reproduce the "Masterpiss of Pain" took another direction. 'Khold gave us the opportunity to songs live on stage. 'We will perform with the same line-up as concentrate on much more “WE NEVER HUNG OUT WITH THE on the album, including the straightforward music', people playing strings, horns and explains Bergli. 'Khold is OTHER GUYS IN ELM STREET OR piano at the Inferno Festival', drums, bass and guitar, while Tulus incorporates a delivers Bergli a surprising EXCHANGED BAND-MEMBERS. WE promise. 'It will not be easy, but lot of different instruments we start rehearsing as early as and is much more experimental as regards WERE ALWAYS A BIT DIFFERENT.” January.' This will be a rare treat as Tulus refuse to go on tour or our songwriting.' play random concerts. 'We need – THOMAS BERGLI proper circumstances and this is Unveiling the Wicked exactly what we get from the During the next years Gard Inferno people', adds Bergli. 'It is a good chance and Sarke (aka Sverre and Bergli) continued with to present Tulus again as we have bought all Khold releasing "Phantom" (2004) "Krek" (2005), but rights for our songs back and re-released them as at the Inferno Festival 2006 they announced the it should have been done the first time. We will return of Tulus. 'We have never split Khold', play all the songs our fans like best and this time stresses Sverre. 'We are just taking a creative you get to see us without corpsepaint too - we break with that band and felt it was time to revive are ugly enough!' Now, what beautiful promises Tulus.' True to their artistic vision the duo Tulus make... continued and expanded on the concept of "Evil

WWW.40SPADBLAD.COM "DEMO I" (DEMO, 1991), "SAMLERENS KAMMER" (DEMO, 1994), "MIDTVINTERMÅNE" (DEMO, 1995), "PURE BLACK ENERGY" (1996), "MYSTERION"(1998), "EVIL 1999" (1999), "COLD CORE COLLECTION" (SAMPLER, 2001), "BIOGRAPHY OBSCENE" (2007). TULUS IS PLAYING AT ROCKEFELLER ON FRIDAY 21. MARCH W W W. I N F E R N O F E S T I VA L . N E T

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INFERNO MOMENT Last year after the Immortal show, we went to my room for some after-party drinking. My room had a huge balcony, so it attracted some friends. I was laying down in the hallway trying to settle some stuff with my ex (BAD mistake). Anyway, Abbath passes by and step over us, and of course, I had to stop him to speak to him.

I travelled all the way from Malta to see Immortal after all. That made my day. The other guys in the room were getting quite bored, so we managed to get a CD player, put on Sons of Northern Darkness, and two of my friends went around the hotel looking for a decent after party. I later got to know that they were in fact running around the hotel shouting 626, which was my room number. Minutes later someone knocks on the door and I find 30 people outside my room, and they all flocked in. Great, they didn't find a party so they made

one. Sons... went full on by now. Then all of a sudden Abbath comes in, strikes a pose, and stayed there speaking with the fans. He was joined by King ov Hell (Gorgoroth), met Mustis (Dimmu Borgir) on the balcony, eventually Grutle (Enslaved) came in drunk as fuck, and Espen (Ansur) crashed on the couch and gave me an interesting insight into the concept of Ansur's lyrics.

Karl, Malta

INFERNO MOMENT It's somewhat masochistic, but my best/worst moment was definitely during the 2006 Emperor signing session. I unfolded an Emperor backdrop I had bought off of eBay for a hundred dollars (having already been filled in that it was not real), in hopes to convince them to sign it.

I received a half-expected sour look from Ihsahn. He says "now this looks familiar" and turns to his right, where Trym is violently staring me down and

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interjects – "Where did you get that??" "eBay," I defended. "eBay?" he returned with a slight drop of aggression at Samoth's laughter at his side, watching me trapped in their gaze.

"This was stolen from a show we had in London," Trym explained to me.

I pleaded that I'd never even left my country before (never had a reason to, before Emperor's reunion). They took my word for it. I offered it back,

embarrassed and wanting it to be over. "...Nah, you paid for it," Ihsahn insisted. They all signed it and gave it to me. "You had a myspace with this in your room?" Ihsahn said. "I saw it." I said, "so that's where it is..."

"It wasn't me!" I repeated. He laughed and said "Sure, that's what they all say."

David Holmes

HEEERE'S JOHNNY! t's hard now to imagine life without the Inferno festival. Dynamo might have had its half-day black metal stage back in the '90s, but before 2001 there wasn't a single event that was fully dedicated to metal's most extreme edge, let alone one that took place right bang in its epicentre: Oslo. Since it started as a two-day festival seven years ago, Inferno's reputation and identity as THE underground event of the metal calendar has grown to the point where it's become a powerful beacon on the metal landscape, attracting fans from all over the world. It also has a personal resonance for everyone who comes here. For me personally, this exhilarating, exhausting, very often truly fucking mental festival has become the one constant since I started writing about extreme metal full-time.

Gearing up for my seventh Inferno in a row, it now feels like the central nervous system for everything I care about, refuelling and expanding the matchless sense of community that belongs to extreme metal, flooding the senses with unforgettable, legendary performances, and once primal forces have been invoked, unleashing them in the dervish that is the Norwegian nachspiel.

While some personal circumstances have changed, my bond with Inferno remains, and on behalf of everyone who works on Subterranea, the dedicated, extreme metal arm of Metal Hammer, we're all very honoured to be the festival's UK sponsors. All of us are deeply entwined with the legacy of extreme metal, and we also know that out of it comes rupture, release, sheer physical force and transport to realms no other music dares to tread. At Subterranea we're determined to spread the cause of extreme metal in all its many forms, and stay true to its underlying, undying and binding spirit. Inferno has been doing just that for the past seven years, creating a unique, intense world in the process. Now, for the first time a fourday event, it's going to be the source of more in-the-moment wonders and abiding memories than ever before. Bring it on!

I

Jonathan Selzer – Subterranea/Metal Hammer UK W W W. I N F E R N O F E S T I VA L . N E T

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FRIENDS OF NORWAY

DESTRUCTION

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT DESTRUCTION ARE A THIRD PART OF THE CLASSIC TEUTONIC THRASH TRIO TOGETHER WITH KREATOR AND SODOM. YET ONLY A FEW KNOW ABOUT THE GERMANS' DEEP LOVE AND RESPECT FOR NORWAY. VOCALIST AND BASS-PLAYER MARCEL "SCHMIER" SCHIRMER REVEALS THIS SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP TO GUNNAR SAUERMANN IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW FOR INFERNO FESTIVAL.

lthough Schmier is back in studio, the Nordic Alliance for Oslo has already happened twice in Bergen.

'We played at the 'Hole in the Sky' before', vocalist currently takes a small break from 'We owe Oslo a great show', says Schmier.

Destruction. 'I am recording some songs for my 'Unfortunately we had to cancel our last concert reminds Schmier. 'There we got to know many fans, bands and journalists from Norway and a lot other band Headhunter', tells the German. 'There with Candlemass there, because we got stuck in a were some excellent songs left, which did not fit snowstorm in the north.' Apart from this blow the of friendships developed out of this. We like to the sound of Destruction. When I re-released the Germans have fond memories of Norway's play in Norway, because it is not just the music previous Headhunter recordings last year I got the biggest city, where they played several sold out – we meet friends there!' The liking seems idea to use those tracks with this band instead.' shows. 'I particularly remember a fantastic night mutual: Many black metal bands still count Destruction as one of their early Even with a planned release in April there is influences among those other little time to spare, “MAYBE WE WILL BE PLAYING A NEW SONG FROM OUR FORTHCOMING “ANNIVERSARY”- German thrash titans Kreator and because Destruction have Sodom. 'Our friends in Norway do a tight schedule for 2008 ALBUM AS WE DO NOT CELEBRATE OUR 25TH BAND-BIRTHDAY EVERY YEAR” – SCHMIER not only remember their roots, but they live metal", declares Schmier. already. 'In January we will seriously start to write 'The whole scene is truly dedicated new material for our 'Anniversary"-album', relates in Rockefeller with Dimmu Borgir', adds the and less commercial than in Germany or the USA, Schmier. 'Touring will start in September and in the where they always talk about the latest trend.' singer. 'The fans here have always supported us meantime we will appear at some festivals all over and we are very proud to be invited to the Inferno Rattling the Regimes this planet." With the world in his sight, it is Oslo the Festival for the first time, where the country's One of those supposed trends is the ominous German giant looks forward the most to now. black metal elite gathers.' What will be a premiere

A

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"Curse The Gods" and which other band of that thrash-revival, which has been predicted to come era could claim a song like "Life Without Sense" for some years now. "I do not see that happening", written from the perspective of a handicapped remarks Schmier. "Thrash metal has had its ups child? Destruction had obviously found their and downs, but it never went away. Sodom, lyrical style, which the band continues to this very Kreator or Destruction – we have all found our day - much to the joy of their loyal fan-base. 'We own place and people still come to our concerts.' get a lot of mail from What has set Destruction countries, where people are apart from the other two suffering from dictatorial German thrash-legends is a more melodic approach to political or religious “WE OWE OSLO A GREAT SHOW. systems', claims the German. songwriting and an early UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD TO CANCEL 'Our fans there understand interest in lyrics beyond the average metal horizon. 'We OUR LAST CONCERT WITH CANDLEMASS our messages as we rattle at the very foundations of those started to move away from pure fantasy very quickly and THERE, BECAUSE WE GOT STUCK IN A regimes.'

The next foundations did more than just sing about SNOWSTORM IN THE NORTH.” Destruction will rattle are the devil', emphasises the those of the Rockefeller vocalist, who is referring to – SCHMIER stage: 'Maybe we will be their first EP "Sentence Of playing a new song from our Death" (1984) featuring telling forthcoming 'Anniversary'-album as we do not titles like "Black Mass", "Mad Butcher" or "Satan's celebrate our 25th band-birthday every year', tells Vengeance". 'It did not take Destruction very long to combine anti-clerical content with criticism on Schmier. 'Nobody needs to worry though, we will of course present Oslo with a host of our classics. a social and political level', adds Schmier. 'In this We know what people want and they will we never saw us as teachers, but wrote about our definitely get it!" Welcome to Destruction's big own experiences and our own ideals.' Already birthday party their second full length "Eternal Devastation" (1986) contained the generally anti-religious

WWW.DESTRUCTION.DE "SENTENCE OF DEATH" (EP, 1984), "INFERNAL OVERKILL" (1985), "ETERNAL DEVASTATION" (1986), "MAD BUTCHER" (EP, 1987), "RELEASE FROM AGONY" (1988), "LIVE WITHOUT SENSE" (LIVE, 1989), "CRACKED BRAIN" (1990), "DESTRUCTION" (EP, 1994), "THEM NOT ME" (EP, 1995), "THE LEAST SUCCESSFUL HUMAN CANNONBALL" (1998), "ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE" (2000), "THE ANTICHRIST" (2001), "METAL DISCHARGE" (2003), "LIVE DISCHARGE (20 YEARS OF TOTAL DESTRUCTION)" (DVD, 2004), "INVENTOR OF EVIL" (2005), "THRASH ANTHEMS" (SAMPLER, 2007).

DESTRUCTION IS PLAYING AT ROCKEFELLER ON SATURDAY 22. MARCH

1349

KEEPERS OF THE BLACK FAITH

MAJESTIC, AGGRESSIVE, PITCH BLACK AND GLORIOUS IN THEIR UNHOLY RAWNESS: 1349 EMBODY THE TRADITIONAL VIRTUES OF NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL LIKE FEW OTHER BANDS THESE DAYS. LIKE AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE, THIS OSLO HORDE HAS CLAWED ITS SINISTER WAY UP THE INFERNO BILLING. EXPLAINING THE BAND'S LEFT HAND PATH TO SUCCESS, SINGER RAVN REVEALS HIS DARK PHILOSOPHY TO GUNNAR SAUERMANN. hen the Black Death reached Norway in the year 1349 nothing and nobody seemed able to stem the blood-red tide of this deadly plague. Just like the coming of the pestilence which gave the band its name, 1349 have spread like a wildfire - quickly gaining respect and followers. When Ravn founded the group in 1997 many of his countrymen had started to turn their backs on the original sound of black metal and began to experiment with deadly or progressive elements instead. 'We wanted to keep the original spirit of black metal', states Ravn. 'When a large part of the scene started to head into a wrong direction, we decided not only to stick to the old ways, but also to develop them further on the proper course.' 1349 had a certain aim when they came into being and they still follow that vision to this very day.

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Dark Visions

“WE WILL DEFINITELY MAKE OUR PERFORMANCE AT THE INFERNO LIVE UP TO THE NAME OF THE FESTIVAL! AND THIS TIME I WILL PROBABLY NOT BURN DOWN ANOTHER MONITOR.” – RAVN

When Ravn gathered his troops their path was shinning clearly in his mind. There was no fooling around the rehearsal-room or playing coverand essence of black metal at the same time', versions to start off with. 'I had everything thought claims Ravn. 'It takes strength and individuality to through and a strong vision to follow', recalls the leave your mark upon this scene. In Norway singer. 'This is exactly what it takes to be basically only the old bands are left and no other successful in any form of art.' Dedication is one newcomer was able to make such an impact as part on the way to the top, but it also needs the 1349.' right people to turn the dream into reality. 'I took my time to find suitable musicians for 1349', says One of the things in black metal is the survival Ravn. 'They had to share the essence of my vision of the fittest all its roots and essence. It has everything to do with individuality. These two and commit themselves to that spirit. Every member had to be excellent with his instrument to matters have been our way in importance and to be able to contribute to and execute our ideas make a mark in the scene. Growing to become one musically as well as of the Norwegian black meal bands lyrically.' His search for that are present. What is left is just likeminded souls found “WE WANTED TO KEEP THE ORIGINAL the old band. No new bands have some rather unknown come and made such an impact as talents like bass-player SPIRIT OF BLACK METAL” – RAVN 1349.' What might be taken for Seidemann or guitarist boasting is backed by reality: 1349 Archaon, but also led the was given headliner status on the already famous drum-demon Frost (Satyricon) to W.E.T-stage of the Wacken Open Air in 2007 and join 1349. The Norwegians proved true to their their steady rise through the ranks of the Inferno ambitions when they released three studioFestival is also proving the singer's point. albums in rapid succession: Liberation" (2003), "Beyond the Apocalypse" (2004) and "Hellfire" Infernal History (2005) saw 1349 quickly refining their song-writing Even before the release of "Liberation" the band skills and rising in status and critical acclaim was given the closing slot in John Dee at the alike. 'The survival of the fittest is one of the roots Inferno Festival 2002. Metaphorically playing

back-to-back 1349 already returned the following year to open the festival in Rockefeller. 'I don't think, that we will be opening again', grins Ravn, sure of his band's status. 'The hard work pays off and we have grown a lot since we played our first official gig at the "Hole in the Sky"-Festival in Bergen. Appearing at the metal-events at home has always been important to 1349. 'It is a way to support the Norwegian scene, although there is not much left of that', adds the singer. 'At the same time it is great to see, that the crowd at the Inferno Festival is becoming more international.

Like Wacken there is much more to experience than just forty bands playing at maximum volume for four days. Everybody can get something out of it no matter if you are a fan, representing a label, being a musician or from the press.' 1349 are also prepared to deliver much more than just another concert. Ravn's experience as a licensed pyrotechnician will make sure of special effects: 'We will definitely make our performance at the Inferno live up to the name of the festival!', he promises with a humorous hint at a now famous incident from last year's Inferno: 'And this time I will probably not burn down another monitor.' But hey, is that not exactly what we all want to see?

WWW.LEGION1349.COM "1349" (EP, 2001), "LIBERATION" (2003), "BEYOND THE APOCALYPSE" (2004), "HELLFIRE" (2005). 1349 IS PLAYING AT ROCKEFELLER ON SATURDAY 22. MARCH 28

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WWW.ROSKILDE-FESTIVAL.DK

IMC

INFERNO MUSIC CONFERENCE

INFERNO HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL GATHERING OF THE INTERNATIONAL METAL INDUSTRY. THE INFERNO MUSIC CONFERENCE (IMC) IS A PROFESSIONAL GET TOGETHER FOR THE METAL AND ROCK SCENE DURING THE FESTIVAL. THE IMC IS ALL ABOUT DELEGATES GETTING TOGETHER – CONNECTING, INSPIRING EACH OTHER, HAVING DISCUSSIONS, SHARING IDEAS, DOING BUSINESS AND PUSHING THE METAL SCENE ONE STEP FURTHER. DURING THE IMC OVER 3500 SPEEDMEETING SESSIONS TAKE PLACE, MAKING THE RIGHT PEOPLE CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER. CREATING NEW NETWORKS AND MAINTAINING OLD ONES.

Wednesday 19. March (at Edderkoppen)

Friday 21. March (at Sentrum Scene)

14:00:

Opening

14:00:

14:15:

The Death of the album - What does the future look like?

Music business is in a worldwide decline for the 8th year in a row.

Digital sales to phones, computers, iPod etc. is increasing, but metal have been believed to stay with the CD for longer than the rest of the market, but is this true? Is this going to last? What changes is coming up and how is this going to change metal? Will the idea of albums die even in metal? We open for a discussion by the people who are in the frontline of the whole development.

Panel: Tom Gabriel Fischer - Celtic Frost Gaahl - Gorgoroth Maniac - Skitliv

Panel: Christine Carney - MP3.com /A&R - USA Ed Rivadavia - Sr. Director, Digital Marketing, RCA Music Group - USA Mike Gitter - Roadrunner Records/A&R - USA Roel Nan Reijmersdal - Vic records/Owner - HOL

Moderator: Michael Berberian - Seasons Of Mist 15:00:

15:30 - 17:00: Speed-meetings 18:00 - 22:00: VIP PARTY - Festival opening

How to tour!

Touring is the most important way for bands to create a fanbase and make money. Many bands never see the day they pass that line where money spent get you money back and give in.

What does it take to survive on the road and how can bands get more professional?

Saturday 22. March 13:30:

Blackmetal bus sightseeing The city of Oslo has a great deal of black metal history, but a lot of the sights are hidden from normal view. For the first time the IMC and the Inferno Festival have set up a busride to show a little more of it all and the one who will guide you through the sights is Anders Odden, IMC founder and guitarist in bands such as Cadaver, Magenta, Apoptygma Berzerk and Celtic Frost.

The full program for this ride include murder scene, Helvete, rehearsal places as well and an unique insight in Norse history and the dark side of Norwegian folklore.

17:00:

Heading back to the festival.

Speech by Jörg Michael/ Twisted Talent Booking-agency, GER Tour agent for Celtic Frost, Ministry, Stratovarius, 1349, Gorgoroth and more.

15:00:

The American dream!

America is still the biggest music market in the world and all bands at some point want to go there to seek fame and fortune.

The reality of the American music business is brutal, but still European bands hold on to the American dream. Some make it – and what is the key to their success?

Speech by Mike Gitter/ Roadrunner Records, USA A&R for bands like Nightwish, Megadeth, 3 inches of Blood and more.

16:30 - 18:00: Speed-meetings

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Keynote speaker: Gaahl (at IMX, Sentrum Scene) Gaahl was born in the village of Espedal, Fjaler, Norway in 1975. He has a reputation as an enigmatic character, and has been involved with black metal since 1992. He has been in bands such as Gaahlskagg, Trelldom, Sigfader and Gorgoroth. This is the first time ever that he will conduct a live interview in front of an audience.

Photo: Peter Beste

Thursday 20. March (at Edderkoppen) 14:00:

Can metal become more extreme?

Taboos and metal - where do we go from here?

15 years after the climax of Norwegian black metal murders and church-fire it is time to look ahead. Is there a limit to what record labels and other interacting musicbusiness related people can work with? What is the next extreme thing to happen? For this interesting discussion we are proved to present the following giants in the field:

THE INFERNO MUSIC CONFERENCE IS HELD AT SCANDIC EDDERKOPPEN. FOR REGISTRATION, PLEASE VISIT WWW.INFERNOFESTIVAL.NET

P R O D U K T T E S T E R • I N T E R V J U E R • T I P S & T R I K S • I N N S P I L L I N G • P R O D U K S J O N • R E P O R TA S J E R

NORDENS LEDENDE TIDSSKRIFT FOR MUSIKERE

www.musikermagasinet.no/abonnere

INSTRUMENTFORSIKRING

REISEFORSIKRING

Anders Odden

INKASSOTJENESTE

RÅDGIVNING

FRI ADVOKAT

OG MYE MER

www.musikerorg.no

Foto: Amund K Østbye

CARNET-GARANTI

– De beste rådene får jeg av MFOs jurist.