Inferno Magazine 2026

OSLO, NORWAY, 2. – 5. APRIL 2026

OLD MAN’S CHILD A NEW CHAPTER BACK IN BRILLIANCE THE KOVENANT SAMAEL TRUE ALPINE BLACK METAL SWISS EDITION PRIMORDIAL MORK PRIMAL INSTINCT

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INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL

Oslo, Norway 2. – 5. April 2026 Rockefeller / John Dee / Kniven / Vaterland / Brewgata / Goldie / Parkteatret TICKETS (including ticket fees): 4-day festival pass: NOK 4350.

One-day tickets: NOK 1195.

Festival + conference: NOK 4850.

Black Metal Bus Sightseeing: NOK 999.

Darkthrone Tribute Night: NOK 350 (NOK 200 with 4-day pass).

Age limit: 18 years.

Bring your ID to avoid disappointment.

Tickets available at ticketmaster.no or tickets.infernofestival.net INFERNO MAGAZINE 2026 Editor: Runar Pettersen Writers: Roy Kristensen, Gunnar Sauermann, and Runar Pettersen.

Proof reading: Runar Pettersen, Diana Blajan, and Asgeir Mickelson.

Design and layout: MultiMono, azgr@online.no Advertising, distribution, and publishing: Inferno Metal Festival www.infernofestival.net

INFERNOFESTIVAL.NET

TICKETMASTER.NO

WELCOME TO INFERNO! I

nferno 2026 will be the first edition of the festival planned without the involvement of our former director, Jan-Martin Jensen, who passed away from cancer on 10 February 2025. His death is a profound loss for the entire cultural scene in Norway – and above all for those of us who stood closest to him. Beginning a new festival year without Jan-Martin there to kick everything into motion has, of course, been difficult. At the same time, it has given us a clearer sense of purpose than ever before: to carry this festival forward in the best possible way. It is a responsibility we are all determined to live up to. Inferno Metal Festival will not lose the quality and identity that Jan-Martin helped build over 25 years.

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any people naturally wonder what will happen to the festival and whether major changes are coming. After all, Jan-Martin was our head of booking, and it is easy to imagine that his absence would mean a different festival. That will not be the case. Inferno has developed a strong and distinct profile, and we will continue to build on that foundation. Our current director, Lars Frode Hansen, has been part of the festival since the very beginning and has co-owned Inferno together with Jan-Martin.

Most of the team have also been here for many years, and we are now joined by a few new colleagues we are genuinely excited to work with. In other words, there is no reason to expect sweeping changes to the festival, even though our most important cornerstone is gone.

This is a legacy we are committed to honouring and safeguarding in the best possible way.

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s I write this, there are still five months to go before the festival kicks off. Already, I think the 2026 edition looks outstanding and judging from the feedback we have received so far, our audience seems to agree.

The very first Inferno took place on 13. and 14. April 2001, which means that in 2026 we carry a 25-year history on our shoulders: 25 years of world-class extreme metal of giving a stage to its audience, of growing up together in a unique environment within a genre with deep roots in Oslo and Norway. Welcome to Inferno 2026!

Cheers, Runar Pettersen

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SPETAKKELFESTIVALEN.NO

ROCK & METAL - NORWAY - LARVIK 13. & 14. Nov 2026

TBA TBA TBA NORWAY EXCLUSIVE

NORWAY EXCLUSIVE

FESTIVALPASS 1666,JOTRON ARENA - LARVIK

INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL IN COOPERATION WITH ORGIVM AND POLYPUS RECORDS PRESENTS:

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n Easter Eve 1996, history was made in Oslo. Under the heading "A Night of Unholy Black Metal", the originators of the genre – Darkthrone – played their last concert ever.

Although they only performed four songs that night, the performance has become the stuff of legends, not least because the band has since stayed away from the stage. Now, 30 years later, almost to the date, it's time to relive that experience. The four songs from the original concert will make up the backbone of an evening where some of Norway's finest black metal musicians pay tribute to the masters themselves.

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he tribute band, consisting of members from bands like Troll, Den Saakaldte, Tilintetgjort, Dold Vorde Ens Navn, Zustand Null, Hevn III and Urarv, have over the last years performed annual tributes to Darkthrone, playing some of the band's classic albums in full to great acclaim.

This evening, they will be joined by a selection of exclusive guests for a new Night of Unholy Black Metal at Parkteatret. This will be a one-off performance, so make sure you don't miss it!

Photo: Skogsfriend

Wednesday 1. April at Parkteatret, Oslo. Doors opens at 19.00.

Tickets: NOK 320 + fees, at ticketmaster.no. For four-day Inferno pass holders: NOK 175 + fees.

INFERNO METAL AUCTION

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rue to tradition, the Inferno metal auction will also this year be held in the Lobby Bar at Clarion Hotel The Hub. The auction’s host is, as usual, Tore Bratseth (from bands such as Old Funeral, Bömbers and The Batallion). Expect lots of rare records, posters, signed items and unusual metal memorabilia going under the hammer. The objects are often described quite humorously, so expect some cunning grins.

Come down for a good laugh, a good bargain and some truly rare finds from the golden era of extreme metal. If you are a lucky winner of any of the objects, payment can be made in cash or via PayPal to the auctioneer. The auction is free for everybody to attend.

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THURSDAY ROCKEFELLER

APRIL 2ND

JOHN DEE

1914 (UA) 16.30

FORSMÁN (IS) 17.15

1914 come from Ukraine and play blackened death metal. The band base their music, image and lyrics on true stories from the First World War, and 1914 is also the year the war began.

So far, the band has released four albums and are now current with a brand new masterpiece entitled “Viribus Unitis”.

Forsmán emerged from Kópavogur, Iceland, in early 2019, bringing a distinctive voice to the black metal scene. Blending melodic and melancholic undertones with triumphant, cathartic energy, Forsmán deliver an immersive and powerful listening experience.

SVARTTJERN (NO) 18.00

Myr is a new black metal band based in Norway.

Their music pays tribute to the Scandinavian black metal tradition, drawing clear inspiration from bands such as Satyricon, Bathory, and Dissection.

Their debut album Helvegen was released in 2025.

TORMENTOR CULT OF LUNA

MYR (NO) 18.45 Svarttjern play Norwegian old-school black metal – genuine, raw and unpolished. The band started in 2003 and has since released six albums.

Despite playing traditional Norwegian black metal, Svarttjern have gone their own way by including elements from both thrash and punk, in addition to their characteristic pitch-black humour and lyrics.

INCANTATION (US) 19.30 Incantation is an old-school American death metal band, formed way back in 1989. With thirteen albums to their name, the music represents the brutal, uncompromising essence of what death metal was always meant to be.

As Incantation now makes their very first appearance at Inferno Metal Festival, they’ll be taking us on a journey back to where it all began – with a special set based on their iconic 1992 debut Onward to Golgotha. This will be the first and only performance of this set anywhere in Europe in 2026.

TORMENTOR (HU) 21.15 Straight from Hungary’s dark underground we have Tormentor, who since 1985 have been paving the way for early black metal and inspiring an entire genre. The band’s raw riffs and unique style led Mayhem to discover them and recruit Attila as their vocalist in the 90s – a role he still holds to this day. In 2017 the classic Tormentor line-up reunited, and since then they’ve done a string of shows and festival appearances.

CULT OF LUNA (SE) 23.30 Over the past two decades, Cult of Luna have established themselves as one of the leading bands on the global post-metal scene. With a discography built on ambitious, raw and intense works, the Swedish band has created an unmistakable sonic signature – a blend of earthshaking heaviness, beauty and raw intensity.

Their live performances are nothing less than sonic devastation, with weight and power that hit you in the gut and all the way out to your fingertips. Cult of Luna push the boundaries of heavy music with their artistic vision and have become a unique band unlike any other.

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HULDER (US) 20.30 Hulder is a one-man black metal project – or rather, a one-woman project – that started in 2018 in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, strongly inspired by medieval mythology. The debut album “Godslastering: Hymns Of A Forlorn Peasantry” arrived in 2021, followed by the mini album “The Eternal Fanfare” in 2022. The newest album “Verses In Oath” (2024) combines a dark, melancholic atmosphere with relentless intensity and carries forward the legacy of classic black metal.

CARNIVORE A.D. (US) 22.30 Carnivore A.D. is a band that carries on the legacy of Carnivore – the crossover thrash metal band Peter Steele played in before starting Type O Negative. In 2017 the former members reunited to honour the two deceased members, Steele and Keith Alexander, by playing the band’s classic material. In the role of Peter Steele, they found Baron Misuraca. In addition to playing bass, he delivers a deep, distinctive voice very much in the spirit of Peter Steele.

MØL (DK) 22.40 Møl hail from Aarhus in Denmark and play postblack metal. The band formed in 2012 and has since released two EPs and two albums. This will be the Danes’ first concert in Norway.

VATERLAND

YVRIS (NO) 14.00 Norway’s Yvris blend doom, sludge and black metal to channel both the violence and beauty of bands such as Inter Arma, Sumac and Yob. Jazzinfused blast beats collide with groove-driven bass lines and spoken-word passages, offering brief moments of release amid a relentless barrage of down-tuned eulogies to a species on the brink of oblivion.

FEVERSEA (NO) 15.00 Feversea’s music lives in the space where the ferocity of black metal collides with ritualistic and ethereal soundscapes. The band started out as a post-punk project but went through a significant shift in musical direction that culminated in the wellreceived 2023 demo, where their atmospheric and varied post-metal sound truly came into its own.

GOLDIE

RIKET (SE) 14.30 Founded in 2016, Swedish death metal band Riket are less a traditional group and more a vessel of memory. Musically they merge punishing heaviness with moments of eerie restraint, creating a sound that is as aggressive as it is reflective, driven by tight, muscular riffing, relentless rhythm work and an oppressive, atmospheric weight.

BREWGATA

VOIDSPIRE (NO) 14.00 Voidspire is a new death metal band from Oslo.

Featuring members from Horrifier, Ruun, Blodkarsk, and Celestial Scourge, it’s clear this is a group who know exactly what they’re doing. Their debut EP is set for release later this year, and all signs point to a record well worth paying attention to.

KATLA (DK) 15.30

HOMSELVAREG (IT) 15.00

Danish doom magicians Katla bring a bleak and hypnotic new dimension of doom, blending atmospheric post-rock, sludge and progressive doom. Lyrically, they dive deep into themes of depression, shame, greed, guilt, the end of the world and religious manipulation, with their latest album "Scandinavian Pain" as a prime example of their vision.

From northern Italy comes Homselvareg, a black metal band heavily inspired by the legend of Homo Salvadego – the wild man of the Alps.

With a fresh record deal with Masked Dead Records and a new album planned for 2026, they are more than ready to spread their darkness further across Europe.

FRIDAY ROCKEFELLER

APRIL 3RD

JOHN DEE

FUNERAL (NO) 16.30

SOVEREIGN (NO) 17.15

Funeral is Norway’s leading death doom metal band, formed back in 1991. Alongside contemporaries like My Dying Bride and Anathema, they broke through with their heavy, distinctive sound and a tempo so slow it makes a 95-year-old grandmother seem fast. Thus, funeral doom metal was born. Over the years, the band has explored many directions and drawn inspiration from diverse sources.

Formed in Oslo in 2018, Sovereign spew out a venomous blend of death and thrash – no gimmicks, no polish. Just crushing riffs, barbaric speed, and a war cry against the glossy decay of modern metal. This is a ritual of raw power and precision.

MÚR (IS) 18.00 With a sound that defies generic labels and a vision that stretches the limits of creativity, Múr are the latest descendants from Iceland’s volcanic underground. With progressive sensibilities that harken to the Devin Townsend Project and mid-era Opeth, and textures with polished technicality a la Neurosis and Gojira.

DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT (DE) 19.30 The German progressive black metal visionaries Der Weg einer Freiheit have never been afraid to move beyond the genre’s confines and have forged their own path with their artistic and emotional expression. On their sixth studio album, “Innern”, which was recently released, the quartet show both depth and precision in their songwriting – qualities the band is well known for.

THE KOVENANT (NO) 21.15 We go all the way back to 1992, when Nagash and Blackheart started the band under the name Covenant. After a couple of early demos, the debut album In Times Before the Light dropped in 1997. Just a year later, Nexus Polaris hit like a thunderclap and put the band on everyone’s lips.

In 1999, they were forced to change their name to The Kovenant, due to a Swedish band having trademarked the original name – although we all know who the real Covenant is. Animatronic and SETI followed, ushering in a more industrial and futuristic sound.

MAYHEM (NO) 23.30 Mayhem stands as one of the most legendary and influential bands in Norwegian music history.

Since their formation in 1984, they have been a driving force in the development of the Norwegian black metal scene – a movement that would later gain worldwide recognition and inspire countless bands. Through controversies and dramatic events including suicide and murder, the band’s reputation and mythology grew beyond imagination. Yet Mayhem still carries the banner high, continuing to push forward despite every setback.

Every Mayhem concert is a unique experience – and the band is ready to make Inferno Metal Festival 2026 something truly special.

FUNERAL

GROZA

NIHILVM (PL) 18.45 Nihilvm is a relatively new Polish black metal band that has so far released one EP and one album. The band has only played a handful of shows so far, and this will be their first concert in Oslo.

MAYHEM

MORAX (NO) 20.30 Morax stands a bit apart from what is usually featured at Inferno Metal Festival, as the band plays old school heavy metal. Started as a oneman project by Remi, also known from Inculter and Hjelvik, Morax has only played a handful of shows so far, but the response has been excellent.

GROZA (DE) 22.30 Groza is a black metal band from Bavaria, Germany, channelling emotion, anger and sorrow into a melodic yet ferocious sound of searing riffs, raging blastbeats and melancholic clean passages.

Started in 2016 as the solo project of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist P.G., the band evolved into a full line-up and released “Unified in Void” (2018) and the critically acclaimed follow-up “The Redemptive End” (2021), which entered the German album charts.

GOLDIE

VILLMARK (NO) 14.30 Villmark has its musical roots in blackened folk metal, where a folk-inspired violin, crushing guitars and an intense, free-flowing rhythmic drive are combined with a raw, bare vocal that ranges from screams and deep growls to soft, gentle tones.

MÍO (NO) 15.30 MÍO have earned a reputation as one of the underground’s most intense and exceptional live experiences. With roots in Oslo’s punk and rock scene, they have made their mark across Norway – with a hard-hitting, dynamic take on folk rock that draws on Norwegian rock, punk and folk traditions.

Deathfest, proving that their northern darkness is very much alive – and now they bring that long-awaited revival to Inferno 2026.

VATERLAND

ARACHNO (NO) 14.00 Arachno is a young Norwegian thrash metal band from Norway. The trio started in 2022 when the members were only 13 and 14 years old. They haven’t had much time to get older in three years and are still not even old enough to attend Inferno as regular guests. In spite of that they are already doing extremely well. It’s safe to say that the future of Norwegian metal looks very bright.

GADDAVÍR IS) 15.00 Gaddavír hails from Akranes, a sleepy industrial town just north of Reykjavik, Iceland. Deeply rooted in their cultural heritage, the band crafts powerful and electrifying hardcore, blending raw energy with the spirit of 1980s punk and a rock ’n’ roll edge.

BREWGATA

CAVERN DEEP (SE) 14.00 From Sweden comes doom metal band Cavern Deep. Since their formation in 2019, they have released three albums of impressive quality. With their unique blend of heaviness and melancholy, Cavern Deep have established themselves as a band to keep a close eye on in the years ahead.

EUTHANASIA (NO) 22.40 Euthanasia is a death metal band from the far north of Norway, originally formed in late 1987.

Active in the early ’90s with several shows in the northern regions, a 4-track demo in 1992 and a rehearsal tape in 1993, they split up in 1994 and slowly gained cult status in the underground.

After 31 years of silence, Euthanasia returned in 2025 with a fiercely vital comeback set at Oslo

AUTOMATON (GR) 15.00 Automaton is a psychedelic doom/post-black metal band formed in 2012 in Athens, Greece. They combine down-tuned riffs, psychedelic layers, and black metal elements into their own distinctive and heavy sound. Their music is described as dark and intense, with a cinematic quality and relentless drive.

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APRIL 4TH SADISTIC INTENT

SATURDAY

two albums under the Kanonenfieber banner so far. He’s also the creative force behind Non Est Deus, who recently played Inferno, as well as black metal band Leiþa.

ENSLAVED (NO) 23.30

KANONFIEBER ENSLAVED

Enslaved are a progressive extreme metal band from Western Norway with major international success and multiple awards both at home and abroad. Formed back in 1991, they will celebrate an impressive 35 years when they perform at Inferno in 2026. Over the years they have released 16 albums, the most recent being the critically acclaimed “Heimdal” in 2023. Enslaved also has a long history with Inferno, having played the very first edition of the festival in 2001. They have returned a couple of times since, but it has now been ten years since their last Inferno show in 2015.

GOLDIE

ZATOKREV (CH) 22.40 Zatokrev is a Basel-based Swiss quartet, formed in 2002, that plays death/doom metal. Their music can be described as ambitious and impulsive, merging extreme music with esoteric folk influences.

VATERLAND

SWARTZHEIM (DK) 14.00 Swartzheim is an aggressive Danish thrash metal band channelling frustration over a world that is destroying itself and leaving the mess to younger generations. Live, Swartzheim is pure wrath and full throttle – with no half measures.

SENTI (NO) 15.00 JOHN DEE

ANGELL (NO) 17.15 ROCKEFELLER

DARVAZA (NO/IT) 16.30 The Norwegian Italian project Darvaza was formed in 2015 and has already made a deep impact on the black metal underground. Not surprising, considering the band’s two founding members have been involved in close to 50 bands since the early 2000s. Darvaza’s bleak and uncompromising black metal has made them a highly sought-after name on the festival circuit.

WHOREDOM RIFE (NO) 18.00 Whoredom Rife is a black metal band from Trondheim, Norway, formed in 2014. Since then, they’ve released four albums, the most recent being “Den vrede makt“, which came out last year on Terratur Possessions.

Over the years, Whoredom Rife has built a loyal following and is now regarded as one of the strongest black metal bands from the Trøndelag region.

SAMAEL (CH) 19.30 Swiss legends Samael were formed in 1987 and are considered part of the first wave of black metal.

During that era, they released classics such as “Worship Him” (1991) and “Blood Ritual” (1992).

With “Ceremony of Opposites” (1994) Samael developed their sound further, with the album including their best-known track “Baphomet’s Throne.” The band later moved in a more industrial direction on subsequent releases.

KANONENFIEBER (DE) 21.15 German blackened death metal outfit Kanonenfieber has generated a lot of buzz recently – and for good reason. The mastermind behind the project goes by the name Noise and has released

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Angell is a new progressive blackened death metal band from the deep forests of Telemark. “Like father, like son”, as the saying goes – and in this case Angell is the son of Ihsahn (Emperor) and Ihriel (Starofash). This also means that Angell’s uncles play in Leprous. We are therefore talking about a young musician born straight into music.

Modern metal band Senti burst onto the Norwegian scene barely a year ago. Originating from the northernmost parts of Norway, the band seemed to arrive fully formed right from the start. Ever since they started playing Oslo’s club venues they’ve been turning heads with their emotionally charged brand of modern metal.

KNIVEN

RUUN (NO) 14.00 HIEROPHANT (IT) 18.45 Hailing from Italy, Hierophant have been active since 2009. The band’s roots lie in black metal, with early influences from sludge and hardcore, before evolving in recent years into a more brutal death metal-inspired sound. Whatever the direction, Hierophant have consistently delivered music of high quality – and that won’t change when they play Inferno Metal Festival for the very first time.

BIZARREKULT (NO) 20.30 Bizarrekult was started in 2006 by Roman. The project later moved to Norway and has since released two full-length albums. In 2021 came “Vi overlevde”, and in 2023 the even stronger “Den tapte krigen” followed – two albums filled with aggression, beauty and melancholy, powerfully and effectively woven together.

The death metal trio Ruun originally hails from Hønefoss in Norway. Founded in 2017, the band draws its lyrics from the harsh realities of brutality and life’s many struggles. Their sound reeks of relentless blastbeats and wicked riffs, accompanied by basement-deep growls.

HERMIT DREAMS (NO) 15.15 From the dark corners of the Norwegian underground comes Hermit Dreams – a new experimental death/doom metal band made up of experienced musicians. With lyrics revolving around loneliness, anxiety, fear, transience, wonder and confusion, they twist death metal into an expression where doom elements and progressive outbursts are given plenty of room.

BREWGATA

SADISTIC INTENT (US) 22.30

HEVN III (NO) 15.00

The American death metal band Sadistic Intent first started all the way back in 1986 under the name Devastation, before changing their name to Sadistic Intent in 1987. As such, Sadistic Intent are regarded as one of the pioneers of death metal.

Throughout it all, the band has been firmly steered by the Cortez brothers. Prepare yourself for classic American old-school death metal of the purest kind when Sadistic Intent play Inferno Metal Festival for the very first time.

From the pitch-black underground of Oslo comes Hevn III, who released their self-titled debut album last year. If you think black metal has become too polished and pompous, Hevn III is the band you’ve been looking for. Here you’ll find lo-fi black metal filled with chaos, primitive aggression, and glacial coldness. Drawing inspiration from William Blake, Nietzsche, and Crowley, Hevn III have created a cohesive work unlike anything heard since the early nineties.

SUNDAY ROCKEFELLER

APRIL 5TH

JOHN DEE

MORK (NO) 16.30

ABHORRATION (NO) 17.15

Mork started out as a one-man band founded by Thomas Eriksen in 2004. After several years and several releases, Eriksen brought in additional musicians in 2014 and over time has turned Mork into a solid live band who’s played all over the world. Mork play Norwegian black metal rooted in the old school style, but with their own twist and style that sets them apart from the crowd.

Abhorration is a new Norwegian death metal band from Kolbotn. The band pledges allegiance to old school death metal, the way we know it from classic bands such as Morbid Angel and Possessed. Their debut album “Demonolatry” was released in 2024 and received great reviews.

AUÐN (IS) 18.00 Auðn from Iceland play atmospheric black metal and were founded in 2010. So far, they have released three albums. In the crowded field of newer black metal bands, Auðn have managed to carve out their own identity. Coldness, solitude, beauty and passion are words often used to describe their soundscape – and with good reason.

DEICIDE

PERCHTA (AT) 18.45 Perchta is an Austrian music project founded in 2017 in Tirol. Combining ritualistic soundscapes influenced by black and pagan metal, Perchta creates atmospheric compositions performed in a unique regional dialect. Using traditional folk instruments, ancient rituals and impressions of jagged mountain ranges are brought to life – offering a sonic journey through Tirol’s spiritual heritage.

PRIMORDIAL (IE) 19.30

NITE (US) 20.30

Formed back in 1991, Primordial grew throughout the nineties to become Ireland’s most renowned black metal band. Drawing inspiration from Celtic folk music, they created a sound that stood apart from everything else in the genre. Primordial have not played in Oslo since 2017, also at Inferno Metal Festival, so it is with great pleasure that we welcome them back to the capital.

From San Francisco, USA comes Nite – a band delivering blackened heavy metal. Rooted in NWOBHM and inspired by black metal, they have forged their own soundscape – one unlike anything else. Since their formation in 2018, the band has released three albums, the latest being the critically acclaimed “Cult of the Serpent Sun”, which arrived earlier this year.

OLD MAN’S CHILD (NO) 21.30

FIRESPAWN (SE) 22.30

Old Man’s Child was one of the most powerful Norwegian black metal bands from the mid-90s until Galder joined Dimmu Borgir. Their first three albums – Born of the Flickering, The Pagan Prosperity, and Ill-Natured Spiritual Invasion – are all of the highest calibre. When Galder joined Dimmu Borgir in 2000, Old Man’s Child stopped performing live and became a studio-only project until 2009.

After a long hiatus, the band is finally back – and with an absolutely killer line-up. They’ve already done a few shows, and the level has been top- notch.

Firespawn was formed in 2012 by L-G Petrov, Victor Brandt and A. Impaler. These are names that should be familiar to most fans of Swedish death metal, especially Entombed, which was also fronted by L-G Petrov. In 2015 the band released their debut album “Shadow Realms”.

Firespawn then released two more albums, further cementing their reputation for high-class, aggressive craftsmanship. The band was forced into hiatus after vocalist L-G Petrov tragically passed away. Now, after four years of silence, Firespawn are back to honour L-G Petrov.

DEICIDE (US) 23.30

GOLDIE

Deicide is one of the true classics of death metal, formed back in the ‘80s in Tampa, Florida. The band originally started in 1987 under the name Amon, before changing it to Deicide in 1989.

They’ve released a string of legendary albums, including their self-titled debut in 1990, Legion (1992), Once Upon the Cross (1995), and Serpents of the Light (1997). But it didn’t stop there – Deicide has continued delivering strong albums over the years, with their most recent release, Banished

by Sin (2024), being nothing short of crushing.

The band remains a force to be reckoned with and is still one of the very best death metal acts out there.

AUÐN

SPEEDSLUT (DK) 14.30 In the heart of Aalborg, Speedslut rise from the underground as a four-piece metal force channelling the unbridled fury of early speed metal – a fast, hard-hitting sonic onslaught rooted in speed, power and unapologetic defiance.

GALGE (DK) 15.30 Galge are a Danish extreme metal band who refuse to fit into neat genre boxes, forging a brutal yet progressive sound that blends death metal, black metal and post-rock into beautiful chord progressions, technical riffs and odd time signatures.

VÍGLJOS (CH) 22.40 Vígljós is a four-piece band from Germany and Switzerland, founded in Basel in 2022 and currently wielding guitar, drums, mellotron and vocals.

Strongly influenced by Norwegian second wave black metal pioneers such as Darkthrone and Immortal, they fuse the sound of 90s black metal with synth shades, tremolo picking, light rock’n’roll riffs and beats.

VATERLAND

SUBNOIR (NO) 14.00 Subnoir deliver atmospheric and weighty postmetal where melancholy, sludge influences and towering sonic landscapes merge into an expression that is both intense and deeply emotional.

MORTAL FEAR (NO) 15.00 Despite having members still below legal drinking age, crossover thrash unit Mortal Fear have quickly built a reputation for serving up ridiculous amounts of “smash-a-beer-can-on-your-forehead” riffs.

KNIVEN

GLOOMBOUND (NO) 14.00 Gloombound from Oslo is a band that blends oldschool death metal with dreamy, dark, heavy doom metal. With cheeky guitar lines and hefty riffs, Gloombound create a unique and intoxicating atmosphere.

RAUMER (NO) 15.15 Raumer is a black metal band from the Skedsmo area in Romerike, founded in 2020. The name Raumer comes from the Norse region Raumaríki (modern-day Romerike), as the area was known in the Viking Age. BREWGATA

BLODKNOKE (NO) 15.00 Blodknoke play brutal crust punk with clear traces of black metal. Expect chaos, filth, and ferocity when the band take the stage. Get ready for a sweaty, high-energy show.

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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF

EDVARD MUNCH O

slo is the city where Edvard Munch grew up and started out as an artist. This is also the place where he spent the last decades of his life. Today, Oslo houses the largest part of Munch’s artistic production, including his best known masterpieces. Join our Munch tours and get to know one of the greatest artists of modern times!

FRIDAY 3. APRIL: the tour starts at The Hub at 11.00, with a short introduction to Edvard Munch’s life and art. We will take the tram to the Ekeberg Sculpture Park on the hillside of Oslo, enjoying the view on central Oslo and the Munch Museum. A short walk through the park will bring us to the vantage point where Munch got the inspiration to paint The Scream.

We will take the tram back to the city centre and walk over to the Munch Museum. The guided tour will take you through the exhibitions Edvard Munch Infinite and Edvard Munch Monumental: these collection exhibitions invite you to explore the world of Edvard Munch. The guided tour will end approx. at 15.00, at the roof terrace on the 12th floor, with a unique view of the city. If you want to spend some more time at the Munch Museum, you have access to all the other exhibitions until closing time. NOK 490 per person + Ticketmaster fee per

person. The price includes entrance to the Munch Museum and two tram tickets. Pre-booking via Ticketmaster, for maximum 8 people.

SATURDAY 4. APRIL: the tour starts at The Hub at 11.00, with a short introduction to Edvard Munch’s life and art. We will take a taxi to Edvard Munch’s property and Winter Studio at Ekely, Munch’s permanent residence for the last 30 years of his life.

Munch used the entire property as an outdoor studio and many of his later works depict the garden at Ekely. After a short walk, the tram will take us back to the city centre and to the Munch Museum. The guided tour will take you through the exhibitions Edvard Munch Infinite and Edvard Munch Monumental: these collection exhibitions invite you to explore the world of Edvard Munch. The guided tour will end approx. at 15.00, at the roof terrace on the 12th floor, with a unique view of the city. If you want to spend some more time at the Munch Museum, you have access to all the other exhibitions until closing time. NOK 550 per person + Ticketmaster fee per person. The price includes entrance to the Munch Museum, the taxi ride and a tram ticket. Pre-booking via Ticketmaster, for maximum 8 people.

Photo: Munchmuseet

IN OSLO

FRIDAY 3. April, SATURDAY 4. April and SUNDAY 5. APRIL 2026

SUNDAY 5. APRIL: the tour starts at The Hub at 11.00, with a short introduction to Edvard Munch’s life and art. We will walk for approx. one hour through the city centre to Munch-places such as the Grand Café on the parade street Karl Johan, to Pilestredet 30, where Munch spent seven years of his childhood, to the University of Oslo’s downtown campus and the Aula, with the huge decorations of The Sun, The History and Alma Mater, to the National Museum. The guided tour starts in the iconic Munchroom. The tour will end at 14.30 in the National Museum, but you have access to all the other exhibitions until closing time. NOK 470 per person + Ticketmaster fee per person. The price includes entrance to the National Museum. Pre-booking via Ticketmaster, for maximum 8 people.

For more information, please contact Tour Leader Silvia C. Leine at Northway AS: e-mail silvia@uniquetours.no or phone + 47 45 60 37 56.

INFERNO DISCOUNTS AT OSLO SKIMORE TRYVANN D

id you know that one of Norway’s best ski resorts is just a short metro ride away from the Inferno Festival hotel? For the 2025 edition of Inferno, we’ve secured some fantastic discounted prices on the slopes for all Inferno ticket holders.

Skimore Oslo Tryvann features 11 lifts, 18 runs, a drop height of 381 metres, a Big Air area with a superpipe, three terrain parks, and a 13-foot halfpipe. The ski and snowboard facility has something for everyone: easy trails in the beginner area, a separate slopestyle line, and wide trails that are perfect for carving.

Skimore Oslo also has its own ski school offering courses and private lessons, as well as an excellent rental service, ski shop, and workshop.

You can rent everything from alpine and cross-

country skis to ski clothing if you don’t have your own. The prepping machine in the store is environmentally friendly, using infrared heat radiation.

The facility also features several dining options, including a brand-new café.

Inferno Prices (Show your wristband in the shop) • Skipass: 450 NOK • Rental of skis/snowboard/shoes/sticks/helmet: 420 NOK • Cross-country skis/shoes/sticks: 280 NOK (free to use the cross-country slopes) • Trousers/jackets: 100 NOK per item or 175 NOK for both www.skimore.no WWW.INFERNOFESTIVAL.NET

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THE KOVENANT – BACK IN BRILLIANCE

WHEN COVENANT RELEASED THEIR SOPHOMORE FULL-LENGTH 'NEXUS POLARIS' IN 1998, THE NORWEGIANS – WHO HAD TO BE REBRANDED TO THE KOVENANT DUE TO LEGAL REASONS SIX YEARS AFTER THEIR FOUNDING – DID NOT JUST REINVENT THEMSELVES, BUT THEY ALSO BROKE THROUGH THE BOUNDARIES OF THE BLACK METAL GENRE TO EXPLORE NEW MUSICAL DIMENSIONS. By: Gunnar Sauermann

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hen Covenant released their sophomore full-length 'Nexus Polaris' in 1998, the Norwegians – who had to be rebranded to The Kovenant due to legal reasons six years after their founding – did not just reinvent themselves, but they also broke through the boundaries of the black metal genre to explore new musical dimensions.

'Nexus Polaris' was partly a reflection of the involved musicians. The dark metal framework was constructed from the guitar riffs courtesy of band co-founder Blackheart, who later changed his stage name to Psy Coma, and Dimmu Borgir's Astennu. This side of their sound was spearheaded by the unique black metal voice of Nagash, the other co-founder, who was also Dimmu Borgir's bass player at the time. His rasping vocals were contrasted by the operatic counterpart provided

by Sarah Jezebel Deva, who also lent her remarkably dramatic voice to the classic albums of Cradle of Filth. The dramatic, theatrical, and progressive elements in The Kovenant's new sound were further embodied by Arcturus keyboard player Sverd, who left an audible fingerprint on 'Nexus Polaris'. All of this was relentlessly driven forward

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and held together by the equally complex and powerful drumming of Hellhammer.

Solo for Drums Hellammer aka Jan Axel von Blomberg hardly needs any introduction. The drummer of legendary Norwegian black metal bedrock Mayhem has already secured a place in this genre's hall of fame with his contribution to the harsh style's defining album, 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas', which was released in 1994. He is also a permanent member of Arcturus since the debut album and has played in many other bands – including such heavy weights as Dimmu Borgir. Despite a busy schedule and at the time of the interview on tour with Mayhem in South America, the exceptional drummer kindly agreed to talk to Inferno Festival magazine about the upcoming show of The Kovenant.

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ontrary to the popular image of brooding and sinister black metal musicians, Hellhammer is a true gentleman as well as an eloquent and witty conversationalist even when on the road. "Well, I kind of live in airport lounges and out of a suitcase", he sighs with a smile.

Music is my profession – but most of all my passion and I still love it. Both, a new Mayhem and a new Arcturus album are on the way, while on top of it all The Kovenant are back on track. Busy times ahead". The Norseman's multiple roles even lead to a situation where he is supposed to play two shows back-to-back at the Inferno Festival. "First I will be on stage with The Kovenant and after a short break get back up with Mayhem", the drummer confirms but keeps his cool. "I am not worried as I have done that before, for example when I was performing with Immortal. I just take the first band as an intensive warm up."

Against All Odds The idea to bring back The Kovenant from their long slumber had been around for years as Hellhammer explains. "We have been thinking and talking about it for a long time, but there was always at least one of us, who was too busy with another project or felt that the time was not ripe yet.

When it came up again last year, Nagash, Sverd and I all agreed that it was now or never!" This ultimatum was easier set than fulfilled, while every musician involved was active in other bands and

Photo: Anna Fabbri Photo: Håkon Grav

all had families that demanded their rightful share every aspect of band-life." Getting the guys back looking forward to his double engagement that of the time. Even more obstacles popped up along together in Nordic Blues Brothers' style was not includes the third appearance at Inferno 2026, the way. It turned out that original guitarist Psy the end of this hurdle race. The reason why it he will also remember and pay tribute to the late Coma was in not going to be available for touring resembled a race at all was owed to the tight co-founder and organiser Jan-Martin Jensen, due to personal reasons. "When we were discussing deadline that the reformed The Kovenant had set who passed away in early 2025. "It was a dreadful a replacement to play shows with us, we quickly themselves for finding out whether there was still loss that hit us all extremely hard", the musician came up with Knut Magne Valle", Hellhammer lets interest in them from the business side as they says. "We had known and been friends with Janon. "Sverd and I knew him from Arcturus as an wanted to get things happening fast. "We had Martin for a very long time. He had booked the excellent guitarist, and at least equally important reached out to booking agents, festival promoters, first shows for Mayhem and stayed as our booker as a great guy to have around on a tour. We ended and friends while not knowing for sure what to in Norway ever since then. Loyalty is extremely up lucky as Knut agreed." As the group aimed to expect”. Hellhammer admits. "Although the fans rare in the music business and friendship is even bring back all original members from the 'Nexus kept asking for our return during all those years, more important. I had already worked with him Polaris' line-up, they also before Mayhem in a combrought back Astennu, “I AM NOT WORRIED AS I HAVE DONE THAT BEFORE, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN I WAS PERFORMING pany that was setting up although the guitarist had backlines. It will feel meanwhile returned to his strange to return to Inferno WITH IMMORTAL. I JUST TAKE THE FIRST BAND AS AN INTENSIVE WARM UP.” native Australia. "At first, this without Jan-Martin being idea sounded great", the there, but the festival is an – HELLHAMMER ABOUT THE INFERNO SHOW drummer recalls. "As it important part of his legacy, turned out, working with somebody from the other we did not take anything for granted. When the and we will honour the invitation by giving our half of the globe caused too many logistic problems response came in, it was by far exceeding our very best on stage. due to the distance." Soon a new guitarist was most optimistic expectations. We were again needed and for about the same reasons that fortunate, when the amazing Håkon Grav, who t the end of 2025, The Kovenant are still favoured Knut, Mayhem's Ghul aka Charles Hedger also manages Emperor among other important making plans about what to do in addition was offered this position, to which the latter acts, agreed to collaborate with us. There were to the performance of 'Nexus Polaris': agreed. "It was also an important factor that Sarah so many offers that we really needed his help to "We will sure present an Easter egg or two", had been getting along well with Ghul, when they sort them all out."

Hellhammer promises and teases with a spoiler: were both in Cradle of Filth", Hellhammer adds.

"There might even be a totally new song as Inferno The singer, whose voice had brought the infamous Return to Inferno would be the proper place to show our fans Countess Bathory to life on the English band’s The Kovenant had already played at the Inferno where we musically stand in the present. It has classic 'Cruelty and the Beast' (1998) for example, Festival as early as the third edition in 2003 and never been our intention to just pander to nostalgia had withdrawn from the music scene for quite a come back to perform 'Nexus Polaris' in full in as we consider The Kovenant as an active and while. "We are really glad that we managed to 2010. "The second time, we added a 'new' song contemporary band. It was always about being convince Sarah to return to the stage", he continues. from an album that will most likely never get at the right place, at the right time, and doing the "Her voice is an important part of our sound and released", the drummer remembers. "We are still right stuff. We will all see soon where this will with every great show, her confidence grew back. discussing, if there could be an EP with some of take us next."

The wonderful truth about our current line-up is that material at some point in time, but right now that we are all good friends and have known each we prefer to focus on creating a new album from The Kovenant performs at Rockefeller stage other for a long time, which obviously helps with scratch." Although Hellhammer is very much Friday 3rd of April 21.15.

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Photo: Jeremy Saffer

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BLACK METAL BUS SIGHTSEEING

oin us on a tour of the places that marked the beginning of the legend of Norwegian black metal with Anders Odden as your guide.

The myths surrounding the early history of Norwegian black metal are numerous. Countless documentaries, films, and books have tried to uncover what happened in Norway in the early ‘90s. Visiting the locations where these events took place, guided by someone who was there, makes this a truly personal journey.

Through his record store, Helvete, and his band, Mayhem, Øystein Aarseth – better known

as Euronymous – became a central figure in the scene. He inspired and promoted early Norwegian metal bands such as Emperor, Darkthrone, Immortal, Burzum, and others. On August 10, 1993, after a year of turmoil in the underground scene of Oslo and Bergen, Euronymous was killed in his apartment by Varg Vikernes, also known as “Greven”, the notorious leader of Burzum. This event marked both the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The once so obscure black metal scene quickly became infamous, grabbing tabloid headlines in Norway and the rest of the world.

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his excursion will feature exclusive anecdotes and personal memories from someone who experienced those formative years firsthand, Anders Odden (Cadaver, Order etc.).

Anders Odden formed his first black metal band, Slaught, in 1986 after attending a Mayhem rehearsal at the age of 14. A pioneer in the underground scene, he was involved in tape trading, organizing concerts, and crafting his own brand of extreme metal. In 1988, he formed Cadaver, releasing the first Norwegian death metal album on Necrosis Records in 1990.

Cadaver shared the stage with bands like Darkthrone, Mayhem, and Old Funeral – groups that would later shape the early Norwegian black metal scene.

He later toured the world as a black metal musician with bands like Celtic Frost and others.

BLACK METAL BUS SIGHTSEEING – A FIELD TRIP THROUGH NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL 11:30 Meet up with ticket in the lobby, The Hub, Inferno Festival Hotel.

12:00 Departure from The Hub, Inferno Festival Hotel.

12:30 Langhus Station, (The Infamous photo op).

13:15 Ski Cemetery, (Euronymous grave).

13:45 Neseblod Records, aka “Helvete” (1991-1993).

15:00 Holmenkollen Chapel (Burned down in 1992, re-built in 1996).

16:00 Return to The Hub, Inferno Festival Hotel.

Thursday 2. April and Friday 3. April.

Ticket price NOK 999.

INFERNO ART EXHIBITION I

t's a huge privilege for me to be the new curator of the Inferno Art Exhibition. I would like to thank Nick Morte, who has done an amazing job with the Art Exhibition in previous years, and Inferno Metal Festival for trusting me with this assignment.

For me, and I assume for a great many of you, art has a special place in our community. Inspiration from old masters, new masters, music and nature gives us cover art, logos, body art and visual art, and through these we find the artistic identity in metal.

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y professors in art history told me that I looked at art as if it were a stage. Being a member of the community since the early ’90s in Bergen, I worked professionally with metal to visualise the atmosphere through lights and special effects. It was always about creating a picture on stage, finding that atmosphere that made it something special.

I still carry this atmosphere into my work as a clothing designer and into my art and décor work at festivals.

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hen we listen to the music and read the lyrics, we picture it in our heads and wish we could visualise it. Luckily we have artists among us who do this for us. I hope that the artists we have found for the 2026 edition of the Inferno Art Exhibition will fulfil these expectations – they definitely do that for me, and I can't wait to get my hands on some of these artworks.

Some of the artists you already know, and we are super excited to present new artists for you as well. As in previous years, the Art Exhibition will be held at The Hub, and this is a great opportunity to bring home some art as a festival souvenir, since the artists will have lots of work for sale.

The Art Exhibition is open to everyone – not only festival attendees, but EVERYONE. You just have to enter The Hub, pass the reception and the lifts, and you will find our exhibition room in the conference area.

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ntrance is free, and the opening hours will be 11:00-16:00. There will also be art for sale at Rockefeller, but that is limited to festival attendees. See you there!

Follow us @infernoartandtattoos.

Kirsti Rosseland and the Inferno Art and Tattoo Crew.

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OLD MAN’S CHILD – A NEW CHAPTER

OLD MAN’S CHILD TRACES ITS ROOTS BACK TO THE LATE 1980S, WHEN THEY WERE CALLED REQUIEM AND PLAYED THRASH METAL COVER SONGS. IN 1993 THE BAND BECAME OLD MAN’S CHILD, AND IN 1994 THEIR FIRST DEMO WAS RELEASED. A STRING OF ALBUMS FOLLOWED OVER THE NEXT YEARS, UNTIL DIMMU BORGIR NEEDED A NEW GUITARIST IN 2000 AND, SINCE GALDER CAME FROM THE SAME AREA IN NORWAY, HE BECAME THE NATURAL CHOICE. HE EVENTUALLY BECAME ONE OF THREE PERMANENT MEMBERS, WHILE OTHER POSITIONS WERE GRADUALLY FILLED BY SESSION MUSICIANS. BUT ALL THINGS COME TO AN END, AND IN 2024 THE NEWS BROKE THAT GALDER WAS NO LONGER PART OF DIMMU BORGIR. WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES ANOTHER OPEN, AND IT WAS TIME TO BEGIN A NEW CHAPTER FOR OLD MAN’S CHILD. By: Runar Pettersen

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t has been many years since Old Man’s Child last played live. We have to go all the way back to 2000, when the band did a small European tour – mainly in Germany and neighbouring countries. That tour did not even include Norway. To find the last concert, we have to go back to 1999, when the band played at Mars on 7 February that year – a fantastic show that set the crowd on fire. There is also a small link to Inferno Metal Festival here, as our former Inferno boss Jan-Martin Jensen was the owner of Mars.

Very few people have therefore had the pleasure of experiencing Old Man’s Child live, since only a limited number of shows were played in the 90s and in 2000. Now the time has finally come to experience the band again.

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ven though Old Man’s Child released albums all the way up until 2009, it has actually been 25 years since Old Man’s Child last played live. How does it feel to be back, and how have the shows and the reception been so far?

- Yes, that is true. And I haven’t really been active with Old Man’s Child since then, so it feels great to be back. I’ve always wanted to return, but at the time I preferred to focus on just one band.

Trying to put a band together and play live shows on top of everything I was doing with Dimmu simply wasn’t an option back then. But better late than never, I suppose, and it genuinely feels fantastic to be back again. The response and the offers we’ve received have been overwhelming, especially considering how long we’ve been away.

Tjodalv was there from the very beginning of Old Man’s Child, so it was perhaps natural to bring him back in. But did you consider bringing in any other former members? Or was using members from Tjodalv’s other band, Susperia, such a good solution that it became an easy choice?

- It wasn’t really part of the plan from the beginning that he would be involved. To be honest, I wasn’t even thinking about playing live until the next album

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was finished. But one thing led to another, and as soon as I left Dimmu, the live offers started pouring in. That meant I had to put a live band together right away. Knowing people from before, and having them living in the same area, played a big role in that process. And of course, the fact that he had performed on a few of the albums also weighed heavily in the decision.

So far, the current live lineup works really well.

There’s good chemistry, everyone is highly professional, and it truly feels like the right choice.

Hoest from Taake did the vocals at the first shows. How did you end up choosing him for that role? What was it like for you to start singing again?

“WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING A FEW SHOWS NOW, AND IT SEEMS TO GET BETTER AND BETTER WITH EACH SHOW WE’VE DONE SO FAR, SO WE ARE READY TO CRUSH” – GALDER ABOUT THE INFERNO SHOW - Yeah, that actually happened more as a coincidence, as we met a few times with mutual friends. We just started messing around with the idea. And since I haven't been a frontman singing for many years, and even back then we didn't really play that much live, it seemed like a good idea to have someone helping out in the beginning at least. But in the first US show we did, I needed to do the vocals myself, and since that worked out okay I figured there was no going back to using others after that, so I just did it myself from then on.

Hoest handled vocals at the first two Old Man’s Child shows in 2025, at Sweden Rock Festival in Sweden and Tons of Rock in Norway. After that it was over to the Fire In The Mountains festival in the United States, and since then Galder himself has been behind the microphone – a job he has done brilliantly. This also means that Inferno Metal Festival will be the first time he sings in Norway himself since the reunion.

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ou now have all the keyboards on tape when you play live. But I understand it wasn’t just a matter of lifting them from the original recordings. Did you have to record all of that again? Tracking down similar sounds to the ones on the albums can’t have been entirely easy, can it?

- Yes, good question. I was thinking hard about that issue, and it was one of the things I was most concerned about when starting up again. The original plan was to have a keyboard player, but seeing Old Man’s Child as the “band” that it is, having as few people involved as possible is the best choice, since all musicians play in other bands etc. And keyboards are a big part of the sound, so in the end I just thought the best idea was to do it all myself and not have to think about that anymore. To be honest, it was a lot of work. I re-did all the keyboards from scratch, and I had to replicate all the old sounds from the 90s keyboards etc., and all those old keyboards are long gone. So, I spent pretty much all winter working on that, but in the end I am certain that was absolutely the best thing and the right choice to do. And it will also make things a lot easier going forward.

I’ve noticed that the majority of the set you’re playing now comes from the first four Old Man’s Child albums. Is it the older material you enjoy playing live the most?

- There are a few reasons for that. We usually only have about an hour to play, and we’ve released several albums over the years. That means we can only include maybe two songs from certain albums at most. And if we didn’t play a couple of tracks from Born of the Flickering, for example, people would definitely be unhappy about that.

So if we add newer songs, some of the older ones have to go, and that’s just how it is.

We did rehearse a few of the newer tracks, but the older songs ended up working better in rehearsal – possibly because they’re a bit less complex, and also because our drummer originally played on many of those tracks, which naturally

Photo: Annlaug Tolo

helps. But we’ll definitely rotate the setlist more over time.

When you look back at the seven albums Old Man’s Child have released, do you have any favourites, or some you’re not quite as fond of?

Are there any tracks that stand out in particular?

- Hmm, I do prefer some albums over the others, of course, but that’s mostly down to the sound of the albums and maybe not just the songs themselves. “Revelation 666” I think has a pretty good sound, and those songs are pretty fun to play live because it is more keyboard-based, so maybe that adds a little more spice to them live, etc.

But they all have something good in them and something bad, and they all sound quite different to each other as well, in my opinion, so it’s a hard question to answer.

What a lot of people are expecting now is of course a new Old Man’s Child album. Is there anything you can share with us on that front?

- Yes, I have been working on and off with that for quite some time now. I have been quite busy this last year with preparing everything for the live stuff, but I have some free time now, so I’m working on that pretty much every day. I have a lot of the material written over the years. It’s just a matter of putting the puzzle together, so to speak, at this point.

Already on "Ill-Natured Spiritual Invasion" from 1998 you played all the instruments yourself, apart from the drums, which were done by Gene Hoglan.

Will it be like that in the future as well, or would

you prefer to have a full band?

- No, I think I will keep it that way. I feel like it really works, since I make everything myself.

I don’t really see the point of having others involved.

Although it would help to have someone to help out in that aspect sometimes, I guess. But who knows – maybe in the future I can get something permanent.

A new Old Man’s Child album definitely bodes well, and we have to go all the way back to 2009 for the last time the band released anything, with the album “Slaves of the World”. That too was an album on which Galder played all the instruments himself, with the exception of the drums, which were handled by Peter Wildoer from Darkane.

So, there is every reason to look forward to what Galder has come up with this time.

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ld Man’s Child already has some pretty massive plans for 2026 at some big festivals, such as Maryland Deathfest, Fortress Festival, Brutal Assault, Graspop and Hellfest. It looks set to be a pretty intense year for Old Man’s Child, with a lot of activity, doesn’t it?

- Yes, I will be quite busy next year; there are other plans for 2026 as well. It feels good to be back and play in front of the fans again. It seems like Old Man’s Child has some pretty dedicated fans who haven't forgotten about the band over all these years, and that is such an honour and humbling feeling that I just want to push it while I still can.

But on to the most important thing. Old Man’s Child playing Inferno for the first time. You’re from Jessheim, which isn’t that far from Oslo, so Inferno is maybe a bit like playing on home turf for you? You’ve played Inferno many times before with Dimmu Borgir. But this will be the first time with Old Man’s Child. What are your expectations?

- Of course, as you said, Inferno is just like playing at home, so I’m really looking forward to that, and it will be one of the highlights next year for us for sure. And it’s a nice way to start off a busy 2026, playing at Inferno as the first concert that year.

And what can the audience expect when Old Man’s Child finally take to the stage at Rockefeller?

- We will try to do our best, as always. We have been playing a few shows now, and it seems to get better and better with each show we’ve done so far, so we are ready to crush. And everyone involved is really looking forward to it.

Those who were lucky enough to catch one of the seven shows Old Man’s Child played in 2025 know exactly what they have to look forward to.

I was one of them, and I can safely say that Old Man’s Child is very likely to be one of the highlights of Inferno Metal Festival 2026. So, there is every reason to be excited.

Old Man’s Child performs at Rockefeller stage Sunday 5th of April 21.15.

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MORK

- PRIMAL INSTINCT By: Runar Pettersen

THE NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL BAND MORK HAS NOW BEEN GOING FOR OVER 20 YEARS. BUT DESPITE THE BAND STARTING BACK IN 2004, THEIR DEBUT ALBUM “ISEBAKKE” DID NOT COME OUT UNTIL 2013 – NINE YEARS LATER. SINCE THEN, A LOT HAS HAPPENED, AND IN 2024 THE BAND RELEASED THEIR SEVENTH ALBUM, SIMPLY TITLED “SYV”, WHICH MEANS “SEVEN” IN ENGLISH. THROUGHOUT IT ALL, MORK HAS BEEN LED BY THOMAS ERIKSEN, AND INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL HAS BECOME AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE BAND’S HISTORY, WITH MORK NOW APPEARING AT THE FESTIVAL FOR THE FOURTH TIME, THIS TIME ON THE MAIN STAGE. WHAT INFERNO MEANS TO MORK IS SOMETHING WE WILL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHEN WE CATCH UP WITH THOMAS HIMSELF ON A COLD NOVEMBER DAY.

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o understand Mork, we have to go back in time to when Thomas started the band as a one-man project, so let’s go back to Halden in the early 2000s.

Mork had a slow start, and between 2004 and 2013 only one demo was released before the debut album came out. However, in recent years the albums have been coming at regular intervals.

What do you think caused that slow start, and what has made you so much more active in recent years?

- In the beginning, black metal – or what would eventually become Mork – was a curiosity I dabbled with on the side, or in the shadows, if you will. I recorded a batch of songs under the name Skrotum, which has never surfaced, and one recorded jam with current Mork guitarist Alex Bruun under the name Skogdjup. After recording and “releasing” (DIY CD-R to close friends) “Rota til ondskap”, I actually put together and recorded a follow-up

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EP titled “Av jord er vi kommet”, which was never finished or released, although it contained quite a few awesome riffs. I’m considering dusting some of those off these days – either for Mork or even for Udåd.

A couple of years after that, I began writing and recording an album for Mork. Tons of cool riffs.

I’ve re-recorded a couple of those tracks, which have been waiting for a proper place on a Mork release. One of them can now be heard on the “Syv” album under the title “Til Syvende Og Sist”.

Just before creating “Isebakke” in 2013, I also demoed a bunch of more technical and symphonic tracks that were never used – well, one verse riff will be on the upcoming Mork album. I’ve reached the point where riffs that are 15–20 years old sound fresh to my ears again, which is rewarding.

That was a lot of pre-“Isebakke” talk, but it shows that I was actually quite busy. The reason Mork became a priority outwardly in 2013 is simple: it was time for me to go all-in and follow this path

at that point in my life.

Mork has spent a lot of time playing outside Europe, which is quite unusual for smaller Norwegian bands. You’ve been to Japan, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Argentina, India and Uruguay, and you’re going to Mongolia. It can hardly be a moneyspinner to play shows that far away and in some of those places, so what is it that drives you to play so far from home and in such unusual countries for Norwegian black metal?

- We never come home empty-handed. That’s our rule: we don’t lose money doing this. For me personally, it’s all about traveling and seeing the world. In 2004, I would never have imagined that Mork would take me to the ancient temples in Kathmandu, across the streets of Shibuya, or drinking Jack and Cokes in Lemmy’s old apartment building down the street from the Rainbow.

If everything goes to plan, we’ll cross off yet another continent in January by visiting Australia.

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Is there a big difference between playing in the way Inferno builds bands and gives them their n recent years Mork has been releasing countries in Asia and South America and playing due. As I mentioned earlier, that’s why Inferno is a records at intervals of one to two years, which in Norway? great festival. suggests it might not be long until Mork’s - For me, it’s just different cultures and lanWe treat our spot with respect and will deliver eighth album. Do you have anything in the works? guages, basically. But of course, a band full of a show that goes beyond anything we’ve done - Album number eight is in the final days of mixNorwegians is more exotic in a country far away before. This one is special for us – one for the ing as we speak. Soon we’ll move into mastering. than we are at home. Still, you have black metal books.

The next step in the Mork saga. Exciting things admirers all over the world, which proves how Since last time, you’ve brought in Asgeir Mickelson ahead – without doubt the best work yet. We aim special and hard-hitting this genre is – it really on drums, which is a bit fun for us at Inferno, as to unveil it in time for Inferno 2026. touches people. he is the one who does the design for us. How did You also have a couple of other bands you’re But you mention that you were in Lemmy’s this collaboration come about? involved with, such as Udåd and The Deathtrip. apartment drinking Jack Daniel’s. What was that - Here we go again with the Inferno connection What is happening with those bands these days? about? Are you talking about Harratt Towers – I actually got to know him at the festival. Just - The Deathtrip is the band of Peaceville now? How did you end up there? hanging around at the roof bar, as you do. One Records’ label manager. I was asked to contribute - Mind you, this was a couple of years after he year he approached me and said I should let him bass on the second album, and that’s about the passed. When we played Las Vegas, San Diego know if we ever needed a drummer. I can’t remember extent of my involvement. Great album, by the way and Los Angeles in 2019, we spent a lot of time at if it was a year earlier or not, but in 2019 we did – “Demon Solar Totem” (2019). the Rainbow. We even rented the Rainbow need a stand-in behind the kit. Asgeir played two Returning to the Inferno connection, Udåd Airbnb, which is in the same yard as the legshows in England and one in Italy with us. Since debuted live at the festival this year (2025). I’ve endary bar. While there, we got to know a lady then he’s been on standby as backup if needed. been working on the second album for a while who happened to live at Harratt Towers. So, we About a year ago he reminded me he wanted to now. Since the music and approach are so ended up having drinks at her apartment as well play, but all shows naturally had to go to our thendifferent from Mork, I need to be in a certain state as visiting the late Lemmy’s door, of course. We current drummer (Malignant). Shortly after, purely of mind to work on it. So, the creative process for even had a pool party there one of the last days, by coincidence, our old drummer departed, and Udåd happens every full moon, so to speak. I’m as the apartment building actually has a pool as Asgeir was asked to take the position. getting close to having enough songs for an album. well. It was fun being able to see the Sunset Strip, He performs on the new Mork album. And of Everything has to be just right – atmosphere, riffs, even though we are way past its glory days. I got sound, and most importantly mindset. to see a gig with original AC/DC Finally, I’m wondering about singer Dave Evans at the Whisky something, because Mork clearly a Go Go, too. I also had a drink at has its roots in Norwegian black “WE TREAT OUR SPOT WITH RESPECT AND WILL DELIVER A SHOW the Comedy Store one night, as I metal, from the sound to the artTHAT GOES BEYOND ANYTHING WE’VE DONE BEFORE.” remember Alex and walked the work and corpsepaint, but one whole length of the “Strip”. thing that sets Mork apart is that – THOMAS ERIKSEN ABOUT THE INFERNO SHOW you don’t use a pseudonym. e have to turn to Inferno Was that something you ever and Thomas’s long history with the considered, and if so, why did you decide against it? festival. He has been there as a member course, it earns some cool points that he’s an old - In the very beginning, I did take on a pseudoof the audience, he has played there with his other hitter in the industry – having been part of Testanym, but it never stuck. After some years I realised band Udåd, and he has been a DJ at the festival ment, Borknagar, Ihsahn and Sarke, to mention a – consciously or unconsciously – that it was too several times. few. late to start using one. So, it never happened.

This will be the fourth time Mork plays at Inferno If my sources are correct, Mork’s very first In the end, I’m not pretending to be anything Metal Festival. The first time was in 2016, so ten concert was ten years ago. That was in Poland, other than myself. I use the paint, and the music years ago in 2026. What do you enjoy about playing in Olsztyn, on New Year’s Eve 2015. Is that right? does something to me on stage – a kind of at Inferno?

What was that show like, and what has changed spiritual exercise to reach something within me.

- Playing Inferno was our first goal when we in your live performances since then?

It brings out a primal instinct that allows me to started as a live band. I had been going there for - It was January 30th, at Nowy Andergrant in sing and perform the way I do. I don’t believe years and always thought about how cool it would Olsztyn. Being basically unknown, we thought in anything special, but I admit that some other be to be part of the lineup. Inferno has always it was pretty cool to debut the band outside part of me comes out when I perform. been, in my eyes, a proper place to debut or Norway. Our first drummer was Polish, and he Off stage, though, I’m the same person I’ve showcase a band or project. got us on the bill that night. It was a mini festival always been. Changing from my birth name to When I first met Jan Martin in early summer called Festiwal im. Szymona Czecha, in memory an artist name now would just feel weird to me.

2015, I didn’t quite believe him when he said he of Szymon Czech—an influential producer and What do you think – is it too late? Debate! would consider us. But then, a couple of days after musician in the Polish metal scene. You can I have to dig out the Mork demo “Rota Til my birthday in July, I got the email. Jan Martin actually find a couple of clips from our show on Ondskap” from 2007, which Peaceville Records apologised for missing the exact birthday date but YouTube. later released on vinyl in 2020 and on CD in offered us a spot at the upcoming festival. Since To keep costs down, we borrowed guitars and 2024. On that one Thomas actually calls himself then, we’ve been honoured to return – and to rise basses from a music store in Warsaw, rented a Sathanyr. It’s never too late, as they say. on the schedule and bill each time. Thank you. car, drove to Olsztyn, and slept in the car before Or perhaps we should just stick with Thomas, This time you will be on the main stage, Rockefeller, heading back to the airport. I remember running to keep things simple. In any case, we’d like to opening the festival’s last day. What are your thoughts into Peter from Vader that night – he was puking thank Sathanyr for the chat and we’re looking on that? There is usually a great atmosphere from in the backstage toilet. Our first bassist, Iljadir, forward to Mork tearing it up at Inferno Metal the moment the doors at Rockefeller open. stepped on his own cable and unplugged himself Festival 2026!

- In 2016, we played the second spot at John (without noticing), and forgot how to play certain Dee; in 2019, we played a bit later on the same songs. He fired himself before we even left the Mork performs at Rockefeller stage Sunday 5th of stage; in 2023, we headlined it, and now we’re stage that night. Love the guy to death, but it was April 16.30. moving over to Rockefeller. We really appreciate funny. Good memories!

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PRIMORDIAL - LIVE TO THE END

THE IRISH BAND HAS PLAYED TWO TIMES BEFORE AT NORWAY’S INFERNO FESTIVAL. THIRD TIME’S A CHARM, THEY SAY. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH NETHEMANGA TO LEARN A BIT ABOUT PRIMORDIAL’S RECENT ACTIVITIES, PLAYING LIVE AND IF WE’RE GETTING TOO OLD FOR NEW MUSIC. By: Roy Kristensen

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hen I get in touch with Nemtheanga, vocalist of Primordial, he is in Madrid.

The Irish heathens are playing in Madrid the following day before they head to Portugal for a couple of shows. I guess he doesn’t like the idea of a stressful morning, heading onto a plane, going from the airport to the venue, plug, play and leave, so having a day or two in Madrid works fine.

- Yes, it has been like this for a few years.

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I don't really do these four or five in the morning flights to Dublin or from Dublin. I try and take like a day… sometimes I'll go a day before, sometimes two, and I'll just book myself somewhere.

Every now and again the local promoter will go, “oh fine, I'll pay for another day or two”, and I just chill out on my own. Like today I just got up, I went running around the Royal Palace here in Madrid, I went into town, I went to some traditional Spanish, I don't know, like tapas thing, just reading

my book, just fucking trying to decompress from Dublin a bit. This evening, I have choices, like watching Manchester United – West Ham or go to see Wardruna or something.

How goes it in the Primordial camp these days?

- It's weird, man, it just keeps rolling. I mean, last summer we did almost 20 festivals, maybe 17, 18, and it was the most... We played in America, we played in Mexico, Brazil and South America, and it was one of the busiest summers

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we ever had and one of the most successful lan Averill, aka Nemtheanga, is a man of from ’81 or ’82. But the thing about it was that ones as well. We showed up at festivals that I many opinions. In our conversation we talk there was still great stuff in ’96. thought really wouldn't give a shit about us, you about getting older, about the scene and It’s not to say that I don’t find amazing, good know, Graspop, Summer Breeze, because metal its development, and about how touring is a less new stuff anymore, but every year I find it harder has changed a lot. And I thought that we'd just financially rewarding prospect than many believe, and harder and harder to find 20 albums that I resee what happens. Big... what? Big crowds, unless you are a band on the scale of Metallica or ally love. And honestly, I listened to like 60 of packed tent at Graspop, 15,000 people. And Iron Maiden. Primordial is not quite there, but these records and I thought, is this what passes then, you know, you're just there and you're when I hear people talk about the Irish band or for underground metal now? I don’t know, maybe like, who the fuck are all these bands, you I read about them, I rarely encounter anything music is just too easy to make? You know, how know? Trigger the Bloodshed, Slaughter to negative. And every time I see them live, it is can we say this? My radar is not so far off that I Prevail, Jinjer, I don't know anything. Only always an hour or so of pure heathen joy. don’t know what good metal is anymore. Like, I do Dødheimsgard, who are like a good old bunch - You reach a certain age where you sort of know, and I do make allowances for the fact it’s of friends from the old days. realize that it’s kind of… yeah, it’s kind of about not 1986 anymore, because it’s very hard to comSo I could say it's weird, because you get the being irrelevant and being relevant at the same pete with virgin territory, right? impression that your dot is moving off the radar. time. Somehow, it’s about not giving a fuck, but But then I put on the new Desaster, “Kill All You know that, and it's clear you've had your giving a fuck about the things that you should Idols”, right? Desaster, good old Desaster. Now, moment. For us it was 2007 – 2008 to 2016 – 2017. give a fuck about, and how you separate them I really love old Desaster, and I like some of their But at the same time, you either become cult, all throughout all the years. I don’t know… new albums, but the “Kill All Idols” album, when which is playing to 100 people in the basement, or It’s strange. It’s like, you really appreciate the I put that on, it just smashed all these 56 bands legacy, which is “oh, they're a into next week and I thought, “well, classic band”. We're not big here’s how you do it! This old band of enough to justify becoming legacy fucking old dogs just came and showed “THE SAME GOES FOR WHEN WE’RE PLAYING AT INFERNO. I CAN’T or classic, you know, we're not us!” Most of the new bands I was that big. But we're not small listening to were trying to do whatever THINK OF ANY SHIT GIGS WE’VE EVER HAD IN NORWAY.”” enough to be like, okay, you're that was. Black, thrash, heavy metal - NEMTHEANGA ABOUT THE INFERNO SHOW just going to be in the basement – maybe one or two stuck out a bit, playing to 200 people but I was like, fucking hell, man!

– which there's nothing wrong with.

There’s just so much music, and maybe it is just But at the same time, it's been weird, moments now: “oh fuck, we’re about to go on because it’s too easy to make? Or is it the first because my feeling was that the last album we stage in Brazil” or wherever. There is a law of beginning of my dementia? made, I think it's a great record. But my feeling diminishing returns which states that there are I hope Nemtheanga and Primordial won’t forget was, well, not as many people gave a shit as only X number of times more you will continue to where they need to be at Easter 2026. He says for the previous albums. My sense is that most do this. And when you were 28 or even 38, you just that Primordial have played many times in Norway, bands think that now, because there's just so didn’t think about that. No, you didn’t appreciate it but more or less only at festivals. He doesn’t think much music and so much stuff happening. the same way you do now. When you think about they’ve ever done their own club show. If memory Nemtheanga will, as mentioned, be playing a it, it is because our youth, my friend, is behind us. serves me right, Primordial played in 2007, 2017 and gig in Madrid the evening after our conversation We’ve both passed 50. I take it for granted that now in 2026. What does it take to leave the stage with takes place. But they’re not the only band playing this – at least if Nemtheanga experiences music the impression of having done a really great gig? in the city. the same way I do these days – also applies to - It’s just a very simple communion between - So, I’m in Madrid now; tomorrow we’re listening to music. There’s not really that much yourself and the audience. You can have a great gig playing with Arab Altar, but also Wardruna are that truly gives you those goosebumps anymore? in front of 100 people. Okay, 100 people in a 1,000tonight and last night, and then on Friday there’s - When you go into Spotify, it makes recomcapacity venue isn’t great. I have to say I’m very Bulldozer. Pestilence is playing in Barcelona mendations. You go into the app, and it has a line thankful that Primordial very rarely have shit gigs. and Madrid this weekend, and Groza from with eight new releases. And when you go out and We usually have enough people there who are really Germany are playing. All this in the same three, go back in, it has a different eight and it says Spotify committed and love the band, whether it’s in the four days. And each ticket is 30 – 40 euros, recommends new releases, new stuff. So, I wrote basement of bars where I thought, “okay, I’m going right? And there are more shows happening down 56 new releases, and one day I listened to all to play on the floor, I don’t give a fuck, I’m not too as well. There are at least two or three underof them to make a podcast. Not all the way through proud to, like, drop the gig… fuck it”, or if it is in ground shows. And that’s Madrid. There’s just of course, but one or two songs. And man, I was front of 10,000 or 15,000 people. I don’t mind anyso much of everything all the time. And how do kind of fucking horrified, because it was shite. I more. I’m equipped for both, you know, in terms of you make your space? You’re a little tiny piece felt really low after this, because I thought that I’m conflict. So, I don’t mind that at all. What you want of the thing, you know, especially when you’re not into metal anymore, right? Because it was all is to just move people. What you want is that basic an older band and you just don’t play the social lo-fi shit – kind of black thrash heavy metal, sort of primal, atavistic, animalistic humanity, which is, media games the same way as a younger band black heavy metal – sort of the same kind of artwork, “I’m going to play you a fucking song that I’ve written would. I think the big thing in Primordial has bands I’d never heard of… maybe one in every from whatever place it comes from”. Let’s try and been to just sort of make peace with the fact 15 or 20 I vaguely knew the name of. fuck the modern world, which is telling us to be that, “hey, we’re here in Mexico, there’s fucking So it sounds like the best AI has met the worst abstract and digital. And you don’t just try to get a tons of people, it’s a brilliant festival”. Okay, bands. And honestly, I listened to 56 new bands primal reaction from people, you go out there and we’re not right at the end. We’re second from and then I messaged my friend. I told him I don’t you do your utmost on stage. The same goes for when the end or third from the end or whatever it is. think I give a shit about this stuff anymore. They we’re playing at Inferno. I can’t think of any shit gigs That’s enough. When we met years ago, hanging were mostly one or two out of 10, maybe a couple we’ve ever had in Norway. So, I will go to Inferno, out, we thought all the time about how to make were four out of 10. And then I put on “Seven enjoy being at the festival, meeting old friends, and the next step. There’s a moment when you Churches” or “Darkness Descends”. And I went, do my best to make a perfect Easter Sunday. realise, “okay, you’ve reached the last destina“OK, yeah, I’m still into it”. And I thought to myself, tion with the train. Maybe just get off the train I’m one of those old farts now who are just like Primordial performs at Rockefeller stage Sunday and have a look around”. those I knew in the ’90s who only listened to metal 5th of April 19.30.

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TATTOO FAIR

AT INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL, THE ENERGY DOESN’T STOP AT THE STAGE – EVERY YEAR WE INVITE A BUNCH OF GREAT TATTOO ARTISTS TO ROCKEFELLER, FILLING THE VENUE WITH THEIR DARK CRAFT. MAKE SURE THE EXPERIENCE REALLY SETTLES UNDER YOUR SKIN AND CHECK OUT THE TATTOO ARTISTS BEFORE THE FESTIVAL. FOLLOW US ON IG TO SEE UPDATES FROM OUR ART & TATTOO ACCOUNT: @INFERNOARTANDTATTOOS Alex Impaler (Sweden)

Anubis Lok (China)

Ida Morbida (Sweden)

Alex “Impaler” Friberg has been tattooing for about five years. Together with his wife, Ida Morbida, he runs the Morbid Impalement Tattoo Studio in northern Sweden. Besides his tattoo career, he also has a roughly 20-year-long career as a touring musician, involved with many renowned bands in the death and black metal scene. His preferred style is semi-realism, dark, and Viking/Norse-themed tattoos. Besides tattooing at the Inferno tattoo fair, Alex will also play at Inferno on Sunday with Firespawn.

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Specializing in large-scale, dark illustrative tattoos, her work explores folklore, mythology, and personal symbolism, turning concepts like strength, protection, and inner battles into powerful wearable art. With over a decade of experience, she focuses on creating transformative pieces that are as meaningful as they are visually striking.

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Ida Morbida prefers her motifs heavy on the black.

Unsurprisingly, she channels a lot of inspiration for her work through the vast world of extreme metal.

With more than a decade of experience in tattooing, she founded Morbid Impalement Tattoo Studio with her husband, Alex “Impaler” Friberg, and resides in Umeå, northern Sweden.

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Anabelle (Argentina) A tattoo artist from Argentina, she creates tattoos for true heavy metal maniacs. Specializing in realistic blackwork, she brings album covers, band logos, and portraits to the flesh. She is currently traveling throughout Europe, tattooing wherever the metal scene calls.

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Anders Grucz (Denmark) Anders Grucz is a Copenhagen-based freehand tattoo artist with a formal background in fine art and classical drawing. Over the years, he has developed a distinct dark art style rooted in horror and the surreal, drawing inspiration from the likes of H.R. Giger, Lovecraft and Beksi ski. Anders works primarily on large-scale pieces, building each design directly on the body to create custom tattoos that align naturally with each individual body’s form and movement.

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Jannicke Wiese-Hansen (Norway)

Blekknroll & Manolord (Norway)

Jannicke Wiese-Hansen of Nidhogg Tattoo in Bergen has been tattooing for 30 years. She is best known for her Nordic wood-carved style of tattooing, inspired by Norse history and stave church ornaments. She is also known for her logo designs and cover artwork for the Norwegian black metal scene, having worked with bands like Immortal, Enslaved, Burzum, Orcustus, and Ancient, to name a few.

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Blekknroll and Manolord are two relentless tattoo artists forged in the fires of heavy metal and dark arts. Specializing in blackwork engraving and solid black tattoos, their style is raw, heavy, and unapologetically brutal. With every needle strike, they summon bold, occult-inspired imagery straight from the underground.

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Fabio Branco (Portugal/France)

Marthe DeMons creates textured blackwork rooted in themes of nature and decay. She specializes in freehand work and transformative cover-ups. Marthe works at Høst Tattoo in Moss, just outside Oslo.

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Marthe DeMons (Norway) Born in Portugal, he is a tattoo artist known for his immersive realistic and hyper-realistic pieces.

Fabio is currently tattooing in Valence, France.

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Fleur de Guillotine (France)

Rafel Delalande (Belgium)

An artist from the north of France. His work, traditionally hand-drawn, is inspired by woodcut engraving techniques. His artistic universe draws influence from medieval art, esotericism, and, in a certain way, expressionism.

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Rafel started tattooing in 2002, specialising in dark, Lovecraftian horror, working mostly in black.

He spent the last 11 years in London at Seven Doors Tattoo but recently moved to Ghent, Belgium, for new adventures.

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SAMAEL - TRUE ALPINE BLACK METAL SWISS EDITION

THE SO-CALLED SECOND WAVE OF BLACK METAL IS WIDELY REGARDED AS A NORDIC PHENOMENON WITH NORWAY AT ITS CORE. THIS IS QUITE LIKELY DUE TO THE HUGE ROLE THAT MAYHEM GUITARIST EURONYMOUS AKA ØYSTEIN AARSETH PLAYED AS THE SPIRITUS RECTOR WITHIN THE EVOLVING SCENE AND HIS RECORD STORE HELVETE AS ITS ASSUMED HEADQUARTER. YET BANDS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES WERE ALSO INVOLVED IN THE FORMATION OF THIS HARSH MUSICAL STYLE, AND PARTICULARLY SAMAEL FROM SION, OR SITTEN IN GERMAN, FROM THE VALLEY OF THE RHÔNE IN THE FRANCOPHONE CANTON OF VALAIS IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CONSIDERED AS A CANONICAL ACT. By: Gunnar Sauermann

Nordic Connection they would face terrible consequences. Luckily, Right from the start in 1987, when guitarist and Samael were spared from such preposterous vocalist Vorphalack played around with his friend missives. “It probably helped us that Euronymous Pat Charvet on drums, who was replaced the next championed our band in Norway", the stylish year by the former's brother Xytraguptor, later Xy, frontman speculates. "He was pushing our releases the Swiss went their own way. This means that in his shop and Euronymous had even ordered Samael never adopted the characteristic 'Norwegian' one hundred copies of our EP 'Medieval Prophecy' guitar sound; as first heard and often copied from in 1989. We also never claimed or tried to be a Thorns mastermind Snorre Ruch, for example. General relations between the Swiss and the Norsemen also seem to have been somewhat mixed “ALL THAT I CAN TELL AT THIS POINT IS TO EXPECT in those early days: "If I remember A 360° PANORAMA OF OUR MUSIC.” correctly, our first physical appearance in Oslo was at Rockefeller during - VORPH ABOUT THE INFERNO SHOW our 'Passage Tour' with Moonspell and Rotting Christ in 1996", Vorph recalls.

"We had hoped to meet many of those people in the scene that we used to write letters to and part of that or any other scene, and it seems that trade tapes with, but only the guys from Dimmu we had his blessing for it." According to Vorph, Borgir kindly showed up." The mystery will most they had often traded with Euronymous, with likely never be solved, but the glaring absence of whom they also exchanged letters, after Aggressor local musicians at that time could still be traced to frontman Alex Colin-Tocquaine had introduced the idea of a black metal purity law that lingered them to Mayhem’s music while they were touring from the early, wild days of the scene. Their together in the South of France. "His letters always Portuguese tour fellows Moonspell had even arrived written by hand and Euronymous was defreceived the same kind of letters as Cradle of Filth initely our touchstone in Norway", he adds. There in the UK. Both received warnings to cease and is also the often-quoted story that Samael were desist from playing untrue black metal or else on the exclusive list of people that Euronymous 28

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had mailed a piece of skull bone from Mayhem's Swedish vocalist Per Yngve "Dead" Ohlin, after the latter had literally blown his own brains out with a shotgun. "Back in the days, I had never met Mayhem in person, but our former bass player had, and he was the one, who had received that infamous fragment of Dead's skull, people still ask us about", the Swiss vocalist puts a diplomatic distance between himself and the gruesome affair. "I have no idea where the piece ended up, and I doubt that Masmiseîm still has it."

German matters Beyond exchanging general ideas with Euronymous in letters, Samael do not consider Mayhem as a musical influence. According to Vorph, they were influenced by Bathory and Venom in the early days – which are the common ancestors of about every band in this stylistic clade of musical evolution. "The KISS single, 'I Was Made for Lovin' You', was the first vinyl record that I ever owned", Vorph admits with a smile. Of course, there is a third massive pillar upon which the whole black metal genre rests that is also much closer to home for Samael: Celtic Frost, which is for brevity's sake including their predecessor Hellhammer here. "As Celtic Frost came from the German part of Switzerland,

Photo: Cyril Perregaux

we were hardly in contact at the beginning", the francophone musician explains. "The first time that I had ever met Tom G. Warrior and Martin Eric Ain in person was at a Slayer show. We even asked Martin to produce our first album, but he told us that he had no interest in production. He did end up correcting the lyrics of 'Worship Him' though." Speaking of the language barrier, it appears that looking from the outside at the country as if there was a tendency for the German speaking areas of Switzerland to lean more towards classical heavy metal, while the French part rather embraces a darker and more progressive taste in extreme music – which was also reflected in the sadly only short-lived Swiss edition of the Inferno Festival in Lausanne. "This could be kind of true although we were quite soon also present in the German part", Vorph signals careful agreement. "We had also already played in France quite a bit before we made it to Germany for the first time in 1989." From any band that has been successfully around for such a long time as

Samael there is obviously a strong demand for classic material, which the Swiss have repeatedly satisfied with performances of their third album 'Ceremony of Opposites' that marked the culmination of their Alpine brand of black metal in 1994 and the exact opposite with the 1996 full-length 'Passage', which was breaking new ground and opening up for new ways to express Luciferian musical darkness by incorporating industrial elements and switching to electronic drums – and that became a huge fan favourite. "We don't see any problem in giving our fans what they obviously want, but it is also great to release new material", Vorph shows that he has found a working balance. "And after 30 years, most people have by now accepted the electronic drum, but I understand that others had problems with it since the first day or don't want to follow us along that path. Well, this is how we do it. It is also harder for me, because a drum machine means that any timing mistakes are definitely my own."

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amael have also freshly released a standalone single entitled 'Black Matter Manifesto', which is beautifully combining the fierce harshness of old with the current monumental sound of the band. If this is any indication of the direction, which the next album of the Swiss will take and that they have been working on for about 8 years, their fans are most definitely in for a delicious treat.

This raises the question whether Samael will perform brand new material at Inferno. "We have not planned our setlist so far, but the new album will not have been released yet even though it could already be finished by next Easter", Vorph is not willing to spill a spoiler. "All that I can tell at this point is to expect a 360° panorama of our music." This promise alone would provide an excellent reason to make sure not to miss Samael on stage but let us keep our fingers crossed invertedly that these Satanic Easter bunnies drop those super fresh black eggs, too!

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NESTEN 100 ÅR I MUSIKKENS TJENESTE

TONO-lisensen gjør at konsertarrangører, TV- og radiokanaler, strømmetjenester, butikker m.m. kan skape verdifulle musikkopplevelser, og samtidig vite at de som skriver musikken og tekstene får betalt.

I 2024 utbetalte vi 375 millioner kroner til norske låtskrivere, komponister, tekstforfattere og musikkforlag.

Vi delte ut 15 millioner kroner i stipender.

Våre sponsorater bidro til gjennomføringen av by:Larm, Vill Vill Vest, Spellemann, en rekke låtskrivercamper og andre arenaer over hele landet der musikk skapes, spilles, lever og vokser. I år er vi med som stolt sponsor av Inferno.

Musikk er verdifullt og må tas vare på.

Det har vi gjort med stolthet siden 1928.

TONO – verdi for alle som skaper og bruker musikk.

Les mer her:

INFERNO MUSIC CONFERENCE IS A TIME HONOURED TRADITION THAT GOES HAND IN HAND WITH INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL AND RUNS WEDNESDAY MARCH 31. – APRIL 4. OF NEXT YEAR. 2026 MARKS THE 20TH YEAR OF INFERNO MUSIC CONFERENCE AND WHILE WE’VE BEEN QUIET, DON’T MISTAKE THAT FOR LACK OF PRODUCTIVITY! AND YES, WE KNOW THE WEBSITE NEEDS TO BE UPDATED, HAHAHA!

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e’ve been working hard and going through your feedback from the 2025 edition and have a lot of amazing things in the works for you.

Combo tickets are available on the Inferno Metal Festival webpage at a very special price point. Be sure to purchase your tickets at this rate before it’s too late. It includes the four days Festival pass, as well as full access to the IMC. This means all Delegate events including panels, instrument clinics (normally a separate charge that costs more than the pass alone), the special Delegate VIP Bar, access to a special delegate only concert, our now annual “Not Quite a Yacht Rock Cruise”; a two and a half hour cruise of the fjords, and more!

We welcome all industry folks to join us for the absolute best event for heavy and extreme metal networking. Fans alike who are interested in learning more about the people behind the scenes of your favourite music or just want to support the conference and have access to the clinics and extra perks are also welcome. Ok, that’s the sales pitch done. Now onto the good stuff! Here are some things you can expect from this edition:

VIP Delegate Bar Goldie will host us ,once again, as the exclusive delegate bar. Located right next to Rockefeller, this is your place for meetings, emailing, phone calls, or simply a brief escape to regroup without having to go all the way back to the hotel. This allows you to still be super close to the action so that when you are ready for the next gig, you need only walk a few meters to get back.

Only accessible with a delegate pass.

By: Erin and Andrew

Speed Meetings Are you in a band and completely overwhelmed with the ins and outs of the business? Are you an aspiring promoter? Agent? Manager? Or do you have general burning questions that need an answer? We will have Speed Meetings with an expert panel from fields of management, publishing, label, promoter and booking . This will only be available to delegate pass holders and is available on a first come, first served basis. This is your chance to ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask and get some proper advice.

Warm-Up Party No IMC would be complete without our annual mingle at Salt on Wednesday.

Join us once again, to kick off the party and the start of the festival season over some drinks, talks and laughs. Meet the people you’ve only been emailing with face to face. Network, make deals, hug your foreign colleagues and discuss future plans. Afterwards, stay and mingle or move over to the music hall for a special show. Need to move on? Vaterland and Goldie have live music starting at 21:00 to prepare your ears for what’s to come once IMF kicks off on Thursday.

Panels Thursday and Friday, after the best hotel breakfast you will ever have in your life, head on down to the lobby Learn from our panels of experts as we cover trending issues in our industry, festival presentations, career talks with high profile people, genre relevant topic, etc. Featuring ten panels each day, there is something for everyone.

Instrument Clinics Every year, we feature prominent musicians to tell us about their gear and techniques, regale us with personal stories across the span of their career, and show you how they play your favourite songs. Afterwards, you have a chance to ask all of your burning questions and partake in an exclusive meet and greet. While instrument clinics require a separate ticket, as a delegate you have access to these events. Limited external tickets are available for these.

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WWW.INFERNOFESTIVAL.NET

Special concert(s) Last year, we had 2 very exclusive concert for delegates at the Vigeland Mausoleum, featuring Sylvaine. Only 30 tickets were available each day and those who attended were treated to a once in a lifetime experience.

This year, we will hold another very special, exclusive concert that you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned!

Photo: Aleksansder Søberg

Not Quite a Yacht Rock Cruise A new favourite among those who attended last year, your delegate pass gives you access to a two and a half hour cruise of the Fjords on Sunday.

What better way to gear up for the final day of Inferno Metal Festival than by an early afternoon boat ride. No blast beats on this trip though. Just the soothing sounds of Yacht Rock as our captain points out the sights along the water.

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o, pick up your combo pass today for the full package. These combo tickets are limited. You can of course buy a Conference only pass on the webpage as well or through Ticketmaster. We recommend getting in the whole experience though so book your stay March 31st – April 5th to take in absolutely everything the Conference has to offer.

There is so much more in store for IMC 2026 so keep an eye on socials for updates and announcements. We can’t wait to see you there!

For more information visit infernomusicconference.com

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BEST VIEW OF THE OSLOFJORD

xperience Oslo’s winter wonderland on a guided hike high above the fjord, with spikes for safe walking in the snow. We meet at Clarion The Hub and take the Frognerseteren metro line up into the forest, enjoying the unfolding views of the city and Oslofjord. From Frognerseteren station we follow quiet winter

trails past frozen ponds and up to the cosy Norwegian cabin Fuglemyrhytta, where your guide explains the role of such cabins in Norwegian outdoor life. The hike continues through snowladen forest to the highlight of the trip: the summit of Vettakollen, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Oslo and the fjord. Here we take a break,

enjoy the crisp winter air and a true moment of Norwegian “hygge” before heading back down to the metro and returning to Clarion The Hub.

www.wheninnorway.no/ tour/winter-oslofjord-view WWW.INFERNOFESTIVAL.NET

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CLARION HOTEL THE HUB

INFERNO HOTEL

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s usual, we will all gather at the official festival hotel, Clarion Hotel The Hub, for events, partying and a good night’s sleep.

The Inferno Music Conference will take place at the hotel during the day. The Hub boasts Oslo’s best location, right in the city centre, next to Oslo Central Station and the Airport Express Train – and only about a five- to ten-minute walk to all the venues. No expensive taxi rides!

The special Inferno discount price is valid for the period from 29. March to 6. April 2026. Extend your stay and experience Oslo!

Standard Double Room With View

Standard rooms with a view are located on the hotel's top floors (floors 9-15). The rooms (min. 19sqm) have one double bed (160cm), as well as a spacious bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer and Rituals toiletries. All our standard rooms feature modern technology and innovative solutions, something that is a key feature of the entire hotel.

1 person: 1 290 NOK 2 people: 1 490 NOK (745 NOK per person)

Superior Double Room Standard Double Room Standard double rooms (19-22 sqm) have everything you might need during your stay and more!

The rooms either have a queen size double bed (160cm) or two single beds (105cm), as well as carefully chosen, modern décor. Please note that it is not possible to request extra beds in these rooms.

1 person: 1 290 NOK 2 people: 1 490 NOK (745 NOK per person)

Superior double rooms (24-29 sqm) are nice and spacious with lots of smart solutions! The fabulous interior design provides a wonderfully cosy atmosphere in these rooms. The rooms either have a queen size double bed (160cm) or two single beds (105cm), as well as carefully chosen, modern décor.

1 person: 1 590 NOK 2 people: 1 790 NOK (895 NOK per person)

Deluxe Double Room Deluxe double rooms (from 30 sqm) have everything you might need and more! The rooms vary in shape and size, and some have a balcony or terrace. Some of the rooms have a convenient workspace with a desk and chair, as well as a spacious bathroom with a hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, Rituals toiletries, and a shower or bath.

1 person: 1 890 NOK 2 people: 2 090 NOK (1 045 NOK per person)

Deluxe Twin Room The wonderfully spacious deluxe double rooms (30-40 sqm) have everything you might need and more! All the rooms feature a queen size double bed (160cm) with large pillows for added comfort, and we can provide an extra bed if required.

Our deluxe double rooms feature high-tech equipment including smart TVs with a streaming function and a convenient workspace with desk or a lounge area.

1 person: 3 349 NOK 2 people: 3 549 NOK (1 774,50 NOK per person)

Family Room Max. 4 people. Family rooms are spacious with plenty of room for a double bed and a sofa bed for either one or two people. The room is equipped with a coffee machine, minibar, hairdryer, luxurious down duvet, pillow, 55” smart TV with media streaming, iron and ironing board, and free WiFi. This room is suitable for up to 4 people, or for 1-2 people seeking extra spacious accommodation.

1-4 people: from 3 549 NOK

Suite The suites offer wonderfully spacious accommodation with a separate bedroom for a truly luxurious stay! Our suites (from 46 sqm) feature elegant décor and unique furnishings. Each room has a king size double bed (160cm) and a bathroom with a shower, hairdryer, Rituals toiletries, bathrobes and slippers. Amenities include a coffee machine, minibar, 55” smart TV with media streaming, and ironing facilities.

1-4 people: 7 699 NOK Facilities on all rooms: Free full breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Mini bar These prices will increase from January 2nd.

Go to www.nordicchoicehotels.com/hotell/ ?search=inferno-no to order and make sure the discount/booking code INFERNO is enabled to get the correct festival prices.

WWW.INFERNOFESTIVAL.NET

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