INFERNOFEST 2026 Norwey

It hurts to write this, but it has been 15 years since I last visited the Inferno festival in Oslo. Last year I saw all the photos passing by of friends having a great time, great bands playing, etc. and I knew I had to go back.

So, I told a certain musician: IF you play next year, I will be there! Last summer they got announced and of course, I kept the promise I made. So here I am, back in Oslo and at the festival.

The trip towards Oslo didn’t go well, I had tickets to attend the pre party “A tribute to Darkthrone”, doors opened at 7PM, gig would start at 8.30PM. I exactly arrived 15 min before start due a lot of issues getting from Belgium to Norway. But so glad my friend and I made it. THIS was really unique! Specially with all the different musicians. Hearing Darkthrone live, even if it isn’t the band, it stays unique. I hope this will happen again in the future! No surprise at all that this was sold out in no
time! I bet if they had booked a way bigger venue, they would have sold out also!
The actual venue was rather small but it felt more “intimate” kind gig. GREAT success for a pre party. From the pre party, I went to the after party at the Crow Bar.
Really nice bar, with micro brewed beer. Totally worth the extra money, we all know how expensive Norway is, but this beer was so good!

It was nice meeting so many friends there, people I hadn’t seen in ages, some only a few weeks to months ago. Meeting new people. And this also concludes the first day.

On Thursday, I bought a ticket to join the “Black Metal Sightseeing” with AndersOdden. I remember 16 years ago, when he organised it, I was there, it was very interesting and I was curious to see it once more. A few of the things we did back then were changed into new elements, which was of course very nice for me to experience! But you can see the whole sightseeing, as a trip through some of Mayhem’s history. And we were the lucky group, who could not only see the wooden
church from the outside, but also from the inside! Saw an original part of the place that didn’t go up in flames when it was burned down in the 90’s. We even had some black metal weather, better known as snow. Which gave a finishing touch to the whole sightseeing adventure. I can only recommend this so much to join, if it happens again! Even got a cool shirt made in limited edition, guess you can guess what was on it? Of course! A burning church.

After our return it was finally time for the first day of the festival. I just arrived in time when the first band was about to start. Don’t expect me to write about the bands into detail, I think enough people do this already. I rather write about experiencing this festival. But a few words about the bands playing. 1914 opened the festival, it was a band I heard of but had never seen before, but we support the Ukrainian bands of course!

Forsmán, was opening the gigs at the second (smaller) stage. The place is rather small and the photo pit even smaller (but hey we survived!), so never stayed very long when I saw the place was too packed.

Svarttjern, is one of the few bands I did see live before, so I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed by these guys, and I wasn’t!

The next band I watched was Incantation, have seen these guys a few times before, and even though my taste in this genre is limited, I can dig these guys though. Hulder was really nice, but again, I sadly felt a bit claustrophobic at the small stage.
Probably due the amount of people also, so sadly didn’t see the whole gig.

Last band for the evening (at least for me) was Tormentor. With Attila on vocals, you already know in advance you will like this. And it was really nice to finally see this band live.

A little bit about the venues before moving to the next day.

The venue has two locations, Rockenfeller, main venue and John Dee, the small club. I couldn’t remember how John Dee was, but entering Rockenfeller, felt like it had been yesterday.

And for anyone like me who isn’t super tall and wants to enjoy the gig not standing behind a tall Norwegian, Rockenfeller has different levels where you can watch the band from! On the first level there are also limited places to sit at a table. But you can bet those are quickly gone.

On Friday I started the day with some I(nferno) M(usic) C(onference) panels, “Head B*tch in charge”, a very interesting panel with women in the music industry. We all know that as a woman, it isn’t easy in a mainly man’s world. Very inspiring, as a photographer myself, I have been wondering many times to continue or not, as they do look different at you (not all but it happens more than it should). Hearing these amazing people, it gave me a lot of fuel to continue! After that I headed on to a panel about Ukrainian metal “from underground shelters to global stages”. Props to the guy for standing there alone in front of us all explaining. It was interesting to hear how music got out there, how it grew towards Europe, sadly at the point they finally made it, we all know what happened, the war. So, let’s hope that soon enough they can start rebuilding it all.

From the panels, back to the venues for day 2 of the festival. I have to admit, this will be my favourite day of the festival. What else when one of your favourite bands is playing and another band you have been a long-time fan of.

Today I stayed in Rockenfeller for the bands, I have to admit I was a bit hyped about two bands close to my heart I was going to see today, especially when it is in their home country!

Funeral was a nice start but not really my kind of music, so I decided to take a look in the hall where you can get a tattoo. Have to be honest, didn’t go watch too close, because chances were big, I would walk out with a new tattoo. There was also a stand of ESP guitars, but as I’m more of a drum kind of person, I just stared on how beautiful they looked. You could also win one!

There was also a stand about drum pedals, but I rather see the instrument in it’s hole.

For the fans, there was a place to do some meet & greets with the bands, not all of course, a selected few. If you wanted, you could get your items signed or take a photo with the musician / band.

Múr, was very interesting. Music from Iceland is always something different then therest if you ask me?

I can’t say the years it has been that I saw Der Weg Einer Freiheit live, for some reason there was always something I missed out. Luckily, this time the odds were in my favour. And they are still as good as I could remember!

And then, finally time for the band I had been waiting for, the reason for me to return to Oslo, The Kovenant! I have been trying to do my best to see them as much as possible since their return. I saw their last gig back in 2010 at the Inferno festival also. Full circle! Co-incidence or not, this was my 6 the time seeing them, since the return. They were amazing.

Talking about amazing, the next band has been one of those bands that got me into black metal to start with, who else then Mayhem! The fact this is already my 6 th time seeing them this year, says enough. The new album slays and the gigs have been amazing, tonight was not different, they blew the place away. (Don’t worry they didn’t burn anything).

On Saturday I did the clinic with both guitar players in Mayhem, Ghul & Teloch. It was very interesting with a good sense of British vs Norwegian humour. Who knew right?

They played us a few songs; people could ask some questions and afterwards there was a chance to get some stuff signed and have a photo taken. Apart from that, I have to mention the kid, or should I say teenager who was there. He had some questions and knew probably more about it all then the whole place of us together. I think everyone in that room was surprised about what this kid had to say. He also had his own band already, if anyone remembers the name, drop me a message!
Would love to check it out, the new generation is coming!!!

Starting Saturday evening with some Darvaza, they were crazy and I totally loved it!
The next band I saw only a few months ago at a local fest here in Belgium, and it was nice to see they were playing here too. I guess Whoredom Rife doesn’t need any introduction? Always a joy to watch! I have seen Samael quite a few times, but for some reason, after a few songs, I’m fine with it and move on. Personal taste, I guess?

Kanonenfieber, I guess it has been quite a few years that I saw these guys also, back at a small festival in Belgium. When they hadn’t been around for that long? (correct me if I’m wrong). They sure as hell didn’t have the show they brought that night, for sure! I love we finally had some pyro!!! I had been wondering if it was allowed. Guess that question is answered now also.

The night was closed with Enslaved. Stayed for a few songs and called it for once an early night.

Can’t believe we are at the last day already. Started Sunday with “Not quite a Yacht, rock cruise”. This was such a pleasure to do. Just sitting relaxing, talking to people, while enjoying great views! Shame there was some rain & mist. But gloomy weather just makes it more typical Norway that time of the year.

Starting the last festival day with Mork, something I was looking forward to. I had seen them before and well this is way up my alley of course. Audn was something very special. Those guys looked like they had something important to attend, but why the hell not? Sharp dressed men!

Watched a little bit of Perchta, just the whole image on stage, crazy! I knew I would dig it when I saw it.

Can’t mention the times I have seen Primordial live, more than ten times at least. But someone of that band told me once, that once shouldn’t see a band that much.
Maybe he has changed his mind? Because any band worth it, I honestly don’t care how many times I see them live. Seeing Kim Holm draw them during their set just gave it something extra. If you don’t know who this guy is, do Google him and check out his art, it’s so amazing!

Old Man’s Child, wow, this was once of the first concerts I ever saw when I was still very young. So, this was a return I was looking forward to, and it was a good return.
Seeing Galder on that stage, still same guy as when he played in another certain band.
Looking forward to see more of this.

Last band of the evening and festival was Deicide, as I said before, not the biggest fan of this genre, but a song or two was ok.

I would like to say a few words of gratitude to the whole crew. These people deserve a THANK YOU also! Anyone I spoke to, to ask something, they were all so kind, friendly and helpful! So, this is more than worth mentioning!!!
The legacy of this festival is ensured for sure. It took me long enough to come back, but I’m sure I won’t stay away from this festival for long, let’s say next year?

Review and photos by Eve Ov Beer Photo