Day 1

Taakeferd was the lucky band to welcome Norwegian and foreign metalheads to the fifth Inferno Festival in Oslo in 2005. As the years before this, for some people, provocative annual event in the Easter week took place at Rockefeller Concert Hall.
Taakeferd is black metal band from the northern parts of Norway, and gave the Fest a convincingly good start. I was positively surprised by the band’s performance as they delivered a worthy gig, and as already mentioned – a good start for the festival. Still, I’m glad they didn’t put on a gig that lasted longer. A longer show could easily have become a bit dull in the end… But I will definitely stay tuned for more from this fine Norwegian band.

Quite a few metal heads probably know Chton already because of Torsteins (rhythm-guitarist) contributions in Manes (Code666) from Trondheim, Norway.
I’ve heard Chton been mentioned by many, and I spent some time listening to their debut “Chtonian Lifecode” when it was released in 2004. But I have to admit that I don’t find Chton astoundingly unique, but if you’re into death-metal it’s still a band worth checking out. The concert was close to become a bit boring, and as for me I definitely prefer listening to Chton on record instead of from a stage…

Nebular Mystic is a band I’m know, although I hadn’t heard their music until this evening. They did a concert at “Under the black sun”-festival in Germany in 2000 and after that they’ve done some live shows in Norway. As this was one of the few black metal bands of this kind, attending to the festival, I was looking forward to the gig. Even though I wasn’t exactly astonished by their performance, they delivered the goods as expected!

Next one up wasn’t – and still isn’t - my cup of tea at all. It’s not long since I reviewed Mortiis latest album “The Grudge”, so I kinda knew what this gig would be like. I guess that most of the audience present knew it as well, and those who didn’t was probably a bit shocked when the whole thing started. The sound wasn’t the best and the same has to be said about Mortiis’ vocals. And I keep wondering; what the h… was Mortiis doing at an extreme metal festival like Inferno!?

Inferno Festival 2005 was also my first encounter with Gorelord. I've heard about the band before, of course, but never got to check them out more closely. This is actually Frediablo’s first band playing at Inferno Festival, and I got to admit that this guy really looks like he owns the stage. To me the music wasn’t that appealing, and I was looking more forward to see him with Grimfist…

Apollyon and Vortex are two names that came up multiple times in the lists of bands this year as Apollyon also played in Aura Noir and Vortex in Arcturus. Lamented Souls is a band I like a lot, and they were a good alternative band at this festival. Apart from all the extreme metal bands, Lamented Souls plays a groovier rock-style variety, which fits perfect with Vortex` clean vocals! The best part of the band’s show was when they played the songs “Var” and “Hybris”, and I would really like to see them live again sometime soon!

After Lamented Souls I headed downstairs to John Dee to see the Estonian demo band Horricane. They were a totally new band for me, and they played a death metal style (as most other bands at Inferno). This band didn’t give me much at all. I didn’t have any expectations for this band and I wasn’t actually surprised either.

The time had come for some Swedish Vikings to enter the stage. To be honest, Amon Amarth has never struck me on record, but still I enjoyed their gig. I don’t really think that the music has any Viking influences to talk about at all. It’s more related to death metal with some Gothenburg-metal influences, and it’s the most melodic parts in their songs I enjoy the most. Amon Amarth definitely looks great on stage and the audience obviously enjoyed this gig a lot! Several songs were played this evening, and I think most of the fans and the band itself was happy with the show.

There was even a Danish band at the festival; Hatesphere. They had the honor to play the last gig before Morbid Angel got on. The music from the Danes was brutal thrash metal, and I enjoyed the gig pretty much. More thrash to Inferno 2006, ok?

I have only a few Morbid Angel records, but I can’t say that this style of extreme metal is my favorite music in metal, So I wasn’t looking as much forward to this gig as I think many others did. The American morbid metal angels look really great, of course, on stage fronted by David Vincent (which is back in the band). It was good, some would probably say it was “the best ever” or something like that, but as I said; it just don’t appeal to me. I think most fans that had come to see Morbid Angel thought it was a great gig – no matter what, if you know what I mean…

Band of the day: Taakeferd

-Jan F. Lindsø


We in Beat the Blizzard decided to review all three of the main attractions during Inferno 2005 together, and first band to receive a two-piece review is Morbid Angel. I have heard a lot about this band, but I haven’t listened too much to what these “legends” have created of brutalized music. As you will undoubtedly discover in my reviews of the festival you’ll see that I don’t like everything, and when I don’t like a show or a bands performance I write that. I don’t care if they are “so-called” legends or metal celebrities or of new-be bands. Morbid Angel is one of these legends or celebrity bands. I can’t stand them on CD, and can’t stand them when I see them in a live setting. At Inferno they did a fairly good show with a fairly good attitude. So much I can see and understand. This is music for the fans, no more, no less. But for people that like Morbid Angel this must have been a superbly great concert...or??!! Yeah, I guess so…

Band of the day: Amon Amarth

-Nash Rothanburg


Day 2

Slogstorm from the northern parts of Norway probably draws a lot of attention because of their image and lyrical concept. I bet that the fishing-history from the north have inspired them a lot, as the vocalist was holding a fishing-tool in his hands during the concert. A lot of people would possibly think that the concept is just stupid, but when they have song titles such as “Lossing av lik”(Unloading bodies), you’ll understand that it’s not fish they’re fishing for. For me the white, bloody clothes and fishing tools would fit perfect for a horror-movie, and I don’t think it’s just meant for a joke from Slogstorm. The sound was so-so, but their concert was saved by really good and catchy songs, and it was hard for the audience to stand still during this gig.

After the trading death of their frontman, Windir decided to break up the band. But all the remaining members wanted to go on with their musical work and decided to form Vreid. Their style is a bit different from Windir, but not into a totally new direction. At this years Inferno Vreid did a quite good concert. The sound wasn’t as good as at the last Windir concert I was at and I think it’s a shame that the best response from the audience was on the covers of Windir’s “Destroy” and Immortal’s “As the Eternity Opens”. I think Vreid have a good handful of really good songs such as “Wrath of Mine” and “Raped by Light” that deserved more attention than they actually got this time around...

She Said Destroy from Oslo was opening act for Gehenna in Trondheim a few months ago, and now it was their turn to do Inferno. And they did,even though their death metal wasn't exactly my cup of tea. As I grew a bit bored and was looking forward to Grimfist, I headed upstairs instead, after She Said Destroy had played the half of their gig, to get a got spot. Still I must say that these guys know how to handle their instrument.

Unfortunately Horgh had to quit Grimfist last year due to a playing job in Hypocrisy. This was a bit disappointing; despite the fact that I’m a big fan of Hypocrisy too. While listening to their debut album “Ghouls of Grandeur” when it was released and already back then I was looking forward to see them live at last years Inferno Festival. Unfortunately that gig was canceled due to Horgh quitting the band. I guess I was expecting too much from this years concert, as I was a bit disappointed. But I’d bet that the audience enjoyed it together with me when they played songs like “A World of Wrath” and “No Compromise”! I would definitely like to see this energetic death metal band again sometime soon!

Deceiver from Sweden was a totally new band to me, and they played ordinary thrash metal. Not very original and far from anything called innovative, but I guess that’s not probably their goal either. Most songs sounded pretty much the same, and I didn’t get much out of this gig. I liked the vocals which fitted well into their music, but unfortunately that’s definitely not enough to get me hooked…

-Jan F. Lindsø


I have heard a lot talk of Aura Noir, but never seen them live, nor listened to them except on one of their albums I have. Not much to brag about, the album that is, but this gig was better than expected. Although I must say it’s not my mug of beer. The response from the audience seemed to prove me wrong, even if the sound could have been much, much better, but hey! what can you expect when they play blackish thrash metal. Music and sound was, “like a glove!”

First girl-band out during the Inferno was Norwegian Zeenon. First off I have to admit, I didn’t see them. But, there is a but, I’ve seen them before, twice in Hønefoss, and back then I was impressed, very impressed. Firsthand information under Inferno told me this was something that showed balls…



Arcturus was one of the bands I was looking forward to see at Inferno this year. The first songs started out allright, and Simen Hestnæs seemed to do his new adopted work nicely. But as the concert proceeded I understood that Simen couldn’t reach the highest notes, and the reason for was that he was way too drunk. His foolish dancing on stage was just too much. I say, “Get a grip on your drinking before performing”. After following them for some time now, I must say this performance disgraced them a little, not much, just a little.

Next out down in John Dee was Seth, a band playing technical extreme death/black metal. The music kicked ass, but not the audience, as they have endured almost two days of drinking and metal. Only a few in the front gave life singes from themselves as Seth did their thing. As the concert ended I really got a thing for them, and I look forward to listen more to this band.

Mein Gott, what a blow in the face! I’ve always known Candlemass as being a good band, I’ve even seen them on stage a couple of times before, but this time is was different. The whole band seemed to be on fire on stage, what a performance, what a gig! I talked to Leif Edling after the concert, and for the first time ever, the man seemed alive and happy. Candlemass really, really showed themselves as the festivals best band. A new king is on the throne and the name is Candlemass!

Band of the day: Candlemass

-Nash Rothanburg


I bet most fans of Candlemass would tell me I’m too young to review their concert, as they’ve been going for such a long time. And it’s actually 15 years since the Swedish doom-metal band released their last release. I’ve actually never listened that much to Candlemass, and it’s a long time since I listened to it at all. But I must admit it was a really pleasant concert. Messiah and the rest of his band were really delivering the goods from the stage. Even two new songs were played, and I can already now tell you that I will buy this album! Inferno actually needs more bands like Candlemass to play to get some variation from all the standard death metal! Great gig!

Band of the day: Arcturus

-Jan F. Lindsø


Day 3

First out the last day was Goatloard from Norway. I have never heard them before Inferno, but hey, they kicked some ass. But I guess they would have done it more if I knew the material. Talking to some colleges of mine, they also have the same reply as me, if they had only heard the before. But it is a good start on the final chapter of Inferno 2005.

God damn it, what the fuck is this?? Nattefrost, and his gay men? Sorry, no comment! This must be the must lousy performance ever to show their faces on Inferno. They sound was so-so, the music also, but the band was way out of Inferno and into the nearest Blue Oyster bar. Cool…haha!

Obliteration - Cannibal Corpse? Cannibal Corpse – Obliteration? In a quite packed John Dee I saw these four young men performing something that was quite similar to Cannibal Corpse. And as the music is in the same street as them I walk my own street away and up to talk. Sorry, the music is probably quite good, but I can’t handle it, even if I’m a reporter…sorry.

A queue; old school death metal from Sweden…ho ho! This was something that used my balls as stones during a stonewash of some jeans, at least during their last song, when the whole audience came alive. They could have done better, but they also could have done much more badly. In you face death metal!! No other way to explain it…except their name Grave!



Naer Mataron, a Greek band with the image of the old school way! About this time at night I really had to take a break after a couple of songs. They showed themselves as good band, but they could have done more of themselves, given more to the audience and been a little blacker. At least with that image, but hey, I liked the music, it was quite melodic and catchy, at least in my ears.

Green Carnation was a really nice twist musically for the festival. With a somewhat laidback feeling, the fans and listeners seemed to enjoy something else after two and half days of pure Armageddon. Never seen them alive before, but this gave the taste for more. Nice job.

At last, after kicking my way down to John Dee, I managed to get some evil, evil black metal from Tsjuder. Talk about a power-plant plow of infernal black metal from Norway. Again not my tenth mug of beer, but hey, I got the real feeling of being to black metal concert early 90’s. Did I mention I had a beer that concert, and kept away from the pit?!

Stupid stupid stupid.... Gehenna showed themselves as complete assholes on stage. Sorry, had to say it, kill me if you want to, but I really mean it. What the f... is that nazi thingy about? I saw them two songs and just left laughing my guts out. Who want to watch Hitler wannabees with a guitar? It was enough when Hitler was alive...period!

Aaaaargh…bllrrrrrr…aaarhg…Sunno))) . Yeah yeah…what is all the fuzz about? This was just bullshit from the start to the end. I could have sued them for making me a passive smoker. Nope, give me my beer bartender. No, sorry, Sunno))) could probably have been better if the sound was better. It was a lot of bass and rumbling. Attila did an OK job now and then, but I have seen him better. Next time, spare me for the smoke, OK?

Dissection, the last band of the year at Inferno 2005! The music is just as on the albums, awesome catchy black metal. But as some people have endured and seen, their political aspect isn’t what I like much. Stupid, stupid people. But the music was awesome, but as tired and worn out I was I had to say stop after 7 songs. Sorry. But if you ever come across Dissection live, and just want to listen to the music and not their political scheme, DO IT! For gods sake DO IT!

Band of the day: Green Carnation

And then the Inferno Festival 2005 was over for my part. Tired, worn out and stunned with awesome music and people I walked home to my bed. Thanks for meeting all the great people and talking to them. I felt like an ambassador for metal aiming towards metal people…he he! Se ya all next year! Nash Rothanburg, “Beat The Blizzard”.

-Nash Rothanburg


Dissection was probably the band I was looking most forward to see. I actually supposed to go and see them in Sweden earlier, but I thought that I would wait until they’re coming to Norway instead. And luckily they did! One of my favorite overall black metal albums is definitely “Storm over the light’s bane”, and both I and the rest of Rockefeller were probably in ecstasy when they played “Where dead angels lie”. The sound was pretty good, and the band did a really good job on stage. A lot of their old songs where played but they also played their new song entitled “Maha Kali”. The last song they played was “The Somberlain”, and as the light was turned on people started to leave the venue. It was obvious that the Rockefeller was tired and wanted to get home. Dissection didn’t want to get home yet. Fronted by guest-vocalist Attila, they entered the stage again. The crew turned off the sound, so Dissection had to play with amplifiers only, and Attila had to sing without microphones on “Elizabeth Bathory”. The audience had to sing along, and this made the show even more memorable, at least for me it was! Thumbs up to Dissection, thumbs down to the Rockefeller crew!

Band of the day: Naer Mataron

And with this I want to thank the people behind the Inferno Festival for letting Beat the Blizzard take part in the festival this year too. And cheers to those I met and talked with, the bands and to my colleague Nash for a great time..he-he.. Remember to check out the gallery for pictures from the festival! See you next year folks!

-Jan F. Lindsø