Long time wanted, often tried and planned… and finally it worked out: my first INFERNO FESTIVAL in Oslo, Norway. Of course… not without all this chaos around, all these twists and turns that left me confused, not knowing what to expect at all. Especially, since it was my very first stint in Norway *laughs*
Anyway, the festival billing wasn’t that awesome as in the years before but still great and offering a lot of musical gems, although Meshuggah cancelled their appearance due to illness shortly before the festival.
Ok, out of a sunny and summer-like Muenster, into a winter-like Oslo. 22°C turn into 5°C, sun turns into rain, under a dark grey sky and still lotsa snow around. No matter! New travel, new challenges, new discoveries and all about metal! Even the airline-journal has a report about a Norwegian metal band (Sahg – but in Norwegian language ;))
Oslo itself emerges as a dismal and bleak capitol, unsightly at many points due to many sides and the black snow. And especially over the Easter days Oslo is kinda dead. Who cares, I wanted to see metal bands. Norwegian metal bands ;) My goal was the Rockefeller & John Dee club! The INFERNO FESTIVAL wasn’t sold out, but though well-attended and very relaxed…

:: Livestories :: Wednesday :: Thursday :: Friday :: Saturday ::

:: Photos :: Wednesday :: Thursday :: Friday :: Saturday ::

Conveniently Rockefeller and John Dee club are housed in the same building, in the middle of the Oslo Centrum, including the Anneks Room, where the INFERNO METAL EXPO took place this year. Seems like the economy crises caused less applications for sales stalls. Less room needed and IMX moved from the Sentrum Scene (behind the Rockefeller club) to the Anneks Room. In fact there were only a few merchandise, clothes and jewel booths to find, a little stage for signing sessions and performances (MAD Circus Puppets).
On the other side of the Rockefeller club was the Lodge with the official INFERNO FESTIVAL merch, a corner for the renowned Tattoo artists Lucky 7, working non-stop, and the hair & make-up stylists Adam & Eva, plus an exhibition of cover/poster artist American Vendetta around this room. No business booths of label, agencies and other ones.

What I totally missed was the INFERNO MUSIC CONFERENCE, for that I had to apply separately. The IMC offered Black Metal sightseeing tours, an acoustic concert of WARDRUNA at the Vikingskipshuset, as well the usual business dates and workshops and stuffies. Ok, next time I’m prepared ;)

Likewise great is the fact that all the other live clubs and also the official INFERNO FESTIVAL hotel are located around the Rockefeller, like 10 minutes walk, making a quick change between the clubs and pubs possible, or a fast break at the hotel ;)

All in all the INFERNO FESTIVAL offers a lot of stuff. There is so much going on you hardly can take everything, unless you do it without food and sleep and are in good shape.

Generally I would like to state that the INFERNO FESTIVAL 2009 was the festival of pyros. There was hardly any band without some fires on stage. And, most of the bands and especially the Norwegian bands offered really great special performances ;)
By the way… all shows got recorded. So there might be a festival DVD available soon ;)

stories& pics © Dajana