17th of April 2003 – Rockefeller / John Dee, Oslo, Norway

What we got was not exactly the Black Metaller’s dream. I mean, pouring rain from the northern sky, total darkness and furious winds should probably do more to any Metaller than the clear blue sky, the bright sun and all these smiling people. Most of them wearing black clothes. Oh well, as the Inferno festival is an indoor happening, the weather doesn’t mean much after all. This year the festival has exceeded to three days. Three days of Metal. 30 bands on stage and packed with long-haired guys and girls (heh, they all look the same to me). Easter was saved also this year. Personally I suffer from tinnitus, and have to decide on beforehand which bands I want to see. So, sadly lost quite a few. 

But I didn’t miss 1349 (Rockefeller), which are not as old a band as the name suggests. Though, they choose to play this old style of Northern Black Metal. They did it with style, but at the same time I don’t see the necessity of such a collaboration of musicians. On stage their sound is a bit fuller compared to they newly released "Liberation". And I’m sure if you manage to differ the songs you do get something out of the performance. I don’t. 

Belphegor (Rockefeller) are probably unknown to most of you but I assure you that "Necrodaemon Terrorsatan" (super album title) has its moments of Black Metal. They did a fine set, but if you don’t know their music well enough you probably loose a lot of their potential great sections of music. Rockefeller does something to smaller bands, as I often think the sound gets better on stage. Strange thing, but that also counts for John Dee, which is smaller than the aforementioned Rockefeller (main stage). 

Grand Alchemist (John Dee) are Norwegian, and they have released one full-length on Sound Riot. Personally I find their album to be rather good with certain ideas, but the production doesn’t do justice to their majestic Black Metal. And, while I saw them I kept pondering about why bands release their debut album a year or two too soon, if you see what I mean. It’s like, why can’t they be patient and create the songs? I find Grand Alchemist promising, but their potential doesn’t show on stage… yet. 

Entombed (Rockefeller) on the other hand have shown us their potential more than once. I must I say, they do their Death Metal with style. Even their groovier songs (which I don’t fancy that much) are great on stage. It’s like they shouldn’t be released on albums, instead of just being live songs. When you get a couple of oldies as well, there’s not much more you can ask for. Entombed are one hell of a live band, and be sure you never miss them if you get the chance to witness one of their performances. 

Vader (Rockefeller) are just as you know them, a super Death Metal band. They are so tight that I’m sure even Morbid Angel have a hard task to keep up. Not all their albums are up there, but when they choose songs from their different albums we get a set which is impressive. From the blasting Death Metal to the thunderous slow Metal which are just as aggressive as their blast beats, only in a different manner. Don’t you ever dear to miss them. 

Taake (John Dee) from Norway have some great songs in their ranks, but I can’t stand such a screaming vocal. I mean, why write lyrics at all? It’s just "…shriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk…", throughout all the songs (I guess, I heard only the three first). But if you happen to like just this, I’m sure Taake are great, because they got a descent sounds. And, they are intense. It’s just the vocals I can’t stand. 

Last up on stage this evening were The Kovenant (Rockefeller) from our own normally cold country. Simply put, I don’t see the point of doing Rammstein covers throughout a whole set. Be sure this is filled with power, their songs are catchy. But, once you’ve heard three seconds of any of their songs you know the whole song. And frankly speaking, after like three songs you know all their songs. Oh yes, The Kovenant are professional, and I’m impressed by their performance, which is filled with energy from the beginning to the very end. But I can’t stand their musical expression. Be sure, if you happen to have a go for this kind of music, I’m confident The Kovenant must be your wet dream. Impressive though, despite the music. This day was not my wet dream, but Vader gave me a fine hour of high class Death Metal. However, there were more to come.

18th of April - Rockefeller / John Dee, Oslo, Norway

I missed Koldbrann (both the band and the disease) and their set on John Dee. In time for Sirenia (Rockefeller) though and this band, with only one full-length in their ranks, did do very well. I mean, strong sound and quite some variation. However, I personally don’t get too much from this as I’ve heard Tristania earlier and frankly their music is more or less the same. But be sure, you have a nice half an hour or so together with their rather comfortable Gothic Metal. 

Lumsk (John Dee) play some kind of fusion between Metal and folk music, but the door was closed as the bar was packed with people. 

So, instead we had to be patient and await a Norwegian Ragnarok (Rockefeller). After four albums and some live experience, Ragnarok have developed into one of the few remaining true Black Metal bands. Their music is filled with rage and insanely speed, and the band seem more tight than ever. If this kind of Black Metal is your cup of tea, you just have to go to see them if you ever get the chance. I must warn you though, for the vocals are insane and concerning the musical experience you may find the songs a bit similar. But it’s definitely Black Metal. 

N.C.O. (John Dee), well…, I missed them and I don’t know anything about them, so pardon my amateurism. Instead I once again got truly impressed by Red Harvest (Rockefeller). You may don’t like their industrial apocalyptic power, heavy, Death Metal, but if you ever get the band coming to a stage near you, go there. And have an hour or two of true power. No, I’m not speaking about power in the sense of Power Metal. It’s more like you’re blown away. I have seen them quite a few times, and their sound is always impressive and extremely powerful. To put it this way, if Fear Factory were harder, this would be it. And people have learned to respect Red Harvest no matter if their like their music or not. I don’t like their music, but I respect this band and I like to see them alive and kicking. 

Audiopain’s (John Dee) way of Thrash Metal seems to go nowhere, despite being a band we’ve heard about for quite some years now. They are skilled, but personally I still go for Slayer and the other older gods. Sorry. And then it was time for the most orgasmic live experience I’ve had during all my lives. 

Opeth (Rockefeller) came, played, got off stage again – and leaving our mouths wide open in awe and respect. That Michael Åkerfeldt has one of the absolutely best Death Metal vocals can’t be argued, nor can that his normal vocals are the best in our beloved Death Metal scene a theme for discussion. But could this be transformed into a live situation? My anxiety arose as the minute came closer… …and they began to play. Song after song. In ecstasy. Opeth are not one of the best bands in the Metal scene, Opeth are the best. And don’t you dare to miss them… …ever. 

I wanted to see Runemagick (John Dee) after Opeth’s domination, but I needed a few minutes on my own. Sorry for this. Another fact was that Immortal (Rockefeller) would soon hit the stage as well, so we’re also speaking about a matter of prioritizing. Immortal came. And disappointed. Which is not due to the actual music, but more that they are so good that you expect 126% from them. I think the sound was a bit sloppy and Abbath’s vocal drowned a bit during the first few tracks. I know all the songs but still I didn’t have such a great time. Could be that they did their show after Opeth? However, as the songs passed by, my mind adjusted a little bit and I got more concentrated on the actual songs. And I found that it was probably just me. Because once you’re into the land of Immortal, you’re doomed. Immortal are one of the very best Black Metal bands there ever were, and will be. I ask, how can the band fail on stage they play a song from "Pure Holocaust"? They can’t… This day was my wet dream. Opeth fulfilled my expectation and then some, while Immortal probably did as well, if I hadn’t had Opeth going on all the time in my mind.

19th of April - Rockefeller / John Dee, Oslo, Norway

Due to a worse shape than expected (after three days of some alcohol), I missed the first three bands; Deride (John Dee), Exmortem (Rockefeller) and The Allseeing I (John Dee). 

So, it was time for Soilwork (Rockefeller). I must say the band are able to play, no doubt. High technical skills and catchy songs, but a tad too sterile. It’s like they know they are excellent musicians but do not really do the craftsmanship in order to make a more varied approach. My companion Sauli Vuoti did probably have a time in his life, but I didn’t get too much. Not that I would stay away if they ever come back to Norway, as they do a fair show. 

Shadow’s Fall (John Dee) I missed, sorry. Cadaver (Rockefeller), on the other hand, I didn’t miss at all. In fact, I think I got every single note they played. And what a performance! Insanely great Thrash Metal, and if these new songs were something to judge by the new album will probably equal "Reign In Blood". Cadaver are always intense and they have an excellent vocalist, which does something special as a frontman. So intense and aggressive, and he has an excellent voice. Be there, whenever they’re close. 

I’ve heard that Raise Hell (John Dee) are good, but I didn’t go down to the smaller stage. Too many people. Instead I got something to drink and awaited Children Of Bodom (Rockefeller). Their skilled Heavy / Black Metal is nice to listen to on CD, which is also their problem; their music is nice. And I got rather bored after like two tracks. Excellent in every sense except for the most important, namely the lack of interesting songs. Or rather, the band get too nice on stage. 

Which made me leave Rockfeller and enter John Dee for the last band, and one of my favourite bands. As you probably know, when you really like a band’s music on CD, you’re a bit nervous when they are about to transform the same songs into a live situation. And I have often been disappointed. Frankly speaking, I became even more worried after the opener from Norwegian Madder Mortem. But, after the opener it turned into a revelation. Agnete M. Kirkevaag became confident and the sound was adjusted into the live-sound they deserve. Have you ever heard such strong female vocals in a band? She sings from the bottom of hear heart and soul, and the music of this band is, in its originality, a perfect blend of Death, Doom and Metal in general. Catchy sections followed by slow parts, which then turns into groovy songs – always with Agnete’s vocals binding the songs together. The band reveal the energy and give us more than a hundred percent I can’t say this any louder, BUT BE SURE TO SEE THEM NO MATTER IF YOU LIKE THEIR MUSIC OR NOT. 

Which can be said about Necrophagia (Rockefeller) as well. Insane sounds, insane riffs, insane vocals – insanity put into music. I have always ‘loved’ Necrophagia (even from their vinyl "Season Of The Dead"), and live they are equally good. The songs are great, and they have tons of super riffs in every goddamn song. Killjoy’s vocals are, as said, insane. And hey, even in between the songs he uses his insane voice, which creates a special atmosphere. Necrophagia have also made the genious move by the inclusion of Mirai from Sigh. Something wicked is going on in his mind. Which marked the end of Inferno festival 2003. Of course we’ll meet Easter 2004 for another Inferno.  

Story: Roy Kristensen (Imhotep Magazine)
Pics: Kristine S. Dufey

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