MAYHEM
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 carry 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.
PRIMORDIAL
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. Over their long career, the band has released ten albums – the latest, the masterpiece “How It Ends” (2023). 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.
FUNERAL
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, but founder Anders Eek has always steered the ship steadily through adversity. Last year they released their latest album, “Gospel of Bones”, featuring baritone opera singer Eirik Krokfjord – an album that received glowing reviews. Funeral rarely perform live, but after their memorable Inferno appearance in 2006, it’s finally time for their long-awaited return.
MÚR
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. The emerging quintet are forging a new era of dark, atmospheric and boundary shattering metal. With progressive sensibilities that harken to the Devin Townsend Project and mid-era Opeth, a talent to cohesively juxtapose atmospheric textures with polished technicality a la Neurosis and Gojira, and a focus on jazz study among the fresh-faced instrumentalists, Múr is already proving itself to be a reckoning force.
NITE
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. Members of Nite have also played in bands such as Serpents of Dawn, Dawnbringer, Satan’s Wrath, and Wild Hunt. This will be Nite’s very first performance in Norway.
HIEROPHANT
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.
SOVEREIGN
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. Known for their intense live performances – where deadly precision meets pure aggression – and after successful tours along the U.S. East Coast and across Europe, Sovereign have firmly established themselves as a band to watch.
BLODKNOKE
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 that may include future classics such as “Heller halshugd enn halvsugd” (“Rather Be Beheaded Than Half-Sucked”), “Sørgporno” (“Grief Porn”), and “Hore med hagle” (“Whore With a Shotgun”).
CAVERN DEEP
From Sweden comes doom metal band Cavern Deep. Since their formation in 2019, they have released three albums of impressive quality. Their latest release, “Part III – The Bodiless”, arrived earlier this year to widespread acclaim. 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.
AUTOMATON
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. So far, the band has released two albums: “Echoes of Mount Ida” (2014) and “Talos” (2018). Their music is described as dark and intense, with a cinematic quality and relentless drive. After a successful performance at Inferno Metal Festival 2024, we’re thrilled to welcome Automaton back.
HEVN III
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.
VOIDSPIRE
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.
The iconic Inferno Metal Festival started in 2001 and is the longest running metal festival in
Norway and one of the most important extreme metal festivals in the world. We are very proud
of this position and we will continue fronting Norwegian metal and bringing bands from all over
the world to Norway. Inferno Metal Festival is being held four days at Rockefeller Music Halls’
two stages Rockefeller and John Dee as well as many smaller clubs around Oslo. The festival takes place during Easter in Norway when not a lot of other stuff is happening in Oslo. The festival are usually sold out and more than fifty percent of the audience are from outside of Norway. The ticket sales are from all over the world including China, Australia, Chile, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, USA, Columbia, Argentina and many more.
Links:
Official Inferno Fest Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Tickets
