Inferno Day 4, April 19th 2014
Photos by Eivind Nakken
Saturday, Unholy Saturday
Taking some time to recover from last night’s debauchery, we arrive at John Dee just in time to catch the final songs of The Sickening‘s set. Spawned from the southernmost part of Norway, their approach to death metal is fast, brutal, and surprisingly technical. Although we are few in attendance, the band works up a generally positive response amongst the sweaty crowd. Extra mention must go to the band’s drummer, who plays with lightning fast ferocity. There’s nothing new under the sun, but these guys are good at their trade.
The Sickening
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Japan’s Sigh have made their concerts into a theatrical performance. Entering the stage with his raised fist on fire, mainman Mirai has a penchant for the eccentric and unusual. Together with his partner Mikannibal, who is dressed in a tiny revealing kimono, they go on to burn a couple of bibles for some extra special Easter fun.
Sigh
The juxtaposition of the trench-coat-clad frontman, the overly sexualized saxophonist, and the otherwise regular-looking lads, feels a bit half-baked, and there appears to be a lot more misplaced style than substance at play. When Mikannibal shows off her panties as flames erupt from a mounted skull, the ridiculousness gets out of hand. This isn’t so much a concert as a display of showmanship. There is obviously an audience for their progressive experimentation, but tonight Sigh fall flat on their faces with their silly theatrics.
Sigh
Rocking is hard work, and an extended break ensues after Sigh finish. As we finally make a reinvigorated return to John Dee, the psychedelic sounds of Oranssi Pazuzu is already blasting from the speakers. Their Hawkwind-meets-Burzum mannerisms really comes into its own in a live setting. Featuring heavy doses of spacey synths, feedback, and lots of distortion, their wall of sound is akin to being lost in time and space.
Oranssi Pazuzu
Backed by blinding lights, they offer up mind-bending solos and cosmic crescendos in spades. Quite possibly the loudest gig of the festival, the mind starts reeling as they finish off with the lengthy psychotropic number “Kerettilainen Vuohi”. Thus the orange Finns prove once and for all that they are much more than black metal with a gimmick.
Oranssi Pazuzu
As the first headliner of the night, Rotting Christ are bringing both old and new material to the stage. Although they draw upon albums like Thy Mighty Contract, Non Serviam, and Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers, the legendary band’s current live sound is definitely of the modern kind. Supported by orchestral backing tapes, they enter the extensive list of Inferno bands depending on playback techniques.
Rotting Christ
Obviously bringing a choir on tour is never feasible, but the canned sounds do not make for a great live experience. On a brighter note, vocalist Sakis makes for an impressive figure, despite his constant flirting with the manic audience. Overwrought or not, these Hellenic veterans have honed their craft with expert precision, which makes for one hell of a tight show.
Bombast is completely unheard of in the cavernous world of Black Witchery. Doing the honor of closing the John Dee stage, they apparently take their task very seriously. Appearing in long black robes, the Florida threesome unleashes a flurry of unfiltered barbarism upon a drunk and raunchy group of devotees.
Black Witchery
Their depraved ritual sends most of the locale into a feverish turmoil, as bodies collide and sweat is flying everywhere. It’s simultaneously a terrifying and exhilarating performance; like a musical curb-stomp. As the barrage of noise draws to a way too early end, the spectators give the band a worthy send-off. Exhausted and disgustingly sweaty, we prepare for the long journey home…
Black Witchery
But wait! The party still isn’t over. Promising a grand finale to a marvelous festival, Sweden’s reigning satanic delegates Watain are gearing up in style. The stage is packed with blasphemous effects, including large screens of human flesh, candles, huge inverted crosses adorned with animal skulls, and a small mountain of skulls and bones. Posing as Christ on the cross, frontman Erik appears from the darkness as the familiar stench of rotting pig’s blood fills the room. Nobody can accuse these guys of skimping on the aesthetics.
Watain
Ridiculously over the top satanic imagery aside, tonight’s setlist leaves much to be desired. Dedicating almost half of their set to the lackluster The Wild Hunt, they almost exclusively dip into their last three albums. There are some highlights, with the mesmerizing “The Devil’s Blood” serving as an apex, but as a whole the band seems a little tired and unenthusiastic. It probably doesn’t help that this gig comes on the tail of four busy days of beer and metal, and as the band departs many are surely ready to collapse. Watain are not a bad live band by any stretch of the imagination, but tonight they are far from the top of their game.
Epilogue
Passing a crammed festival pub, we quietly stumble back to our humble abodes. In hindsight, the men and women behind Inferno have outdone themselves this year. Even though it seems an odd choice to have bands like Hatebreed and Blasphemy sharing a stage, they somehow managed to pull it off. After last year’s perpetual sound-related problems, it seems like the people of Rockefeller and John Dee have finally pulled it together, resulting in several unmatched black metal performances. Fuck holiday traditions, you’ll find us back at Inferno next year.
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