INFERNO FESTIVAL LONDON

A metropolis does not let me go... London. Although this city itself is already fascinating a lot, it is the combination with a show or festival I cannot get anywhere else that eternise these trips. Some chaos included of course… The first instalment of the INFERNO FEST EVENT LONDON was meant to be a trial run for a possible tour trek as we know from the No Mercy Festivals and as a warm-up party for the Inferno Festival itself. Anyway, the organizers had not to fear anything; this year’s fest was quickly and completely sold out. Of course bands like ENSLAVED and ARCTURUS attracted a lot of attention but there has been many fans who also wanted to witness the first ever live show of GRIMFIST and of course seeing RED HARVEST performing live.
Scene of the crime was the very popular Underworld in Camden Town, which unfortunately was way too small for such an event. In the basement of The Worlds End there might be 450 people fit in, but whose sight on the tiny stage got blocked by a few columns.
Instead of a usual after show party the organizers invited to an amusing warm-up party in the early afternoon 2 hrs prior the show, where everybody could drop in. Bands and VIP’s got offered a delicious buffet and drinking for free, which was highly accepted. But I guess it was not the food but the waitresses… barely dressed with opulent bust sizes… ;)

:: pics ::

:. ENSLAVED ~ kicked of the show exactly on schedule at 6pm. The band opened was not a disrespectful mistake by the organizers but rumours say drummer Cato Bekkevold wanted to fly back home a little later this evening for a fishing trip *lol*. If you ask an ENSLAVED fan he will sign with his own blood that it was a great show. I personally do not think so! It was ok, it was aggressive, but before the spark could jump over the 45 minutes slot was finished. Like kind of a spook ;) ENSLAVED of course focused on their brand new material from ISA album which even got nominated for this year’s Grammy Award in Norway, interlacing with songs from Monumension.

:. GRIMFIST ~ have seemingly lost their bassist on the way to the stage. He just appeared with the second track (a string was broken). GRIMFIST did not take any prisoners. Although it was the very first live show the ghoulunatics disrespectfully kicked everybody’s ass. While axe man Ole debut as the master of evil faces, Frediablo was jumping around like a berserker, did not stand still any second. And new entry Dustin Perle behind the skins (he replaces Horgh, who is way too busy in Hypocrisy to fulfil his obligations in GRIMFIST) lived up to his promise: he came to destroy London! Emptying his bottle of whisky Frediablo needed all the times some help from his set list to know which song is the next. Anyway GRIMFIST served us a great show, I had a lot of fun, the band too. GRIMFIST kills!
Setlist: Primal Aggression, Outlined In Black, World Of Wrath, From Hell & Back, No Compromise, Obsession, Lesser Of Two Evils, Ghouls Of Grandeur, Christ Denied, Mosh-pit Underground

:. MADDER MORTEM ~ was a band I was looking forward to see them live again. The last show I have in mind was long time ago in the Netherlands … totally blurred. The band surprised with two new songs (The Flood To Come, Sedition) from their upcoming album, that should be released soon. And I was thrilled! The new songs are unbelievably heavy, powerful, tricky and still sort of crazy. If these both songs are reflecting the entire material of the new album they will deliver a masterpiece! Just great I tell you! The feedback was amazing and the gents around energetically voluptuous front woman Agnete whose sunny disposition intrigued those around her had a lot of fun and enjoyed the positive response. Great atmosphere and I’m really looking forward to the new album!
Setlist: Omnivore, The Flood To Come, Breaker Of Worlds, Jigsaw, Sedition, Rust Cleansing, Necropol Lit

:. RED HARVEST ~ enclosed themselves with a dark hypnotic atmosphere. Fitting to their graphical design of their current album Internal Punishment Programs the stage was shrouded into a dark red light, underplayed with apocalyptic sounding Industrial samples. And it was crowded on stage since it also had to harbor the synths and computers. Singer/guitarist Ofu Kahn was like a beast on stage, nothing was save from his aggressiveness, while four-stringer Thomas B spend most of the time to his beer, not forgetting to toast to the audience. Solid show, but nothing special.
Setlist: Fall Of Fate, Mekanizm, GodTech, Cybernaut, Teknocrate, Internal Punishment Programs, Cold Dark Matter, A.E.P, Beyond The End

Before ARCTURUS could hit the stage it took the triple time to change the backline. Every other band made in 15 minutes but ARCTURUS needed almost an hour. Well, that’s known… But not enough, while the stage crew was still stumbling over wire a guy from Terrorizer magazine entered the stage to finish the raffle they started at the door. But before he could pull out the first winner he saw filled cups thrown at him, accompanied by catcalls and ARCTURUS calls. The only good thing was the announcement of the entire billing of this year’s Inferno Festival in March. That poor gent could not find the winner for the Inferno Festival backstage pass so he better headed off the stage for certain reasons…

:. ARCTURUS ~ finally, here they are again. For the first time the legendary Norwegians had four shows outside of Norway in the last year and it seems they took a fancy to it. Beside the Inferno Fest in London they will play different festivals this year, followed by a tour after the new album is released in August. Once just a loveless treated side project it seems ARCTURUS turned out into a real band with live-appetite. The special on this evening’s show was without a doubt the live debut of new singer Simen Hestnæs (Dimmu Borgir) who replaces Øyvind Hægelund. Hestnæs already lend his incredible (guest) voice to La Masquerade Infernale, so he is not an unknown to the band. Seeing that physical neglect took its toll on his frame and changes with his facial looks a lot of girls noticed what I saw as well. Nevertheless Simen jumped on the stage and started singing as if there is no tomorrow. What a voice! And what a waste in DB! I can well imagine that he speedily said yes when he got the vacant position offered. He now seems to free himself, at least it appeared like that. Anyway, I also have to confess, that he was not entirely convincing. I guess there was not enough time to practice… I have seen him singing much better. Another indication: his two (!) micros with effects…
Compared to the show on the last year’s Nebelmond Festival the guitar amp got killed before the band started (was it the same?). But Red Harvest helped out :) However, ARCTURUS played a great show and they obviously enjoyed the freakin’ out audience. Much fun for everybody!
After 45 minutes the show was over. No encore for ARCTURUS as well as for the other ones. While getting the equipment together the band members just entered the stage again for some hand-shakings and cheers.
Setlist: Master Of Disguise, Painting My Horror, Ad Absurdum, Alone, Nightmare Heaven, The Chaos Path, Raudt Og Svart, To Those Who Dwellst In The Night

Hardly the last tune was gone as me and Jim had to run for the last tube. It was a shame because I missed the meeting with the girls and guys from the ARCTURUS forum :( One of these guys even came from Brazil to see this show! Respect!
Upshot: The Underworld was really way to small for such an event. Since the organizers already were thinking about to change the venue, they should have done it. But it is a fact: this show was it definitely worth it to head over to London! And as I already got to hear, there will be a new issue next year :) Oh, I had to offer some ideas regarding the bands … what about Zeenon for example? ;)
At the end let me send a huge “Thank You” to Inferno organizer Ann Frestad, you know what for. I owe you something! That girl has done a great job with this fest! Cheers!