ENSLAVED

ENSLAVED are a progressive extreme metal band from Western Norway with major international success and multiple awards both at home and abroad. Formed back in 1991, they will celebrate an impressive 35 years when they perform at Inferno in 2026. Over the years they have released 16 albums, the most recent being Heimdal in 2023. ENSLAVED also has a long history with Inferno, having played the very first edition of the festival in 2001. They have returned a couple of times since, but it has now been ten years since their last Inferno show in 2015. We are truly excited to welcome ENSLAVED back.

SAMAEL

Swiss legends SAMAEL were formed in 1987 and are considered part of the first wave of black metal. During that era they released classics such as Worship Him (1991) and Blood Ritual (1992). With Ceremony of Opposites (1994) SAMAEL developed their sound further, with the album including their best-known track "Baphomet's Throne". The band later moved in a more industrial direction on subsequent releases. The last time SAMAEL played Oslo was in 2017 - also at Inferno - so it is with great pleasure we now welcome them back.

AUDN

AUDN from Iceland play atmospheric black metal and were founded in 2010. So far, they have released three albums. In the crowded field of newer black metal bands, AUDN have managed to carve out their own identity. Coldness, solitude, beauty and passion are words often used to describe their soundscape - and with good reason. The band has performed in Norway twice before, both times at Inferno, but we have to go back to 2018 for their last appearance. Since then much has happened in the AUDN camp, most notably the release of the stunning Vokudraumsins fangi in 2020. Don't miss the chance to see them when they return to Inferno 2026!

MORAX

MORAX stands a bit apart from what is usually featured at Inferno Metal Festival, as the band plays old school heavy metal. Started as a one-man project by Remi, also known from INCULTER and HJELVIK, MORAX released their debut album The Amulet earlier this year. The record has received glowing reviews - including from Fenriz of DARKTHRONE, who placed it at the very top of his list in Deaf Forever Magazine. MORAX has only played a handful of shows so far, but the response has been excellent. With a young and hungry band like this, there is every reason to look forward to their arrival at Inferno and Oslo in April.

FORSMAN

FORSMAN emerged from Kopavogur, Iceland, in early 2019, bringing a distinctive voice to the black metal scene. Blending melodic and melancholic undertones with triumphant, cathartic energy, FORSMAN deliver an immersive and powerful listening experience. Known for their intense live performances, the band seeks to expand beyond Iceland's borders and bring their formidable shows to audiences worldwide. Their debut EP, Donsum I Logans Ljoma, released through Van Records in 2021, earned critical acclaim and established FORSMAN as a notable force in the scene. The performance at Inferno 2026 marks FORSMAN's first ever appearance in Norway.

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.