INFERNO FESTIVAL – Day 2
- Posted on 03-05-2025
Photo galleries from day 2 by Jonathan Mazin:
Text by Karina Noctum
Gaerea opened day two with a set that felt both intense and refreshing—a post-black metal soundscape that was warmer than the previous day, drawing in a considerable and curious crowd.
What immediately set them apart wasn’t just the music—it was the performance itself. The vocalist’s use of choreography, drawing on modern dance-like movements, added a touch of sinousity to the performance.
There was also something genuinely uplifting in their stage presence: amidst the uniformity of masked anonymity, their female guitarist stood out—not because of appearance, but because of talent. Dressed identically to her bandmates in non-revealing, face-covering outfits, she let her musicianship shine, proving once again that true presence comes from performance, not image.
Next was Blood Incantation, who took the stage to a visibly energized and engaged crowd, ready for a journey that was as cosmic as it was brutal. Their stage props, two obelisks, were an intriguing blend of Asian and alien aesthetics. They projected an image that felt both ancient and otherworldly. This cosmic imagery matched perfectly with the thematic focus of their most recent album, from which they played several tracks.
Musically, the set was a powerful and diverse display of death metal mastery. Groovy sections reminiscent of Morbid Angel, Death and Nocturnus gave way to progressive twists. The band’s ability to weave together old-school death metal roots with forward-thinking composition made the performance stand out. It wasn’t just heavy—it was psychedelic, spacey, and rhythmically intricate without ever losing momentum.
All in all, Blood Incantation proved to be a captivating live experience, both visually and musically. Whether you’re there for the riffs, the atmosphere, or just the sheer unpredictability of their set, this is a band that pushes the genre’s boundaries while honoring its core.
Keeping the momentum high, Greek veterans Septicflesh took the stage and delivered an excellent display of technical and symphonic death metal mastery. From the very first notes, it was clear that the band had the audience firmly in their grasp—not just through sheer power, but through an immersive performance.
The band’s mythological and atmospheric legacy, stirred the crowd into a frenzy of fist-pumping and headbanging. The crowd was loud and enthusiastic, with many fans singing—or screaming—along, especially to songs like “Anubis” and “We, the Gods”.
Tracks from their latest release—”Hierophant,” “Neuromancer,” and “Coming Storm”—were met with equal enthusiasm, their orchestral arrangements exploding into a megamassive brutal blend of blast beats, surgically precise riffing and sweeping symphonic grandeur.
Tight, focused, and entirely professional, Septicflesh proved once again why they are one of the cornerstones of the symphonic death metal genre.
For those still hungry for relentless sonic punishment, 1349 delivered one of the most punishing and powerful sets of the entire festival. From the first blast beat, the atmosphere in Rockefeller shifted—a wall of fire, fury, and unrelenting black metal descended on the venue.
It was noteworthy to see Kevin Kvåle (from Gaahls Wyrd) stepping in on drums in place of Frost. While Frost’s presence is iconic, Kvåle brought intensity and technical finesse that fit seamlessly with the band’s infernal sound.
The setlist was perfectly balanced between old-school classics and newer anthems. Songs like “Riders of the Apocalypse,” “I Am Abomination,” “Slaves,” and “Blood is the Mortar” were executed with flawless precision and scorching energy.
On the other side, catchier and more recent tracks such as “Striding the Chasm,” “Through the Eyes of Stone,” and “Ash of Ages” added a welcome variation to the set, showing 1349’s evolution.
All in all, this performance was pure black metal fire, delivered by a band that continues to reign with technical brilliance and unshakable conviction. For many, 1349 was an undeniable highlight of the festival—a blast of darkness that left the crowd burning with delight.