INFERNO 2025 – Day 3
- Posted on 12-05-2025
Full gallery from Day 3 can be found here:
Text by Karina Noctum
The third day of the Inferno Festival opened with a stage bathed in the gentle glow of dozens of candlelights. There were no elaborate props; the atmosphere was built entirely on mood, history, and presence. And Jinx Dawson brought all three in full force.
Known as one of the pioneers of occult rock, Dawson’s influence on the genre is undeniable. The satanic high priestess legacy loomed large in the room—not just because of her haunting stage presence, but because she carries with her a piece of rock history. Credited with introducing the sign of the horns and incorporating the black mass and satanic imagery into music, Dawson’s performance felt like a tribute to a time when rock was seen as dangerous and boundary-pushing.
Musically, the set leaned heavily into ’70s psychedelic rock and doom. It wasn’t as dark or abrasive as one might expect from her occult reputation. The slow-burning riffs and hazy melodies transported the audience back in time.
Seeing Jinx Dawson perform wasn’t about chasing trends or spectacle; it was about witnessing the roots of a movement that continues to inspire and provoke decades later.
Following the thunderous show by Septicflesh the night before, Rotting Christ took the stage with equal force and undeniable experience. From the first note, it was clear that this was a band that knows how to command a crowd. Their connection with the audience was palpable—heads banged in unison, fists rose to the sky, and voices roared along with every chantable chorus.
The setlist was a strong blend of new and old, showcasing the band’s evolution while honoring their roots. Songs from their latest album, such as Like Father, Like Son, delivered fresh intensity, while fan-favorites like Elthe Kyrie offered perfect moments for the crowd to sing along. The real magic, however, came when the band unleashed older classics like King of a Stellar War, igniting a wave of nostalgia and raw energy.
One of the standout moments was Kata Ton Demona Eaftou, a song whose rhythm is tailor-made for the live setting. The audience reaction said it all. All in all, the combination of a dynamic setlist, commanding stage presence, and audience engagement made for a concert that felt powerful.
French black metal act Seth took the stage, delivering one of my most anticipated performances at this year’s Inferno Festival. In addition to excellent music, they delivered lots of theatrical intensity, and they did not disappoint.
From the moment they stepped on stage, macabre props and an ominous visual setup set the tone. The vocalist’s commanding and theatrical presence pulled the crowd into their dark ritual, creating an atmosphere thick with mystique and menace.
The setlist reached deep into their roots with Hymne au Vampire, a nostalgic blast from their early years, and brought things full circle with the thunderous Hymne au Vampire Act III. Hearing these two songs side by side showcased the band’s musical evolution.
Tracks from their latest album, such as La Destruction des Reliques and Insurrection, hit hard and translated beautifully to the live setting—each note sharp and seething. In addition, songs from La Morsure du Christ also found their place in the set, a reminder of how strong that release is, both musically and atmospherically.
Aura Noir unleashed a ferocious black thrash attack on Rockefeller. They kicked off with brutal precision, launching into Belligerent ‘Til Death—a blazing track that renewed the flame of hope on a much awaited new album to come.
The chaos continued with blistering performances of The Obscuration and Hell’s Fire. The moshpit pulsed in sync with the band’s savage tempo, feeding off thrashy atmosphere that only veterans like Aura Noir can deliver.
To close the set, the band delivered Condor, a powerful nod to the Latin American fans in the audience—a fitting end to a show this furious show.
Seth gave the audience a très magnifique experience, and Seth proved themselves as worthy torchbearers of French Métal Noir. Their performance was more than just tight—it was immersive, full of soulful expression and fiercely alive. Darkness reigned, and the crowd embraced every second of it.
Returning to familiar soil, Satyricon made their homecoming stop at Inferno Festival, bringing with them decades of black metal history and a fiercely devoted international fanbase. While their stage setup was surprisingly modest for a headliner, with a backdrop featuring a raven motif that echoed Abbath ’s from the night before, the true weight of their performance came not from visuals, but from presence and legacy.
The setlist was a finely crafted balance of recent crowd-pleasers and deep cuts. Tracks like Now, Diabolical, Deep Calleth Upon Deep, and Black Crow on a Tombstone filled the venue with infectious energy, their catchy choruses inviting full-throated singalongs from a sea of black-clad fans.
But it was the dive into the darker depths of their catalog that stirred the truest black metal spirit in the room. Walk the Path of Sorrow and Hvite Krists Død brought raw, early-’90s intensity, reminding everyone of the band’s primal beginnings. And as always, when Mother North rang out, it was more than a song—it was a moment of collective ritual. Fans from across the globe joined together in a chorus of reverence, proving once again that this anthem has become a unifying hymn for the genre.
The undisputed highlight of the night, however, was Filthgrinder. Ferocious and unrelenting, it tore through the venue with both sonic violence and timely lyrical relevance, serving as a brutal mirror to the chaos of the world outside.
Satyricon’s performance may not have relied on grand visuals, but it didn’t need to. This was a night driven by musical power, atmosphere, and the deep connection between band and audience. A homecoming in every sense—dark, proud, and unforgettable.
