Few Norwegian music festivals can equal the international status that the Inferno Festival holds. Now in its 12th consecutive year, the festival, which was voted as one of the 10 best in the world by the readers of Terrorizer magazine, continues to grow and is now the Norwegian metal community’s most important gathering.

For four days during Easter, people are flying in from England, Sweden, Germany, Italy, the USA and even India to experience extreme metal in Norway’s capital. Not that strange, since Norwegian black metal is known all over the world and is Norway’s largest music export abroad.

 The Inferno Festival has also been the subject of international media attention. In 2009 Inferno drew hordes of foreign journalists representing niche publications such as Metal Hammer but also larger TV networks and radio stations chose to focus on the festival.

Celebration of music

The festival was started in 2001 by Borknagar guitarist Jens Ryland who wanted to gather the Norwegian metal community for a celebration of extreme music. On the poster for the first ever Inferno were black metal bands such as Cadaver Inc., Borknager and Enslaved. With Dimmu Borgir as the headlining act the following year, Inferno's ongoing success was assured.

When: 4-7 April 2012

Where: Oslo

Venues:  Rockefeller, John Dee, Rock In, Blå, Elm Street, Victoria and Revolver

Age limit: 18 years (20 at some clubs on the Wednesday)