The leading black metal label Terratur Possessions will present a series of atrocities too brutally fabulous to be true at the fourth edition of Caerimonia Nidrosiæ Festival, which will take place on January 16-17th, 2026, at Trondheim’s beautiful Byscenen. Tickets can be purchased here.
Day one, a Friday, will feature “Nidrosian Black Mass,” which will consist of songs by One Tail, One Head; Black Majesty; Kaosritual; and Celestial Bloodshed. These will be performed by various members of the Nidrosian Black Metal scene, a once underground movement forged by a select group of Trondheim-based practitioners of arcane musical rites and masters of atmosphere that has now, seemingly against the wishes of its creators, become trendy. We truly thought that such a gathering seemed impossible, as all of the said bands, except HBM Azazil / Kvitrim’s Black Majesty, had been laid to rest without any hope of resurrections. Yet, apparently, a grand feat of necromancy has indeed taken place. Misotheist, which showcases the sublime talents of Enevelde’s Brage Kråbøl and company, will also assume the stage. Finally, Costa Rica’s Umbra Conscientia has resolved to undertake the perilous journey to the land of Edvard Grieg, Munch, and the author of the awarded literary sensation that is the entrancing yet devilish Min Kamp.
Then, on Saturday, a tribute will be held for the late legend Steingrim Torson Brissach, a key figure in the Nidrosian Black Metal scene. This insanely prolific visionary, who has been hailed as one of the best black metal vocalists of all time by none other than the fine folks at Loudwire, displayed his excellence with the likes of Celestial Bloodshed, Kaosritual, Selvhat, etc. The celebration of his great legacy will include his comrades and special guests. The supreme supergroup Dold Vorde Ens Navn, which benefits from the genius of ex-Ulver’s Haavard, will similarly astound international attendees and destroy their tolerance for mediocrity. The most unexpected addition to the schedule will be an appearance by Denver’s Black Curse, which the fest confoundingly more or less describes as “a bastard child after a date with Beherit and Archgoat gone awry, adopted and nurtured by Katharsis and Negative Plane…”
Caerimonia Nidrosiæ is and will continue to be visually perfected by the stunning designs of the incredibly gifted Christ Êl Maar.
We must note that this year’s installment of Caerimonia Nidrosiæ likewise represented a miraculous occurrence. It boasted the following sublime lineup: Askeregn, Ritual Death, Vemod, Dark Sonority, Sortilegia, and Spellemann / “Norwegian Grammy”-nominees Whoredom Rife.
Yet, a definite highlight came in the glorious form of a colorful and informative talk titled “Satanic Crimes of the ’90s.” This, of course, was given by the eloquent and charismatic researcher, lecturer, and fantastic drummer Adrian Johansen Rinde, a.k.a. “Malach Adonai” of Dødsengel. (Only when one considers the enormity of Monsieur Rinde’s intellect can the fact of his mind-blowing brilliance as a lyricist begin to be fathomed.) The event took place at Rockheim — The National Museum for Popular Music.
The fest thus described the remarkable presentation, which you must watch below: “Did you know that the Norwegian Special Crimes Unit developed a handy field guide for investigating church burnings and ‘Satanic crimes’? Do you want to see some of the objects the police confiscated from Varg Vikernes and Øystein Aarseth? … He [Rinde] will present some highlights from formerly confidential information shared by the police, and bring with him some confiscated objects belonging to the archives of the Museum of Justice.” Be charmed by Rinde’s knowledge just as festival-goers were or remain ignorant at your own risk —
Needless to say, Caerimonia Nidrosiæ is so perfectly curated because the aforementioned Terratur Possessions is the brainchild of the fabled and ever elusive shadow-like entity Ole A. Aune, who is esteemed for his nauseating perfectionism, self-righteously uncompromising attitude, and agitating ability to somehow almost always manage to be right about everything. This most frightful gatekeeper established his place long ago as an architect of the Nidrosian Black Metal brand and is furthermore distinguished by his seer-like eye for talent and refusal to play ball with posers; hence, the reputable name of his label, which was founded in 2007, has never been tarnished and remains pure as the bedsheets of Dark Funeral fans. Let it also be known: Mr. Aune co-organizes the famous Bergen-based fest Beyond the Gates, was responsible for the now-dead annual ritual Nidrosian Black Mass, and has been involved with Hole in the Sky along with Inferno, which could certainly benefit from his input these days.
For the uninitiated, black metal is typically a hateful and Satanic art form, though it can be extremely beautiful, poetic, have its roots in nature and heritage, and even, as is the case with Ved Buens Ende, possess a romantic bent. However, many black metal festivals these days inexplicably seem more geared toward preaching the vomitacious and unrelated gospel of Kumbaya. Fortunately, at Caerimonia Nidrosiæ, there will be no politics, no panel discussions on kindness and equality, and no conventions aimed at taking advantage of the heightened impulsivity of intoxicated foreigners. Expect a thoroughly grim environment focused on the music! Leave your Behemoth shirts at home and proceed through the venue doors with great caution.
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