The Blackpacker's guide to Oslo

For black metal fans, Oslo is a pilgrimage site. This is where it all began. The dark forests, cold fjords, ancient churches, and historic graveyards are all woven into the DNA of true Norwegian black metal music. From record shops steeped in infamy to haunting museums, raging festivals, and darkly inspired art, Oslo offers blackpackers a unique chance to walk in the footsteps of the genre's legends.

Neseblod, more than just a record shop

At the centre of this pilgrimage is Neseblod Records. This legendary shop houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of black metal records, demos, cassettes, and rare memorabilia. Beyond functioning as a shop, Neseblod doubles as a black metal museum, filled with original artefacts from the early years, such as posters, vintage T-shirts, and collectibles that capture the wild energy of the early scene. Today, visitors can still descend into the basement to see the legendary BLACK METAL wall, one of the most iconic sights in black metal history.

Merch, Vinyl & Dark Treasures: Blackpacker Shopping in Oslo

No black metal pilgrimage is complete without dark souvenirs. Oslo offers plenty of spots to dig through vinyl, hunt for merch, or find books that feed your darker side. 

Start at Neseblod, then head to Katakomben for rare vinyl and pure underground energy, or Råck n Rålls for second-hand gems on CD, vinyl, and cassette. 

Outland caters to blackpackers drawn to fantasy, mythology, and dark pop culture, while Tronsmo, Oslo’s legendary indie bookstore, offers radical literature, dark philosophy, and comics as grim as any black metal lyric. 

Finally, check out Big Dipper, a temple of vinyl that sometimes hosts intimate release gatherings with artists.  
 
For a brutally dark roasted coffee to bring home, get a bag of Black Coffee from Hell at Solberg & Hansen at Mathallen.

Metal concerts, dark clubs and rock festivals

When night falls, Oslo’s metal scene awakens. 

Small venues such as Vaterland, Revolver, and Kniven are the go-tos for smaller gigs, while larger stages such as Rockefeller, John Dee, and Oslo Spektrum bring in international legends. Always check the concert calendar – you never know who might be playing while you're visiting Oslo. 

If you time your visit right, Oslo’s metal festivals offer full-scale immersion:

• Inferno Metal Festival: The ultimate black metal gathering every Easter.
• Oslo Deathfest: Death metal brutality in its purest form.
• Orgium Satanicum: Blasphemous rituals and extreme metal.
• Høstsabbath: takes over Jakob's Church every autumn, turning the old sanctuary into a cathedral of doom, sludge, and heavy riffs.
• Desertfest Oslo: Stoner, doom, and fuzzed-out riffs. 
• Tons of Rock: Large outdoor metal and rock festival. 

Into the wild and untamed Norwegian nature

The roots of Norwegian black metal are deeply entangled with the country’s raw, unforgiving and cold landscapes. The dark forests, frozen lakes, and endless winters are more than just scenery; they have shaped the very soul of the music. For any blackpacker, stepping into the wilderness is part of the pilgrimage.

If you’re drawn to the call of the wild – a blazing campfire, the whisper of dark woods, and a night beneath a sky of burning stars – book a guided wilderness hike with When in Norway. It’s the kind of raw, untamed experience every true metal spirit craves.

Dark landmarks: history written in shadows

For architecture that feels as heavy as any riff, visit Norsk Folkemuseum: the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. Amidst the collection of old cottages and farmhouses stands a towering monument to Norway’s pagan past – the Gol Stave Church, nearly 800 years old. Step inside to witness the intricate wood carvings and shadowy decor that echo the mysticism and spirituality that black metal often evokes.

Akershus Fortress offers ancient stone walls, cannons facing the fjord, and centuries of war, executions, and imprisonment. Inside, the Resistance Museum and Akershus Castle, tell the stories of Norway’s more violent past. Join a night-time ghost tour of the fortress and Oslo’s old town, where stories of death and spirits breathe life into the shadows of the past. 

Holmenkollen Ski Jump, The Throne of Steel and Ice, rises like a metal giant above Oslo, and has a rich history from the ground being a military camp for Luftwaffe during WWII to rock festivals in the 1970’s and a home of ski jump legends since 1892. Test your own vertigo and zipline from the tower or rappel down and unleash your scream.

Art, darkness and inspiration: The Black Metal Aesthetic

Black metal’s aesthetic owes much to Norway’s rich artistic heritage, and no artist embodies this more than Edvard Munch. His haunting works – The Scream, Vampire, and many others – capture existential terror and darkness in a way that resonates deeply with the genre. Bands like Satyricon have even used one of Munch’s works for album art.

Body Art: Ink & Steel for Eternal Memory

For many blackpackers, tattoos and piercings are the ultimate souvenirs. Oslo has plenty of studios scattered across the city, but for something truly special, time your visit with the Inferno Metal Festival. There, world-renowned tattoo artists gather to create custom designs while extreme metal blasts in the background. It's the perfect setting for an eternal mark of your journey.

Vikings and metal

Vikings and metalheads march side by side – bound by the same wild spirit, fearless hearts, and defiant roar. Both embrace power, myth, and rebellion, standing unshaken against the ordinary. Like Vikings sailing into the unknown, metalheads dive into chaos and sound, chasing glory through distortion and darkness. 

Where to refuel: Food and drink

In Oslo, you'll find lots of places where you can feast like a Viking, and still save money for records and merch. 

Check out Vaterland's infamous Satan Pizza, or go to Hell’s Kitchen for classic pizzas in a dive bar vibe. At Helt Vilt, you can sample wild Norwegian game, and taste the primal north. 

For quick, budget-friendly meals, head to Lille Saigon, Oslo Street Food, or burger joints like Illegal Burger and Bastard Burger. For sugary sins, check out Haralds Vaffel.