The chilly desert breeze blows as a tumbleweed rolls by, its prickly branches breaking here and there, leaving a trail of thorns in its path. A group of intrepid and determined artists snag the rolling menace and toss it into the ever-growing pile of dead tumbleweeds, ready to be set ablaze and heat up the night. The beat of heavy metal thumps in their chests, the crowd just beyond the barrier dancing in a frenzy of high-energy fun. The scene looks like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie: costumes, sculptures of metal and fire dotting the arena, the clash of steel on steel battle barely clinking through a lull in music from the stage. Welcome to InFERNo.
Originally, the idea was inspired by a giant pile of troublesome tumbleweeds, the literal thorn in the side of life in the high Nevada desert. Buddy Wagner, an ACES volunteer, proposed the idea of a community bonfire, setting the scourge ablaze. The ACES can’t really do anything without some flair, pardon the pun, so the discussion quickly became, “How can this go big?” and InFERNo was born.
A giant bonfire of the problematically prickly plants centered the discussion on something leaning a bit extreme. The decision was made to host the festival in March, when the weather is still unpredictable and chilly, perfect for heating things up with a bonfire made of thorns. What kind of music makes a good backdrop for a festival of the extreme? Metal: loud, energetic, and heavy on the double bass.
The group decided this was a chance to go even bigger. Drowning Pool was secured as the headliner. The internationally known band has a platinum hit song, Bodies. Something this big is bound to draw serious attention to Fernley.
The festival lineup now features nine high-energy bands: Drowning Pool, Cyanate, Weight of the Tide, Shoot 2 Thrill, Amerakin Overdose, The Deadly Gallows, Changing the Design, Hired Fun, and Fernley’s own Diminished Return.
Music isn’t the only entertainment set to keep the excitement going. A notable sideshow is a hard-hitting, metal-filled battle. Warriors clad in actual armor will go toe-to-toe, swinging axes, swords, and other weapons at each other in a series of adrenaline-pumping exhibitions throughout the weekend. Hired Hands provides chaotic entertainment with fast-paced, body-slamming performances set to the festival’s soundtrack that will keep the crowd moving.
As darkness descends over the Reno-Fernley Raceway on Saturday the 28th, fire will light up the night. Kicking off the fiery celebration are the masters of fire dancing, Controlled Burn. They’ll heat up the track with fire-spinning prowess and group choreography set to a heavy beat. As Drowning Pool takes the stage, twin tumbleweed towers will be set ablaze, lighting up the night.
Festival-goers are invited to camp out and immerse themselves in the post-apocalyptic metal vibes for the entire weekend, though camping passes are limited. Costumes are encouraged. Locals can also contribute their own tumbleweeds to the bonfire, with details coming soon.
Food trucks will provide a variety of options for hungry festival-goers, and multiple bars will serve custom drinks alongside crowd favorites. InFERNo merchandise will be sold on-site while supplies last, with preorders now open on the ACES website for those who don’t want to miss out. A curated selection of vendors and themed activities will be present throughout the weekend, adding to the immersive experience of Fernley’s first annual InFERNo festival.
Get tickets and updated details at fernleyaces.net/InFERNo. Use code FernleyReporter to receive $25 off your ticket through February 12, 2026.
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