I’m fairly soiled with a coronary heart fully full of affection, a head full of latest information, and bountiful reminiscences due to this yr’s Fireplace In The Mountains. A competition that has returned in 2025 and as soon as once more set itself other than every other expertise you’ll ever have.
I’d like to begin this assessment with a disclaimer that Steel Injection is certainly a proud sponsor of this competition, however for no financial worth. I merely believed within the trigger, message and impression of FITM since my first attendance in 2022, and I needed to get much more concerned in carrying their message to our viewers. In brief, I’d prefer to share this magical occasion with you and with one of the best intentions attainable.
In my finest effort to recap/assessment what transpired on the fest this yr, I’ll break it down by the continuously most questions I have been requested regarding FITM. My hope is to restrict any issues or confusion, and allow you to in on this must-feel expertise for your self!
The Setting
In a means, FITM jogged my memory of my Boy Scouts week-long summer time camp experiences. The competition campgrounds are solely 5 minutes exterior of a small city with loads of facilities and lodging, however the competition website (Crimson Eagle Campground) is a picturesque and serene off the grid (and cell tower) setting I discovered myself not wanting or needing to depart for 3 complete days. It felt nice to “unplug” and remind ourselves what life is absolutely about.
The competition grounds are big with staging, distributors and aspect program areas constructed into pure clearings and environment that actually improve the competition expertise. Strolling to the lake entrance from the stage bowl space the primary time is one thing you gained’t overlook, it’s a surprising view that retains getting with every step nearer.
Taking a each day dip within the frigid glacier lake, is just not solely the supply of bathing, however probably the most refreshing technique to break up the solar beamed afternoons. I can’t say sufficient nice issues in regards to the pure magnificence you’ll discover everywhere in the competition grounds.
The Meals/Facilities
Myself, like many others, wound up overpacking camp-friendly meals for the occasion not realizing there can be ample meals, drink, snack, jewellery and clothes distributors on website. That is on high of a normal retailer contained in the camp that gives any important objects you may want throughout your keep.
The competition additionally hosts a particular farm-to-table bbq throughout lunch that a lot of my pals famous was “epic scrumptious.” The competition grounds additionally offered ample porta-toilets, hand wash stations and ingesting water taps in every clearing and tenting areas.
In brief, FITM did a fantastic job at protecting everybody protected, nicely fed, and quenched of thirst even in the event you confirmed up empty handed. This was greater than I anticipated, and pleasantly stunned at how simple it was to seize something you want.
The Love
With this yr’s competition apex being the assembly of Norwegian (By Norse Music) and American Native communities (Blackfeet Nation) coming collectively to interrupt bread, sweat, and drumsticks with us in attendance, proved to be a cultural expertise that was bigger than a steel competition and felt extra like a significant authorities and social paradigm shift that I couldn’t be happier to witness. Calling this years FITM “a steel competition” may even be a disservice to what unfolded in entrance of us.
Watching the pre-fest Blackfoot ceremony was hours lengthy and highly effective, significant and introduced many to tears because the tribe donned their conventional dressing and blessings to the big viewers of mature and open-minded attendees.
Watching Einar Selvik of Wardruna maintain again tears as he accepted the tribe’s providing, a painted animal cranium, was uncooked and emotional to say the least.
The presence of the Blackfoot Nation Council was prevalent via out the whole competition, a reminder why we had been all right here. I’m pleased to report the group greater than understood, revered and outright cherished the sentiment. It’s really an honor to be invited by the natives on their land, obtain a first-hand studying about their tradition, language, historical past, struggles and what our consideration to those issues imply to them. It was eye opening, coronary heart warming, gratitude at work and deeply emotional.
The reality is, I’ve realized extra about our natives via FITM in a single weekend, than I ever have in any guide or documentary. It’s one thing I’ll take with me, and bear in mind ceaselessly. The partnership between FITM and Blackfoot Nation really brings the earth and humanities collectively in a means I’ve actually by no means skilled wherever in my life.
I used to be additionally lucky to host the official listening celebration and Q&A for indigenous artist, Blackbraid, who not solely offered a profound have a look at the creation of his artwork and upcoming album III however annihilated his epic stay efficiency that felt particularly passionate and uncooked.
The Actions
The competition did an exquisite job protecting the viewers engaged for the whole lot of the times, in a select your personal journey form of means. The early mornings start with yoga and meditation on two breathtaking embankments of the lake, adopted by charming and insightful workshops in regards to the native indigenous tribe in addition to many about Viking tradition.
I selected to attend as many workshops as attainable every day, getting probably the most out of this unique first hand expertise. Because the workshops come to a detailed for the day, the stage bowl space comes alive beginning with a ceremonial blessing from the natives. Efficiency after efficiency we’re met with a slew of probably the most spectacular expertise that run the gamut of cultural people to blasphemous black steel and nearly every thing darkish in between.
It felt like Roadburn with cultural function, with a number of the lesser identified artists successful over the crowds with each strum. I truthfully didn’t witness one unhealthy set, or one I walked away from. Each artist that hit the stage felt like household, diversely expressive, and on a mission to be a part of one thing higher than us all.
Holding a crowd attentive, engaged, and impressed for 16 hours a day isn’t any simple feat, however FITM does it in fashion. Don’t take care of a selected workshop or band? No downside, you may go swimming, fishing, climbing, rafting, kayaking, paddle boarding, or simply bask within the magnificence when you wait. IMO it’s seemingly not possible to have a nasty time at this competition. You’re extra prone to burn out from eager to do an excessive amount of!
The No Alcohol Coverage
After they introduced that FITM was going to be a dry competition this yr, it seemingly turned the most important query on everybody’s thoughts. A steel competition with out its favourite lubricant? How will we survive!? Nicely, that is one among a number of methods FITM fully re-wrote what a steel fest is able to!
FITM’s dry run was made in effort to again suicide prevention and the psychological welfare of natives on the reservation. This was understood and revered by the patrons of the competition, and the craziest half is that nobody actually appeared to overlook being drunk, hungover, or really feel cheated on this wonderful expertise. I’ve personally had extra clear and current conversations than I ever had at festivals. I can bear in mind every thing that occurred. It felt nice to attach with different folks and be extra current by taking the time and persistence to take action with no haste.
Since everybody in attendance was equally dry all through the competition, it by no means felt awkward or incomplete as an expertise. In reality, it felt nice understanding we collectively united as a bunch to face for one thing optimistic and saved that message as vivid as attainable inside us. To not point out, the shortage of getting shit-faced made waking up at dawn and attending necessary workshops a hell of rather a lot simpler and fulfilling every day.
Fireplace In The Mountains shifting to Crimson Eagle Campground is by and enormous a complete new problem for this pioneering group that has been confronted with obstacles since its inception. Was the 2025 version good in each means attainable? No, however with new vigor, dedication and the proper partnership that may convey the message of nature meets artwork, eco sustainability, human rights, and cultural studying to the forefront, I’ve no doubts that Fireplace In The Mountains has simply rewrote the script on what a heavy music competition may and needs to be shifting ahead. My deepest respects to those competition artisans, and the group of us who “went first” to discover one thing fully new. Do your self a favor and do not miss out on 2026!