Gorgoroth

Gorgoroth
Gorgoroth live in Bergen, Norway - October 20, 2000. Gaahl (left) and Infernus (right).
Background information
Origin	Sunnfjord, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
Genre(s)	Black metal
Years active	1992 – present
Label(s)	Embassy Productions, Malicious, Century Media, Nuclear Blast, Regain, Season of Mist[1], Forces of Satan[2]
Associated acts	1349, Aeternus, Audrey Horne, Borknagar, Dawn, Desekrator, Dissection, Emperor, Gaahlskagg, I, Immortal, Jotunspor, Malignant Eternal, Norwegian Evil, Obituary, Obtained Enslavement, Orcustus, Sahg, Satyricon, Sigfader, Trelldom, Wardruna
Website	www.gorgoroth.org www.gorgoroth.info
Members
See below
Former members
See below

Gorgoroth is a black metal band based in Bergen, Norway. It was founded in 1992 by Infernus, but since October 2007 the band has split into two factions – one led by Infernus and the other led by Gaahl and King ov Hell – each determined to continue under the Gorgoroth name. This name was derived from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings, in which Gorgoroth is a dead plateau of evil and darkness in the land of Mordor.

History

Early years (1992–1998)

Gorgoroth was formed in 1992 by guitarist Infernus.^[3] In 1993, the band released their first demo, entitled A Sorcery Written in Blood.^[4] On January 7, 1994, Firda, the major newspaper in the county of Sogn og Fjordane where the band originated from, ran a cover story on the demo, with the headline "Local music with Satanic symbolism". According to the article, the release of the demo and flyers with Satanic symbols led to "concerned parents contacting the Sheriff's Office in Fjaler".^[5] After the demo was released, Gorgoroth signed a record deal with Embassy Productions and started work on their debut full-length Pentagram.^[6] When bassist Kjettar left the band in 1993, Samoth of Emperor joined Gorgoroth as their new bassist, and participated in the recording of the album. After Pentagram was completed and released in 1994, Goat left the band and was replaced by Frost from Satyricon. The band performed their first concert at Lusa Lottes Pøbb in Oslo, Norway, on May 3, 1994, at a four-day Black Metal Nights festival with bands such as Dark Funeral (who also made their live debut), Dissection, Enslaved, Marduk (who played their first gig abroad), Gehenna and Hades Almighty.^[7][8][9]

This was followed by gigs with Enslaved in Bergen (in June and September) and in Haugesund (in November), and the band performed their first gig abroad in Annaberg-Buchholz in Germany on December 10, 1994. The same year, the band commenced the recording of Antichrist (originally titled Død), their second full-length album. Vocalist Hat decided to leave Gorgoroth in September 1995, but agreed to finish recording the vocal tracks for the album. After Hat left, Infernus recruited vocalist Pest from Obtained Enslavement as Gorgoroth's new vocalist. In December 1995, the band supported Cradle of Filth at the London Astoria, a show which also included the band Primordial.^[10] This marked the first Gorgoroth live appearance of both vocalist Pest and bassist Ares. In 1995 the band had been offered a record deal with Moonfog Productions, but this offer was rejected in favour of an offer made by German label Malicious Records. Malicious Records released the band's second album, Antichrist, in 1996, and also re-released the debut album Pentagram. The band went on a European tour with Satyricon and Dissection in April 1996^[8], followed by a one-off gig in Bergen with Hades Almighty and Gehenna, at which the live EP The Last Tormentor was recorded. The band also played a one-off gig in the fall in Bischofswerda, Germany, with Behemoth. Soon the name Gorgoroth was commonplace in the black metal underground, both in Norway and in the rest of Europe, if somewhat overshadowed by some of the more famous black metal bands such as Mayhem or Emperor. The band's third full-length album, Under the Sign of Hell, was recorded in spring 1996, and guitarist Tormentor joined the band later in the year. Under the Sign of Hell was released in 1997, and Gorgoroth went on their first headlining European tour in fall 1997, with support by Mystic Circle.^[11] It was on this tour that Infernus and Tormentor were approached by the major German heavy metal record label Nuclear Blast, who wanted to sign the band. The band accepted the offer in late 1997.^[12][13]

Tenure with Nuclear Blast (1998–2004)

The move to Nuclear Blast was controversial among many black metal enthusiasts who pertained to the tenets of an 'underground black metal scene', however Gorgoroth sought to utilise Nuclear Blast's distribution capacity for their own ends.^[12][14] The first album recorded and released for Nuclear Blast was Destroyer (1998). New singer Gaahl joined the band at this time, but was heard on only one song, the title track "Destroyer". The music and lyrics on the album were mainly written by Infernus, but guitarist Tormentor also contributed as composer, most notably on the title track, and former vocalist Pest wrote the lyrics on 3 tracks. In May 1998, Gorgoroth accompanied Cradle of Filth on their European tour, with support from Old Man's Child and Einherjer.^[15][16] Gorgoroth also performed at Wacken Open Air in summer 1998^[17], and performed at the Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in Helsinki, Finland, and in Oslo, Norway with Gehenna and Dødheimsgard.^[18]

In 1999, Gorgoroth began journeying into unknown territory with the recording of Incipit Satan. Though mainly written by Infernus once again, the album delved into musical ideas not expanded upon by the group in previous recordings. Songs such as "Will to Power" showcased strong industrial, dark ambient, and noise influences (more so than on Destroyer and Under the Sign of Hell, both of which showed signs of experimentation). The song "When Love Rages Wild in My Heart" featured clean, bluesy vocals. Overall, the album displayed progressive tendencies, yet still retained a traditional black metal edge and Infernus' signature sound. The album was recorded during 1999, after drummer Vrolok and bassist T-Reaper had left the band and been replaced by drummer Erlend Erichsen (a.k.a. Sersjant) and bassist King ov Hell. Drummer Erlend Erichsen left the band after the recordings were finished, and Incipit Satan was released in 2000, preceded by a European tour in December 1999, supporting Morbid Angel.^[19] In May, 2000, Gorgoroth headlined a European tour, with bands like Old Man's Child and Krisiun as supporting acts.^[20] In early June 2000, Gorgoroth performed at the first Hole in the Sky festival in Bergen, Norway. This festival was arranged in memory of former Gorgoroth drummer Grim, and also included bands such as Immortal, Enslaved, Obtained Enslavement, Hades Almighty and Aeternus. On June 23, 2000, Gorgoroth headlined the "Knüppelnacht" stage at the With Full Force festival in Leipzig, Germany.^[21]

After a couple of Norwegian concerts in 2000 and 2001, Gorgoroth made their hitherto only live appearance in the US, at the Milwaukee Metalfest in August 2001. In September and October 2001, the band went on two mini tours of Mexico and Colombia. In 2001 Gorgoroth was also featured on a tribute album to the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem, with a cover version of that band's "Life Eternal" from the De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas album. This song had been recorded in 1998, and featured Gaahl on vocals, as well as Infernus and Tormentor on rhythm guitars, T-Reaper on lead guitar and bass, and Vrolok on drums.^[22] This is the only released Gorgoroth recording which has not appeared on a full-length Gorgoroth album. In February 2002, vocalist Gaahl was put into custody after being accused of having beaten a man at an after-party.^[23] This led to him having to serve 9 months in prison in 2002, due to an already existing unserved 1 year sentence for previously committed acts of violence. He was released from prison in December 2002.^[24]

In 2002, Tormentor decided to quit the band^[25], ending the stable 5-piece line-up of Gaahl, Infernus, Tormentor, King ov Hell and Kvitrafn, which had been formed in 2000. After Tormentor's departure, Gorgoroth began writing their new album, Twilight of the Idols. The album showed a return to a more solidified black metal style, but was still quite different from early Gorgoroth releases, mainly due to the fact that most of the album's songs were written by bassist King and drummer Kvitrafn rather than Infernus. The band played their first live gig in a year and a half at Garage in Bergen in April 2003, with Tormentor returning as guitarist for a one-off show.^[26] Twilight of the Idols was released by Nuclear Blast in May 2003^[27], and the band subsequently performed at the Hole in the Sky festival in Bergen in August 2003. This marked the first Gorgoroth live appearance of session guitarist Apollyon of Aura Noir.^[28]

Controversy in Kraków (2004)

Main article: Black Mass Krakow 2004

On February 1st, 2004, during a recorded for DVD concert in Kraków, Poland, the band displayed sheep heads on stakes, a bloodbath of 80 liters of sheep's blood, satanic symbols, and four naked crucified models on stage. A police investigation took place with allegations of religious offense (which is prosecutable under Polish law) and cruelty to animals^[29]. Though these charges were considered, the band was not charged as it was ruled that they were unaware of the fact that what they were doing was illegal, although the concert organizer was eventually fined 10000zł (~$4,658 USD/£2358 GBP) in 2007 as he knew about it and neither informed the band that it was against the law nor intervened.^[30] The whole controversy led to the band being dropped from the roster of the Nuclear Blast Tour and the footage of the concert being confiscated by the police^[31]. Following this controversy - and also having achieved a satisfactory degree of worldwide recognition through Nuclear Blast's distribution facilities - Gorgoroth terminated their contract with the label. Gorgoroth supposedly secured a reputation as a band with a vehement anti-Right Hand Path agenda, of which select employees in the company were alleged to have felt uneasy with due to their own personal beliefs.^[14]

After a successful South American tour of Brazil, Chile and Argentina, and a performance at Norway's Inferno Festival, it was announced in April 2004 that drummer Kvitrafn had decided to leave the band.^[32] For the band's European and Central American headlining tours of October and November 2004, drummer Dirge Rep (ex-Enslaved, Gehenna) and guitarist Teloch (Nidingr) were recruited.

Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam (2005–2007)

After various gigs around Norway and Europe in the first half of 2005, including the With Full Force Festival in July, Gorgoroth then went out on a month long European tour with 1349 in November 2005, this time with Skagg (Gaahlskagg) replacing Teloch as live guitarist. On December 10, 2005, Gorgoroth played live in Trondheim, Norway, a gig which was to be their last live performance until summer 2007.

Gorgoroth released Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam in June 2006 through Regain Records. This was only the second Gorgoroth album to be released since 2000's Incipit Satan - a noticeable reduction in productivity from band that had previously released 2 demos, 5 full-length albums and 1 live EP between 1993 and 2000. For the recording of the new album, Frost again performed on the drums. This album helped the band to expand its fan base. A short time after the album was released, bassist King quit the band. According to the official website, King left because he "had problems fronting some of the ideological aspects of his band GORGOROTH's agenda".^[33][34] In an interview made shortly after quitting the band, he confirmed he had problems with the ideology in public, but not in his private life.^[35] Gorgoroth was nominated in the "Metal" category at the 35th annual Spellemann Awards for this album (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards). Gaahl served a sentence in jail from spring to December 2006 for the assault which happened in February 2002, and Infernus served a 4 month sentence for 'gross negligent rape' between October 2006 and March 2007, for an incident which took place in 2003.^[36][37] When the latter was released, it was reported that Infernus had started 'working on new material, both music and lyrics for an upcoming album, title yet undecided'. ^[38]

In January 2007, it was reported that Gaahl was under investigation by Norwegian Police for his comments in an interview in Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005), which had been broadcast on Norway's Lydverket NRK 1 on January 24th 2007, where he said 'church burnings are things that I support one-hundred percent, and they should have been done much more and will be done much more in the future'.^[39] In April 2007, a 5-part series entitled True Norwegian Black Metal, produced by Peter Beste for Vice, aired on VBS.tv. The documentary largely followed the life of vocalist Gaahl.[1] With King back in the band, the video for 'Carving a Giant' off Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam was also filmed and broadcast on Norwegian MTV that month.

In July and August 2007, Gorgoroth returned to the live arena with performances at festivals in Norway, Germany and the Czech Republic. In September 2007, the band went on a South American tour of Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador and Chile with Belphegor.^[40] This would be the last time the trio of Infernus, Gaahl and King performed a concert together.

Band split controversy (2007–present)

In October 2007, Infernus announced on the band's official Myspace page that "a decision to split up the band" had been made with him on one side, Gaahl and King on the other.^[41] The statement explained that the members "cannot continue working together any longer" and further noted that both sides intended to continue under the band's name.^[41] A statement from Gaahl and King was also issued on the same day.^[42] Gaahl issued another statement two days later claiming that the band "has not split up but continued on in a different form."^[43] The statement further claims that Infernus "has not been a creative force for the last eight years" and "has shown no interest in the art [of] defining Gorgoroth during that same period of time."^[43] Infernus responded on the following day with a statement noting that he claims the legal right to band's name as "the founder and only original member of the band."^[44]

The Gaahl-fronted version of the band announced that the renowned Hellhammer would join them on drums from the beginning of 2008^[45] while Teloch and Nicholas Barker were revealed as members of their touring line-up.^[46]

Another statement (intended to be the 'last in a line of short open letters to the media') from Infernus arrived a week later claiming that Gaahl "has been considering quitting the band numerous times" while King had left the band the previous year "due to difficulties combining playing in a clear-cut Satanic metal band as Gorgoroth with the fact that he is full-time employed as a primary school teacher."^[47] Infernus further notes that as the band's founding member, he would "not agree on giving away the name [he] rightfully own to [their] third vocalist and sixth or seventh (!) bass player for whatever reasons they might have."^[47] Furthermore, he said that he was in the process of finishing and preparing the material he reportedly started in October 2006 and was first reported writing when he was released on parole in March 2007, declaring the title to be Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt.^[47][48]

Gaahl (left) and King ov Hell (right) performing as Gorgoroth in November 2007.

It was also revealed that without the knowledge of Infernus, King ov Hell had applied for the trademark ownership of the band name and logo of Gorgoroth before going on the South American tour in September 2007.^[49] Infernus' attorney Egil Horstad of Vogt & Wiig warned Gaahl and King that this application was in abrogration of select sections of the Patentstyret Trademark Act. ^[47] On their November European tour, the Gaahl-fronted version of the band frequently used the name "The Force Gorgoroth"^[50][51][52], and there also existed a King ov Hell/Gaahl trademark application for this band name.^[53]

In December, Regain Records issued a press release to announce that they "will continue the co-operation with the band's original member Infernus with a new line-up" and that the label "recognizes Infernus as the rightful owner of the bands name, logo and trademark, and is prepared to take any legal steps necessary to prevent any third part from exploiting it, artistically and commercially."^[54] A week later, Gaahl and King delivered a statement announcing that it has been "legally determined" by the Norwegian patent office that they "retain the rightful ownership and use of the name and logo, now and in the future."^[55] After the Patent Office's first department had thus accepted King's Gorgoroth trademark application, King and Gaahl withdrew their application for the trademark of "The Force Gorgoroth".^[53] The statement also declared that Gaahl and King has severed ties with Regain Records for "their disloyal acts" and are "carefully choosing a new label for the release of their next full-length album."^[55] Infernus subsequently declared that the Norwegian patent office decision will be appealed by Regain Records and himself.^[56] He also revealed Tomas Asklund and Frank Watkins as members of his Gorgoroth line-up.^[56]

In March 2008, Infernus announced that he hired an additional lawyer - Kate I Lohren of Onsagers AS - and made a non-negotiable offer to Gaahl and King with a three day deadline.^[57] The offer was not accepted and Infernus then declared that his attorney will appeal the Norwegian Patent Office decision and "commence legal proceedings in order to have the matter handled by the courts."^[58]

The controversial 2004 Kraków gig was finally released on DVD in June 2008, more than 4 years after its recording. It was released by Metal Mind Productions under the title Black Mass Krakow 2004, and entered the Norwegian music DVD chart at position 4 in its first week of release.^[59] It remained in the charts for five weeks, peaking at a number 3 position.^[60]

On May 30, 2008, Regain Records announced the June 2008 release of True Norwegian Black Metal - Live in Grieghallen, a new Gorgoroth album recorded live in studio.^[61][62] The recording line-up consisted of Infernus on guitars and bass, Gaahl on vocals, Teloch on session guitars, and Garghuf on session drums.^[63] In July 2008, the Gaahl and King fronted version of Gorgoroth posted a MySpace bulletin announcing that "Swedish court authorities (Malmø tingrett) have sided with Gorgoroth copyright holders Gaahl and King" against Regain Records in halting the distribution of the album. According to the bulletin, Regain Records had "illegally removed King's bass tracks and mixed the recordings without the knowledge of Gaahl and King". King and Gaahl claimed that Regain Records thus broke their contract with them. The bulletin also announced that they plan on taking further action against Regain Records.^[64] The following day, Regain Records released a response to the announcement, stating that the ceasing and sales of marketing was "only an interemistic decision made by the court to stop all actions in regards of the album" until "the case is settled and there's no verdict made on the matter yet". ^[65]

On August 12, 2008, Infernus issued a statement saying that the Gorgoroth trademark matter will not be decided until a verdict is made in a yet to be announced trial in Oslo, Norway. Also, the conflict between Regain Records and Gaahl/King ov Hell about True Norwegian Black Metal - Live in Grieghallen will be decided in another to-be-announced trial in Malmö, Sweden; until then, a temporary injunction has stopped Regain Records from promoting and distributing the album.^[66]

Gaahl and King ov Hell confirmed through a Myspace bulletin that their fronted version of the band will be entering the studios on August 25 to record a new album which is as-of-yet untitled. The album will be the first to feature live members Teloch and Ice Dale. Despite being announced as the drummer in 2008, Hellhammer will not be the drummer for the album. Instead Frost has once again been tapped to record the drums for the album.

In September 2008, Infernus announced that former Gorgoroth guitarist Tormentor had accepted his offer to rejoin him in his new Gorgoroth line-up, together with Tomas Asklund and Frank Watkins.^[67]

On December 1st 2008, it was announced on Infernus' official Gorgoroth website that a trial date was scheduled in Oslo, Norway, to take place in the last week of January 2009. On December 4th, it was announced that Pest had returned as the vocalist.^[68]

Suppression of lyrics and tablature

Gorgoroth not only refuses to publish their lyrics - and in some cases tablature ^[69], but also actively suppresses any public showings of fan-written reconstructions. The reason for this suppression is not fully known, though possible reasons include the desire to prevent other bands from covering Gorgoroth material as well as the preservation of the genre’s characteristic remoteness and exclusivity. The metal-lyric website Darklyrics.com contains the message “Gorgoroth lyrics removed due to copyright complaint by the band,” in lieu of any actual lyrics. Lyricsondemand.com displays a cease-and-desist message from Arne Beckmann of Prophecies Publishing which reads as follows ^[70]:

Dear siteowners, Please note that I am writing on behalf of Prophecies Publishing (PP) and as their business manager. PP is the official music publishing company of the band Gorgoroth. The band has requested us to take care of a removal of their lyrics from your website. Herewith we request you to remove any lyrics of the band Gorgoroth from your systems immediately, but not later than 18th Feb 2004. Please be aware that we will undertake any necessary steps (even legal steps) to enforce this. This is nothing against you and your business or dedication, but you will understand that we as music publisher of the band will have to enforce the copyright as desired by the songwriters. Since you did not license the lyrics you violate international copyright laws and conventions. With best regards, Arne Beckmann Prophecies Publishing

Some onlookers have been highly critical of Gorgoroth's lyrical suppression. As the lyrics are very difficult to decipher, as with many extreme metal lyrics, especially those not used to black metal style vocals, it has been suggested the band's stance has been paradoxical, citing their emphasis on ideology over music.

Line-up

Since October 2007, the band's name has been in use by two different entities as detailed above.

Discography

Studio albums

• 1994: Pentagram
• 1996: Antichrist
• 1997: Under the Sign of Hell
• 1998: Destroyer
• 2000: Incipit Satan
• 2003: Twilight of the Idols
• 2006: Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam

Live albums and videos

• 1996: The Last Tormentor
• 2007: Bergen 1996^[2]
• 2008: Black Mass Krakow 2004
• 2008: True Norwegian Black Metal - Live in Grieghallen^[76][77]

Demos and promos

• 1993: A Sorcery Written in Blood
• 1994: Promo '94

Other appearances

• Blackend: The Black Metal Compilation: Volume 1 (1996)
• Feuersturm (1997)
• Feuersturm: Volume II: The Ultimate Storm (1998)
• Darkthrone Holy Darkthrone (1998)
• Death... Is Just the Beginning V (1999)
• Death... Is Just the Beginning V (video) (1999)^[78]
• Death... Is Just the Beginning VI (2000)
• Originators of the Northern Darkness - A Tribute to Mayhem (2001)

References

External links

• Official Gaahl-fronted Gorgoroth website
• Official Infernus-fronted Gorgoroth website
• At MySpace: Gorgoroth (Gaahl and King fronted) Gorgoroth (Infernus fronted)