My introduction to Gorgoroth, Norway’s black metal baddies was 2000’s Incipit Satan, an album that I have great affection for. I had heard of the controversial band, but had not listened to them prior to the mid thousands, they quickly became one of my favorites and I voraciously went through the rest of the catalog with horns raised up high.

As part of the second wave of black metal alongside groups like Emperor and Mayhem, Gorgoroth formed in 1992 by the only remaining original member, guitarist Roger “Infernus” Tiegs. They released a demo then were immediately signed to Embassy Productions who put out their first proper recording, Pentagram. By this point they had already caused a stir with an article in a local newspaper concerned with the group’s Satanic leanings. Pentagram was recorded at Grieghallen, a concert hall in Bergen, Norway, constructed in 1967 and home to the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Gorgoroth has employed a constant revolving door, over twenty-five musicians have played in the band, on records and live performances. Samoth of Emperor played bass on Pentagram, while another prominent figure in the Norwegian black metal scene, Frost of Satyricon played drums on Gorgoroth’s second studio album, Antichrist. Both records are more straight forward black metal, and they great for the era, but neither are my favorite records in their discography.

Under The Sign Of Hell, was released in October 1997 and this is where the band starts to heat up. Profetens Apenbaring is my favorite track off of the album. It was the first album with vocalist Pest. Infernus recorded all of the guitars and all but one of the bass tracks on the song, Revelation Of Doom. Three people were responsible for majority of Under The Sign Of Hell, very different from the 1998 follow up Destroyer or About How To Philosophize With The Hammer, which features 9 musicians over the album’s seven original tracks and one Darkthrone cover. I have no explanation as to why, but one of my children chewed on both my vinyl represses of these two records. I can’t have anything nice.

Ah. We reach Incipit Satan, released in February 2000 and recorded in Stockholm. Vocalist Gaahl and bassist King Ov Hell had then become mainstays in the band and quite possibly my favorite incarnation of Gorgoroth. Don’t tell Infernus I said that. Incipit Satan is heavy and ambient, catchy and fierce. You can’t help but bang your head. The titular track, A World To Win, Unchain My Heart and When Love Rages Wild In My Heart are some of my favorite songs in their entire catalog.

Guitarist Tormentor quit the band in 2002 because he couldn’t agree with King Ov Hell, musically or personally, I’m unsure, maybe both. Gaahl also served a 9 month prison sentence for committing acts of violence. Twilight Of The Idols was released in August 2003, the first album where Infernus was not the sole songwriter. The album was written by King Ov Hell and drummer Kvitrafn (who would later form nordic folk group Wardruna), crafting excellent songs like Procreating Satan, Forces Of Satan Storms, Blod Og Minne, and the absolute banger, Teeth Grinding.

In 2004 they recorded a concert in Krakow, Poland, which was released on DVD. The concert became controversial for its satanic imagery, on stage were sheep’s heads on spikes, 80 liters of blood, and four naked models crucified behind the band. Authorities investigated the show, religious offence is a punishable crime in Poland. No charges were pressed, as the band said they were unaware of Polish law, but they were subsequently dropped from their label, Nuclear Blast. The incident only garnered them more attention, and a reputation for being fucking nuts. Kvitrafn would quit shortly after and be replaced by ex-Enslaved drummer Dirge Rep and also added guitarist Teloch from Nidingr, and of Mayhem since 2011, for live shows.

Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam, released in June 2006 would be composed entirely by King Ov Hell and Gaahl wrote all of the lyrics and would feature Frost returning to the fold for the last time. This is a solid album front to back, with no disrespect to Infernus, songs like Wound Upon Wound, Carving A Giant, Sign Of An Open Eye and Prosperity And Beauty have become staples. The third track off that record, God Seed, would later become the name of Gaahl and King Ov Hell’s band after attempting to fire Infenus and assume control of Gorgoroth, only to lose after a two year court battle. Satan apparently has no qualms about lawsuits. The court acknowledged that Infernus is the true king of Gorgoroth. All hail trademark laws.

Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt was released in October 2009, featuring songs Infernus had written as far back as 2006 before the soap opera bullshit occurred. Frank Watkins of American death metal royalty Obituary adopted the moniker Bøddel, meaning executioner in Norwegian, would assume Bass duties. Originally Obituary was called Executioner, and was changed after they learned of another band already using that name. Guitarist Tormentor and Vocalist Pest would rejoin, and they would add famed Dissection drummer Tomas Asklund. This acclaimed album was praised as a return to their earlier sound. There are no bad songs on this record and just might have the best song they’ve ever written with Satan Prometheus. This lineup would re-record Under The Sign Of Hell in 2011.

In June 2015, Gorgoroth released Instinctus Bestialis, soley comprised by Infernus, and first to feature vocalist Atterigner, replacing Pest who fired. This would also mark the final appearance of Bøddel, as Frank Watkins passed away on October 18, 2015 from an undisclosed form of cancer. It is hard not to compare this album to Quantos, the production is there and the first half of the album does the heavy lifting with songs like Radix Malorum, Dionysian Rite and Ad Omnipotens Aeterne Diabolus It is a good album though it just seems to fall slightly short with the might and fury of the rest of the band’s output.

Gorgoroth is noted as being Infernus, Tomas Asklund and Atterigner, while utilizing various players and usually fellow Norwegian Hoest from the band Taake handles vocals live. Gorgoroth are confirmed to play two big festivals this August and completed a short run through Europe earlier this year. It would be great if they were able to tour the states but I doubt it is a possibility, or it likely would have happened by now. It would also be pretty rad to see if they could put aside their differences, what hellish compositions they would create if Gaahl and King Ov Hell returned. It has been eight years since Instinctus and I’d love to hear what infernal riffs Infernus has conjured.

If you’re unfamiliar and you enjoy heavy music Gorgoroth is absolutely a band to acquaint yourself with. See the hordes ascend. See the horns rise.