The Norwegian black metal scene has become one of the most controversial in the world. It was here that a movement with a pronounced anti-Christian attitude was born. It has become an invariable attribute of many metal bands of our time.
In the early 1990s, the world shook with the music of Mayhem, Burzum and Darkthrone, who laid the foundations of the genre. This led to many successful bands appearing on Norwegian soil, including Gorgoroth.
Gorgoroth is a scandalous band whose work still causes a lot of controversy. Like many black metal bands, the musicians have not escaped legal trouble. They openly promoted Satanism in their work.
Even despite the endless changes in the composition, as well as the internal conflicts of the musicians, the group continues to exist to this day.
The first years of creative activity
In the early 1990s, black metal had already become one of the most popular underground music in Norway. The activities of Varg Vikernes and Euronymous have inspired dozens of young performers. They joined the anti-Christian movement, which led to the emergence of many cult groups.
The band Gorgoroth started its journey in 1992. Like many other representatives of the Norwegian extreme scene, aspiring musicians took on dark pseudonyms, hiding their faces under layers of makeup. The original line-up of the band included guitarist Infernus and vocalist Hut, who became the founders of Gorgoroth. They were soon joined by drummer Goat, while Chetter was in charge of bass.
In this format, the group did not last long. Almost immediately, Chetter went to jail. The musician was accused of setting fire to several wooden churches at once. At that time, such actions were not uncommon. In particular, charges of arson were also attributed to Varg Vikernes (leader of the Burzum). Varg subsequently served time for murder.
There is nothing surprising in the fact that the musicians began their journey precisely with a split with Burzum. The work was published in 1993. Shortly thereafter, the band released their debut album Pentagram. The album was recorded with the support of Embassy Records. The place of the bass player was temporarily taken by Samot, known for his participation in another cult band Emperor. But soon he was behind bars, becoming another metalist accused of arson.
Gorgoroth's debut album was characterized by aggression that surpassed even the creativity of such a black metal band as Mayhem. The musicians managed to create a straightforward album filled with hatred for the Christian religion. The album cover featured a huge inverted cross, while the disc featured a pentagram.
Critics note that, in addition to the obvious influence of Norwegian black metal, certain features of thrash metal and punk rock can be heard in this recording. In particular, the Gorhoroth group adopted an unprecedented speed, devoid of even a hint of melody.
Changes in the composition of the group Gorgoroth
A year later came the second album Antichrist, sustained in the same vein as the debut album. At the same time, Infernus was forced to be responsible for both the guitar parts and the bass.
It also became known that Hut intended to leave the group, as a result of which Infernus was forced to look for a replacement. In the future, Pest became a new member, taking a place at the microphone stand. The founder invited Ares to the role of the bass guitarist, while Grim sat down to the drum kit.
Thus, after several years of existence, the group changed its original composition almost completely. And similar events were in the Gorgoroth group many more times.
This did not stop the band from making their first tour outside of Norway. Unlike other black metal bands, Gorgoroth did not deprive themselves of live gigs, playing memorable shows in the UK.
At concerts, the musicians dressed in black outfits, decorated with pointed spikes. On the stage one could notice such invariable attributes of Satanism as pentagrams and inverted crosses.
Third album from Gorgoroth
1997 saw the release of their third album, Under The Sign Of Hell, which cemented the band's success. It was a commercial success, allowing the musicians to embark on an extended European tour.
Soon the group signed a contract with the label Nuclear Blast. And a new Destroyer album was released. He became the last for the vocalist Pest, as he was soon replaced by a new member Gaal. It was with him that the band gained wide popularity, releasing one of the most famous black metal albums in history.
But before recording Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam, the musicians managed to find themselves in the center of another scandal. It is associated with a performance in Krakow, broadcast on local television.
The concert was supposed to form the basis of the DVD, so the band tried to give the brightest show, supplementing it with animal heads impaled on spears and satanic symbols typical of the band. A criminal case was opened against the group under the article “Insulting the feelings of believers”. But the case did not end with success for the Polish judicial system. As a result, the musicians safely remained at large.
Gorgoroth band now
Despite the fact that the incident ended with the victory of the Gorgoroth group, the problems with the law did not end for the participants. Over the following years, the band members alternately served prison terms for various incidents. Gaal was accused of beating people, while Infernus was imprisoned for rape.
In 2007, the group officially ceased to exist. This was followed by lengthy legal battles between former members Infernus and Gaal. In 2008, there was another scandal related to the recognition of Gaal in homosexual orientation. It became a sensation for metal music in general.
As a result of the trial, Gaahl nevertheless retreated, starting a solo career. As a result, the band Gorgoroth resumed their activities with former vocalist Pest.
The album Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt was released in 2009. In 2015, the last album Instinctus Bestialis was released.
