Gorgoroth has always been a problematic band in the black metal scene, to say nothing of their non-musical controversies. First of all, they are latecomers to the genre and, despite their claims of being "true original black metal", none of the members had any connection with the members of Mayhem, Darkthrone and Burzum... this despite Infernus (Roger Tiegs) repeating that he was Varg Vikernes' "best friend" and was "present at his trial" to show support. It's unclear whether Varg Vikernes even knows who Infernus is at this point.
The second point of contention, one that you are probably familiar with if you follow black metal closely, is that the Gorgoroth members - mainly Infernus, Gaahl, King ov Hell and Atterigner - are constantly in conflict both with one another, and also with members of the black metal scene at large. To take but one example, Infernus is notoriously hated by Fenriz, who famous declared "if Gorgoroth is what black metal is about, we want no part of [the black metal scene]" in a public interview.
More recently, after the politically motivated attack that left Infernus in a near comatose state last summer (and forced Gorgoroth to cancel their South America and Eastern Europe tours), the guitarist of the band has claimed he wanted to "mend ties" with King ov Hell and Gaahl, stating that a reunion "wasn't off the table".
Considering the notorious bad blood between Gaahl and Infernus, it's hard to see such a reunion ever happening... but we've seen more bizarre stuff in extreme metal, so why not?
Gorgoroth Interview, Infernus vs Gaahl vs King ov Hell
It's pretty well known that Gorgoroth was never well liked within the larger black metal scene. But when things started to get really out of control is when Infernus, Gaahl and King ov Hell - the three main creative forces behind the band - entered a legal dispute in 2008 over the rights to the band name "Gorgoroth". This was seen as a childish and poser move, which opened the gates to modern day drama like that of Immortal, albeit this one was perhaps even more cringe (if such as thing is even possible).
Infernus: "Gorgoroth is about Satanism above all!"
In a post-drama interview with the famous extreme metal expert and author Emile Alquier for his book "Heavy Metal Master Class", all three members of the "controversy" were interviewed about their opinions on their time with Gorgoroth... and the state of the modern day black metal scene.
Infernus: I started the group back it in the old days, years before I invited [Gaahl and King ov Hell]. I would not take the risk of not getting paid back properly when the 7th bassist tried to do what he did which was steal the name of the band and make the trademark his personal property... It's time to rise above that and get back to focusing on what Gorgoroth is really all about - the worship [of the Devil] and Satanism.
This is another point where Infernus is at odds with the larger black metal scene, who claim "devil worship" and such accusations were just an invention of the media. Satyr, of Satyricon, famously traced the rumours back to one journalist of the Bergen Times.
King ov Hell: "Gorgoroth would never have worked out with Infernus..."
On the "break-up" between Gaahl (Kristian Espedal) and Infernus, King ov Hell has already stated his own opinion on the matter. He reiterates here, to make it clear that "cohabitation" was no longer possible between the three men.
King ov Hell: We knew we would most likely not work with Infernus for a new record anymore already in 2006... The final decision was made during the summer of 2007, I think. We discussed many ways of dealing with it... [...] The band was made out of three very egocentric and non compromising individuals with a very strong will to power [...] but GORGOROTH is about Black Metal music, it's not a gay liberation front, so we knew things wouldn't work out while Infernus was still in the band.
This echoes some comments made by performer vocalist Hat, that Gorgoroth was a "difficult environment" to work in. Infernus was tried and - after several appeal processes - convicted of the "lesser" charge often reported as "gross negligent r-pe" and served a reduced sentence, prompting many high profile black metal musicians, including Samoth from Emperor, to question whether or not he was a "police informant" for getting such a light charge, in contrast to the much heavier sentences of Snorre Ruch for example, whose crimes were nebulous and often vaguely defined.
Gorgoroth on Commercial Metalcore and Cradle of Filth
On black metal turning into a commercial mess via the intrusion of latecomers like Dimmu Borgir, Ulver and... Gorgoroth itself! This time, Gaahl steps in to correct the rumours.
Gaahl: I think so. Black metal used to be very free back in the day and highly individualistic, but at some point, it kind of just turned into a very mainstream following.
King ov Hell, while not mentioning Infernus' recent flop "Instinctus Bestialis" directly by name, he nonetheless speaks of the incompatibility between black metal and the more commercial elements of music like Cradle of Filth.
King ov Hell: We would never play one show with another band if we would take into consideration that we would be viewed through their music or philosophy. ... CRADLE OF FILTH doesn't reflect any aspect of what we present. I have nothing more in common with CRADLE OF FILTH than with DARKTHRONE for that matter. That said. I personally get along with Dani Filth and the rest of the members of COF.
King ov Hell also played bass in Abbath's eponymous side-project, among other black metal related endeavours.
On the relationship with Gaahl and a potential Gorgoroth reunion
In a past interview, Infernus had strongly opposed any "making up" with Gaahl, saying their relationship was "over for good".
Infernus: I am done with that guy [Gaahl] and I am done with whatever he is up to. We live in total different worlds and we have done so for as many years as I can count back as of now.
In more recent times however, he has left the door open. But it's unclear whether the ex-members want to join Gorgoroth once more. Even if they weren't in conflict with Infernus, there seems to be very little contact between King ov Hell and Gaahl at all.
King ov Hell: We used to be closer. We don't share so many interests... we know each other rather well because of it. I live alone and he has his own room here that he can use when he is in Bergen, but we seldom end up at the same bars anymore.
So has the feud entirely disappeared... not so sure. It's more like Gorgoroth and the rest are rapidly losing relevance, as anyone could have predicted after the breakup and subsequent turn to metalcore and nu-metal "experimentation". For all Gorgoroth's (unjustified) criticism of Darkthrone, they would do well to learn a trick or two from Fenriz and Nocturno Culto, who have had a very lengthy career, and one free of controversy. Even to this day, Darkthrone are revered to the highest degree in the black metal underground... contrast that with Gorgoroth.
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