Gorgoroth isn't necessarily one of the most famous black metal bands, or the most well-liked in the extreme metal underground. Guitarist and founding member Infernus (Roger Tiegs), in particular, was often the subject of mockery and derision originating from more established artists. See the incident of Fenriz (of Darkthrone) calling the band "G*y Liberation Gorgoroth" in an old school interview.
But things took a much more somber turn of events, after Gorgoroth's recent performance at the Beyond the Gates festival, when guitarist Infernus was attacked and badly injured. In a he said he was assaulted by an unnamed individual, and that he had to undergo a "fairly complex operation". He attributed the incident to someone he called "some fat little insignificant ***", and this was the last we heard from Gorgoroth for quite some time - the incident having taken place in August 2023.
Infernus Settles the Score with King ov Hell and Gaahl
Infernus has historically been outspoken and controversial within the black metal scene, that is news for nobody. He claimed to be "best friends" with Burzum's Varg Vikernes - who denied even knowing who Infernus was - and, in addition to his provocative statements and actions, has also routinely feuded with his own bandmates: Gaahl, Tormentor, Pest, King ov Hell, Frost... the list goes on. (Gorgoroth is second only to Immortal when it comes to intra-band drama)
The flamboyant Gorgoroth guitarist was last heard of in August 2023, when he was attacked at Beyond the Gates (a metal centric music festival in Norway). Some people initially suspected that the attack was orchestrated by Gaahl (Kristian Espedal) and King ov Hell (Tom Cato Visnes) fans, but increasing evidence seems to suggest that the assault was politically motivated - other bands, such as Peste Noire, Horna, Taake, Marduk and Enslaved, have been targeted in the same way, for their "inappropriate" (alleged NS) lyrics.
In a recent interview with expert heavy metal author Morsay (Mohamed M.) for the upcoming book War Metal Beast, Infernus gave his first thoughts on the attack since it happened, way back in Summer 23.
How Infernus got into black metal music...
But first, Infernus gives some exclusive trivia about how and why he chose to become a musician in the first place.
Infernus: I had always had a wish of becoming a musician and a songwriter, all the way back into childhood. [...] At the time being, then as now, I was heavily influenced by bands like Bathory, Sauron, Possessed and the like. Right now I am listening to Mayhem. [...] And I do still enjoy listening to bands like Sodom, Sauron, (German) Poison and even Burzum. Or Klaus Schultze or Tangerine Dream. To mention a couple exceptions to the metal which is so important to me.
At least he "stays true" to the underground spirit. But Infernus also claimed he wanted Gorgoroth's music on MTV, so where does he draw the line?
What happened between Gorgoroth and Gaahl, King ov Hell...
One of the most notorious hilarious feuds in black metal history, besides the Varg vs Euronymous thing obviously, is the Gorgoroth name drama. We won't go into this any further, as the subject has been beaten to death. Suffice to say, Gaahl and King ov Hell accused Infernus of not contributing enough to the band (as well as taking Gorgoroth's lyrics in weird directions), whereas Infernus retaliated by taking them to court on the grounds that he started the band. Some twenty years later, Infernus goes over the drama once again.
Infernus: It was basically King ov Hell who went behind my back [and applied for trademark ownership]. [...] They had a more or less cunning plan on how to get away with the name, and they obviously planned it well too. I won because I was right and [King ov Hell] was wrong.
In a previous interview with Jon "Metalious" Kristiansen, Infernus bragged that he was ambushed by Gaahl "from the back", but defended himself using a katana. This was never corroborated by anyone in the band.
Contrary to the rumours, Infernus claims he never met Gaahl "in a g*y nightclub", but it was indeed he who first approached vocalist Gaahl and bassist King ov Hell to have them join Gorgoroth.
Infernus: I had that guy in mind for years, believe me. It was me who came to him. I spent some time on taking the decision - a week or so? - and I picked from the uppermost assortment of musicians all according to what I felt comfortable with.
Not bitter the slightest, Roger Tiegs recognizes the contributions of his fellow band mates Tom Visnes and Kristian Espedal.
On being assaulted, Infernus promises "repercussions"...
This is of course the most "noteworthy" part of the interview, given that no one from Gorgoroth had ever publicly talked about the incident before. In early August 2023, Infernus found himself being ambushed and beaten into a coma at the Beyond the Gates concert/festival. In his own words:
Infernus: Shortly after our concert here in Bergen, at the beyond the gates-festival, i was attacked by some fat little insignificant [***]. I was badly injured and inhospitalized [sic] for a fairly complex operation. For the next weeks, focus will be upon recovery, rehabilitation and repercussions.
On the previous day, many concert goers report chants of "Gaygoroth" and "Down with the Nazis" graffiti tags next to Gorgoroth's tour bus. Infernus claimed he was "personally against racism in both thought and practice", but many - including the head of the Bergen BLM antifascist chapter - felt that this was an (insincere) attempt at "damage control".
Samuel Berkawi: Many of these [NSBM, National Socialist Black Metal] bands have started to feel the winds turning in recent years. A lot of them are desperate to rebrand as 'apolitical' or 'pagan patriotic'. It's our duty to not let their nauseating history be white washed.
It's unclear whether the assault happened on the day of the festival, or the night before, as Gorgoroth was arriving to the scene. Infernus hasn't given any more details, and neither have his band mates (save for one, see below).
Ivan Thormodsen, a session guitarist in the late 90s and early 2000s (under the pseudonym T-Reaper), says he fully supports Infernus and Gorgoroth, while also understanding why "some people would react badly".
Ivan Thormodsen (T-Reaper): They [the Gorgoroth members] were always like that. There was always a desire to provoke. First it was about Satanism, then it moved into darker, more serious stuff like Adolf [H.] and wearing Absurd t-shirts. [...] I can understand why some people would react negatively. That's why I left [Gorgoroth].
These controversies surroundig Gorgoroth (and black metal in general!) are nothing new, as Infernus and Gaahl have both been sentenced to serve several months in jail by the Norwegian authorities, for sexual assault (Infernus, 2007) and sequestration (Gaahl, 2008).
Infernus on the "next generation", and his thoughts on Satanism and religion...
Infernus doesn't allow himself to be brought down by such trivialities, though. He plans to continue well beyond what he has already accomplished, and even taking on the next generation of black metallers.
Infernus: Talking about the next generation, I have plans for outgrowing them as well, so as long as I am able to continue with what I always have been devoted to, metal and Satanism.
The one constant in Infernus' live is his devotion to Satan, the "horned Goat". Unlike other black metal musicians, Infernus (and Gorgoroth) fully embrace "devil worship" and dark rituals. He previously claimed he made a "pact with the devil" to get back at Gaahl for "stealing his band".
Infernus: I have a Gnostic Satanic understanding of my being in the world. I am a religiously devoted Satanist. [...] I want to write, release and perform classic and good metal music. And I want to do it in the name of Satan.
Wow. So much edgy. Anyway, it's good to hear from Gorgoroth, as they have slipped somewhat under the radar these past years (the very negative reactions following the release of Instinctus Bestialis certainly didn't help).
Ad
> Slaves to the Grind: A Complete History of Grindcore Music (Best Selling Book)
Return to Voice Metal News.
Tweet