GORGOROTH „“Live in Grieghallen””

Music: Black Metal
Country: Norway
Web site: www.myspace.com/gorgoroth


Cool Songs: Destroyer, Revelation of Doom, Possessed (by Satan), Profetens Åpenbaring

GORGOROTH is one of the few true Norwegian black metal groups that is truly Norwegian black metal, at least in the original sense of the term. With the exception of “Twilight of the Idols,” which related a death metal sound, GORGOROTH has kept its music grim, hateful and most of all—satanic! The same cannot be said about some of the other Norwegian originals that have gone into more experimental territories, thus losing their evil touch.

“Live in Grieghallen” contains a set list compiled mostly from GORGOROTH’s early days. The group takes several tracks from the “Antichrist” and “Under the Sign of Hell” albums, which set the standard for grim black metal—a standard that bands of today often imitated yet never emulate. These tracks include catchy (like catching the Black Death) parts like the drum march on “Revelation of Doom” and the quintessential icy-toned guitar riff of “Bergtrolelts Hevn,” which invokes the demonic arrival of the “Antichrist” album. As far as I know, Profetens Åpenbaring is the only Viking-style GORGOROTH track in the group’s library.

The above-mentioned tracks were lifted from the pre-Gaahl era. It is interesting hearing Gaahl perform these songs. He stays true to the attributes of the original vocalists such as the spooky effects performed on “The Rite of Infernal Invocation.” Gaahl is much more impressive in his ability to sustain his vocals during a screaming part, revealing a psychotic element even creepier than the original pair of psychos.

The later material GORGOROTH chose to record on this album offer no comparison vocalists because these tracks came from Gaahl-fronted albums. Although they chose solid tracks, especially the title track from the “Destroyer” album, this material is not as good as the earlier tunes. Also, tracks such as “A World to Win” and “Inciptic Satan” both from the “Incipit Satan” album should have been included here. Material from their last two albums does not appear at all, which is fine because GORGOROTH seems to be taking an early black metal approach.

Those expecting a live album in “Live in Grieghallen” may be slightly disappointed because this album is live only in the fact that it was recorded live in a studio. This is not a true live album. It is sort of a best of re-recording with the band’s current incarnation or incantation, if you will. These newer versions have a beefier production and Gaahl out performs both of the initial vocalists. The only issue with this album is its brevity. Eight tracks doesn’t offer enough material. However, the legal issues surrounding this album may bestow it with the “rare” tag, usurping this issue of song quantity.

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1. Bergtrollets hevn
2. Destroyer
3. The Rite of Infernal Invocation
4. Forces of Satan Storms
5. Possessed (by Satan)
6. Unchain My Heart!!!
7. Profetens Åpenbaring
8. Revelation of Doom
Total playing time 31:00

Line-up

Infernus-bass and guitar
Gaahl-vocals
Garghuf-drums.