Gorgoroth: Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam

In terms of Black Metal extremism there is probably no band that has caused as much of a ruckus as the one and only Gorgoroth. When we last heard their name it was due to the concert in Poland which had found the band becoming practically enemies of the state due to their violent and highly graphic stage presentation. The group soon left Nuclear Blast Records and found Candlelight Music which is to be honest a far better home for their brand of mayhem. I never followed Gorgoroth in the past as they emphasize a little too much Satanistics for my taste and honestly I didn't like the music that I heard sampled on their site of their old stuff. However, this time around the band seems to have delivered a wholly different beast to their fans and being fair to them they have done a pretty good job of it. The album itself covers the same level of intensity that Gorgoroth is well-known for - this is a band that truly believes in their dark craft and the powers that it praises. Opener "Wound Open" is an immediate attack on the listener with Gaahl screaming his lungs out. His visage for those that never saw him is something that will give you nightmare's for weeks and his beliefs in why he sings about what he does is just as terrifying. The band features Infernus (guitar), King ov Hell (bass) and the inimitable Frost (drums) from 1349 and Satryicon for this release. "Ad Majorem" is the bands eighth release and since forming in 1992 hey have captured a following as ravenous and devoted as the band members themselves. It's not a band for everyone and I have to admit to being one of those numbers but I enjoyed a lot of how this record went down. This is pure Black Metal with no epic symphonic elements or even clean vocals. With Gorgoroth it is all about the brutality and one can find this delivered best in "Sign Of An Open Eye" and "Untamed Forces". My favorite track from the album would fall to "God Seed (Twilight Of The Idols)" since it had an unexpected mood and flair to it as well as "Sign Of An Open Eye" for its numerous changes from the patterns on the record. If blinding and absolutely sinister Black Metal is what you seek then it seems you have been looking for Gorgoroth. Now that they have you, there is nothing you can do.

Note: Shortly after this albums release King ov Hell had decided to leave the group. His replacement has not been announced at post time of this review.

Track Listing

1. Wound Open
2. Prosperity And Beauty
3. Carving A Giant
4. God Seed (Twilight Of The Idols)
5. Sign Of An Open Eye
6. Untamed Forces
7. Exit
8. White Seed

Added: August 31st 2006
Reviewer: Ken Pierce
Score:
Related Link: Gorgoroth Website
Hits: 5945
Language: english

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