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GORGOROTH
'Ad Majorem
Sathanas Gloriam'
(Candlelight)
Review by Jeff Maki
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"In the name of terror and fear, fear of
the powers of darkness: prepare for a coming of a modern day
inhuman and non-secular Satanism channeled through the vehicle
of metal music as only these infernal servants are able to."
-- www.gorgoroth.org
The above statement couldn't hold more true on Gorgoroth's
seventh release, Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam, an
eight-song black metal opus that intends to punish the listener--violently.
The band--founder/guitarist Infernus, bassist King ov Hell,
vocalist Gaahl and session drummer Frost (1349/Satyricon)--churn
out a layered, blasting effort which rarely comes up for air.
In recent years, black metal has somewhat invaded the metal
mainstream, with Dimmu Borgir and Cradle Of Filth landing
on Ozzfest. In a scene where it is often hard to distinguish
truth from gimmick, Gorgoroth's facepainting satanic metal
seems all too real. "Redefine" or "experimentation" are not
in Gorgoroth's vocabulary. Songs such as the pummeling album
opener, "Wound Upon Wound," and the lightning-fast assault
of "White Seed" are proof that Gorgoroth have no intention
of straying from their black metal origins. The album's wall
of sound brings to mind earlier black metal efforts from Emperor,
Immortal or Darkthrone. The album pays homage to the past
as much as it states a case for Gorgoroth as the new reigning
dark lords of Norway's scene. Gaahl's sickening vocals sound
like pure satanic evil or like he's intensely vomitting--you
decide. The wall of guitars and Frost's impressive performance
on the skins combine for the most intense metal recording
in recent memory. This album shows an accomplished black metal
band delivering as only Norway's finest could provide.
Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam will certainly not appeal
to any new fans, but fans of traditional satanic black metal
will have their own personal soundtrack to hell.
®2006 Live-Metal.net
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