GORGOROTH 'Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam' (Candlelight) RATING: 8/10 Buy now

By JEFF MAKI

"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.