God Seed | |
---|---|
![]() God Seed | |
Background information | |
Origin | Bergen, Norway |
Genres | Black metal |
Years active | 2008-2009, 2012–2015 |
Labels | Indie Recordings |
Members | King ov Hell Gaahl Geir Bratland Stian "Sir" Kårstad Lust Kilman Kenneth Kapstad |
God Seed was a Norwegian black metal band based in Bergen, Norway. Former Gorgoroth members Gaahl and King ov Hell adopted the name in March 2009 following the ending of the Gorgoroth name dispute. After performing a few gigs as God Seed, vocalist Gaahl left the band in July 2009 [1] and it was put on hold. King finished the music for God Seed's first album, with vocalist Shagrath, and released it under the name Ov Hell. Gaahl re-joined God Seed in 2012. In January that year they released the live album Live at Wacken, and in October they released their first studio album, I Begin . [2]
God Seed’s roots hearkened to the band Gorgoroth and the Gorgoroth name dispute, when longtime Gorgoroth members Gaahl and King ov Hell attempted to remove founding member Infernus from the band in October 2007. Gaahl and King had joined Gorgoroth in 1998 and 1999 respectively, performing on the albums Incipit Satan (2000), Twilight of the Idols (2003), and Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam (2006). The two musicians wrote most of Twilight of the Idols and the entire Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam album. Gaahl also performed vocals on the title track of Destroyer (1998).
Following the conclusion of the Gorgoroth dispute in March 2009, when the court recognised Infernus as the legitimate owner of the band name, Gaahl and King assumed the name God Seed. This was the name of a song (originally intended to be the title track of Twilight of the Idols) on Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam.
While using the name Gorgoroth during the dispute, Gaahl and King had begun preparing a new album. When the new band name was announced in March 2009, it was revealed that the album would be released as the first God Seed album. This debut album was first expected to be released in late 2009, but was later postponed to early 2010. [3] The album was supposed to be released through Indie Recordings, who ostensibly signed Gaahl and King while they were using the name Gorgoroth during the dispute. [4]
By October 2008, everything except the vocals had been recorded for the new album. At certain points in time it was publicly stated by Gaahl and/or other parties that he had begun working on lyrics and vocal arrangements, but apparently on none of these occasions did Gaahl fulfil these. In October 2008, studio times were allocated so Gaahl could begin work, prompting the cancellation of a tour. [5] However, in December 2008 when interviewed by Faceculture, Gaahl implied that he had not yet worked on lyrics and vocal arrangements and intended to do so somepoint after the completion of the European tour with Cradle of Filth while they were still using the Gorgoroth name. [6] In early 2009, Gaahl and his partner Robin went on vacation in Spain for two months. [7] The Norwegian news outlet Nettavisen reported that he had been spending the winter there to help Dan De Vero record his debut album, although the veracity of this story has been in question especially since a day after publication the article was revised with almost all references to Gaahl removed. [8] While Gaahl was abroad, King claimed that he was using this time to work on lyrics and vocal arrangements, but after Gaahl returned from Spain it was stated by King that these had still yet to be done: [4]
We have recorded everything in the studio and are just waiting for Gaahl to put on vocals on it. So we have only vocals and the final mix to go before it's all done. It's sometimes a nightmare to work with him in the studio because of the pride he puts into the smallest details. If he is not in the right mood or doesn't find the correct words we get nothing done. At times I've spent days in the studio counting seconds with nothing happening. It's the same way now, but I know in the end the result will be unique and powerful. We have to wait till Gaahl is done writing his lyrics to choose the title for the album. When the whole concept of this album is done lyrically we’ll decide which title to use. [9]
God Seed performed at the two festivals Hellfest Summer Open Air [9] and With Full Force [10] in summer 2009.
At the With Full Force festival in the beginning of July 2009 Gaahl revealed to Rock Hard that he had quit God Seed, citing his lack of enthusiasm. [7] [11] [12] King later clarified that Gaahl had in fact chosen to retire from metal music, with King eventually forming Ov Hell with Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir and reincorporating the music which was intended to be on the God Seed debut album into his new band, with lyrics written by Shagrath. [1]
Gaahl re-joined God Seed in 2012. In January 2012, Live at Wacken was released, which contains live material (played under the name of Gorgoroth in 2008 at Wacken Open Air, during the name dispute) written by Gaahl and King since 1999 for Gorgoroth. [13]
On 23 October 2012, God Seed released their first studio album I Begin . Three years later, on 15 August 2015, God Seed played their final live show at Motocultor Festival in France. [14]
Gorgoroth is a Norwegian black metal band based in Bergen. It was formed in 1992 by guitarist Infernus, who is the sole original member remaining, and has released nine studio albums. Gorgoroth are a Satanic band and have drawn controversy due to some of their concerts, which have featured impaled sheep heads and mock crucifixions. The band is named after the dead plateau of darkness in the land of Mordor from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings.
Kristian Eivind Espedal, better known by his stage name Gaahl, is a Norwegian vocalist and painter. He is best known as the former frontman of Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. He is also the founder and lead vocalist of Trelldom and Gaahlskagg. Since leaving Gorgoroth, he has been involved with God Seed, Wardruna, and Gaahls Wyrd. He was the focus of the documentary True Norwegian Black Metal and also appeared in the film Flukt.
Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam is the seventh studio album by Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. It was released in Europe on 19 June 2006 by Regain Records and in the US on 25 July 2006 by Candlelight Records. This was the only Gorgoroth album on which all of the lyrics and music were written by Gaahl and King ov Hell, and was the last to feature both members. It also marked the return of drummer Frost and was the last Gorgoroth album that he appeared on. It was nominated for Norway's 2006 Spellemann award in the "Metal" category. It is the first Gorgoroth album with no Norwegian lyrics.
Roger Tiegs, better known by his stage name Infernus, is a Norwegian black metal musician and Satanist. He is the sole founding member and chief ideologist of the black metal band Gorgoroth, formed in 1992, in addition to being the founder and head of Forces of Satan Records. While mainly a guitarist, Infernus has also participated as bassist, drummer and vocalist on several recordings released both by Gorgoroth and other bands.
Twilight of the Idols (In Conspiracy with Satan) is the sixth studio album by Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. It was released on 12 August 2003 by Nuclear Blast and reissued in 2006 by Back on Black Records. It is the band's only album to feature drummer Kvitrafn.
Tom Cato Visnes, better known as King ov Hell or simply King, is a Norwegian musician. He is best known as the former bassist of black metal band Gorgoroth, and as a member of Audrey Horne, Sahg, I, Ov Hell, God Seed, Abbath, Jotunspor and Temple of the Black Moon.
Incipit Satan is the fifth full-length album by Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. It was released on 7 February 2000 by Nuclear Blast, and reissued in 2006 by Back on Black Records. Incipit Satan was the first album with King ov Hell as bassist, the last album to feature Tormentor on guitar and the only one with Sjt. Erichsen on drums. The band members dedicated the album to their deceased friend and former bandmate Erik Brødreskift.
Sahg is a three-piece Norwegian hard rock/doom metal band formed in Bergen in the summer of 2004, by key figures in the metal scene of their country: Tom Cato Visnes, Einar Selvik (Kvitrafn), Olav Iversen and Thomas Tofthagen. Iversen has been the main songwriter and the only constant member of the band since its inception.
Tormentor is a Norwegian black metal musician who is best known for his work as guitarist with the black metal band Gorgoroth.
Black Mass Krakow 2004 is a live concert DVD by the Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. It was released by Metal Mind on 9 June 2008 in Europe and on 8 July 2008 in the US. The DVD is of the band's controversial 2004 concert that was filmed in a TV studio in Kraków, Poland. The DVD also includes live footage from the Full Force Festival Leipzig 2000, band biography, discography, photo gallery, desktop images and web links, and is compatible with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound.
True Norwegian Black Metal – Live in Grieghallen is Gorgoroth's first full-length live album, released by Regain Records. It was recorded live in the studio at Grieghallen Lydstudio in Bergen and Threeman Recordings in Stockholm. The songs on the album represented the most commonly played songs in Gorgoroth's live set. The cover design by Magnus Wohlfart was radically different from the previous three full-length albums, being more reminiscent of the cover of the album Under the Sign of Hell (1997). Most of the album was recorded before the departure of vocalist Gaahl and bass guitarist King ov Hell, who had intended on using the band's name and assets. The bass guitar for this album was later re-recorded by guitarist and band founder Infernus. Infernus dedicated the album to the late Jon Nödtveidt of Dissection.
Originators of the Northern Darkness is a tribute album to the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem, with contributions from some of the leading bands in the black metal and death metal scenes. All the songs were recorded between 1998 and 2000 in various locations, and the album was released on CD in 2001 by Avantgarde Music. In addition to the regular CD, a limited edition CD in black leather was also released. The album was re-released on digipack CD in 2007 by Peaceville.
Gaahlskagg is a Norwegian black metal band from Sunnfjord, Norway. The band was founded as a side project in 1998 by Gaahl and Skagg. Gaahlskagg released one studio album before going on hiatus in 2001 due to Gaahl's commitment to Gorgoroth.
The Gorgoroth name dispute refers to a legal dispute between musicians from Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth over who had ownership of the band's name, which was derived from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. The parties to the dispute were band founder Infernus and members Gaahl and King ov Hell. It began in October 2007, when it was announced that Gaahl and King had decided to part ways with Infernus, although the former two claimed to have "fired" the latter. The dispute was concluded in March 2009 when a court verdict recognising Infernus as the legitimate user of the name was announced, and the outcome of the dispute also established a precedent in Norway for subsequent similar disputes.
Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt is the eighth studio album by Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. It was released on 21 October 2009 by Regain Records. This album marked the return of Pest on vocals, as well as the debut of Tomas Asklund on drums and Bøddel on bass.
Ov Hell is a Norwegian black metal supergroup started by Shagrath and King ov Hell in 2009. The band's debut album, The Underworld Regime, was released in February 2010 by Indie Recordings.
Arve Isdal, also known as Ice Dale, is a Norwegian musician and producer, best known as lead guitarist for the extreme metal band Enslaved and the hard rock band Audrey Horne. He owns and runs Conclave & Earshot Studio in Bergen together with former-Enslaved band member Herbrand Larsen. In addition to working as a musician and producer, Isdal also teaches music production at Noroff.
I Begin is the only album by Norwegian black metal band God Seed. It was released on 23 October 2012 in North America and on 30 October 2012 in Europe.
Gaahls Wyrd is a black metal band based in Bergen, Norway, formed by the former Gorgoroth and God Seed vocalist Gaahl.
Morten Bergeton Iversen, better known by his stage name Teloch, is a Norwegian musician and composer. He is a guitarist for black metal bands Mayhem and Nidingr, and fronts the eponymous electronic solo project Bergeton. Iversen is a former touring and session member of Gorgoroth, God Seed and 1349.