Gorgoroth

Band: Gorgoroth
Genre: Black Metal 
Album(s): Pentagram
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB-iQAddxzo

So now that I'm starting a new week, I've decided to make these posts a bit less formal; I'll give more of my own opinions and commentate a bit more on the actual music. In a sense, yes, they will be more like reviews. As a bit of a change, today I've chosen to review one of 2nd Wave of Black Metal's finest albums: Gorgoroth's "Pentagram."

With those distant shrieks by Gaahl (the lead vocalist) buried beneath the icy cold guitar riffs, this album really can give one chills down the spine (in a good way, of course).  Most of the tracks are relatively short and there are varying tempos between each track; some songs such as "Begravelsesnett" are thrash-reminiscently speedy while others have multiple tempo changes.  Overall, most of the music is fast and tense, but there will be slow sections that have the more "doomy" feeling.

Personally, I feel like the true black metal sound arrives on the second track titled "Crushing the Scepter."  At first, there's the gloomy, slow and atmospheric intro, and as it reels in the listener with its hypnotic timber, the winter black metal riffs find their way into your ears.  These black metal riffs are absolutely amazing, and they are one of my favorites of all time (which is probably why this album is praised so much).  This album creates such atmospheres (as I will elaborate on in a bit), that I can simply close my eyes and feel as if I am in the middle of a cold, snow covered mountain with a massive blizzard storm.  I would highly recommend listening to this album if A) it is winter or you live in a cold place, or B) you want to feel colder (so basically anywhere).

One thing I love about this album is the intense combination of the thick texture, low-fi production, and the distant, evil vocals as I've mentioned earlier, that create a one-of-a-kind black metal atmosphere.  Of course, none of this could work without the melodies played by the guitarist, which are absolutely awe-inspiring.  Song after song, this guy never ceases to amaze me with such memorable melodies that aren't overused nor generic/bland.  Many songs will work with a particular melody and just keep varying it a little, and maybe mess around with the other instruments.  It's a shame that a lot of people don't understand how dissonant music like this can be enjoyed, because in the end it's not only high quality music, but it's also innovative and unique.

Overall, if you want to get into black metal, all you need are two things:  Gorgoroth's "Pentagram" and an open mind.

~LeetMetalhead~