"This is the epitome of black metal, despite what others think. The production is violent and harsh and hectic, and the vocals spew pure venom. The hatred is here, and so is the extremely overwashed guitars. Sure, there are a few slow songs here and there (The Virginborn, Open the Gates) but they are good slow songs. Songs like "The Devil, The Sinner, And His Journey" and "Slottet I Det Fjerne" are pure pieces of nuclear speed chaos (though not as fast as Mayhem), and "Destroyer" and "Pa Slagmark Langt Mod Nordt" are pure demonic mayhem, as if the demons of hell are speaking through your speakers. It is no surprise, then, that those two are my favorites on this album.
And by the way, Telnes, Tiegs, and Kronenes are Tormentor, Infernus, and Pest. Did it ever occur to any of you that their real names aren't Tormentor, Infernus, and Pest? Yes, they all have civil names that they use to sign their checks and other stuff like that.
Either way, this album blows about 90% of all black metal albums away. And it doesn't do it with all that schmaltzy symphonic crap; they do it with pure rage and emotion and chaos. This album is a pinnacle of Gorgoroth, I think. I like it much better than Antichrist, Pentagram, and Incipit Satan."
Best of Both Worlds
J. McHenry | Detroit, MI | 12/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a guitarist catching up on my Metal, these guys are a recent suprise. This album manages to follow the strict rules of Black while including enough variation and detail work to make tracks distinguishable from one another (a problem with some artists). The vocals have much more personality than most recent Metal acts - who cares if you can scream for forty minutes, dude?! The sound is amazingly filthy, lo res and harsh, another requirement of pure Black Metal. The drums don't fall into those alternating snare-bass spazzouts that are so unimpressive. You also get the kind of scary chord progressions one expects. In short, I think this is a great Black album, maybe the best I've ever heard (better even than Transylvanian Hunger). So if you prefer Immortal to Mastodon, this is where you need to drop your cash."
What is going on here?
Cremisi North | Ohio | 07/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have read many reviews and heard many comments by the "true" black metal fans on various websites totally belittling this album. So having heard this I didn't purchase it right away. Man, am I ashamed. This is one fine slab of black metal that will be in my CD player for days on end. The music is superb (I would expect nothing less of the band.) And sure, they experiment around here and there, but that doesn't detract from the sheer listening pleasure that this album provides. The vocals are sick as all hell, the production is a great blend (good enough to blast at extreme volume levels, but still holds that necro-tinny sound that Gorgoroth is known for.) Don't be fooled by what many say, this album is definitely worth every penny. My favorite track at this point is song 2, Open the Gates."
Very good album from Gorgoroth I'm very impressed.
Puzzle box | Kuwait | 03/08/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I would say that this album from Gorgoroth was pretty good and decent, if I hadn't recently listened to Twilight of the idols which I thought was a better album then I would have rated this higher than four stars. Anyway Gorgoroth is a very interesting and talented black metal group and unlike Darkthrone they can actually play thier instruments, this album has a very harsh and raw sound to it and has many blast beats like in the first song Destroyer which just blasts of with riffs that start soaring to incredible heights and has an almost piercing sound, this track is very heavy it's like having your ears bleed. Open the gates was also a great song and you could tell that there is an industrial element to the song however its not over the top like Dimmu Borgir. Also check out the long and epic track Virginborn this is a very good song which has some great drumming, I was very impressed with this group even though I'm not a huge fan of black metal these guys somehow changed my mind about this subgenre of extreme metal music."
Armageddon put to tape
W. G | united states | 01/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow. That's the first thing I could think to say when I first heard this bestial raid upon humanity. This is different from the three previous albums. While they retain much of their old style, new things begin to creep in here. First of all the production. It is industrial sounding to a point. By that I mean it sounds very dirty, chaotic and generally unpleasant. Also you will notice the use of more distinct melodies being brought into the forefront. Gorgoroth has always used highly original and beautiful melodies, but these are anything but beautiful. They are apocalyptic and just downright nasty. Everything just sounds so disjointed on this album. But that's where the real charm of this lies. It doesn't require linear sounding music for it to be brilliant. I'll be honest. This music is savage. It is barbaric and I wouldn't have it any other way! Black Metal is not supposed to be pretty. BM is hatred and that is exactly what is presented here.
New guitarist Tormentor is introduced here, as is vocalist Gaahl of Trelldom and Gaahlskagg fame (pick up their records too, they are just as good,) though he only sings on the first song (the title track, which also features a drum machine.) Infernus does guitar and bass on some songs, Frost provides drums on some as does Vrolok, and longtime vocalist Pest does the remainder of the vocals. This album was recorded during a period of four years (1994-1998.) The constant though is mastermind Infernus, founder, guitarist and primary songwriter of Gorgoroth. His riff work is still as stunning as ever I might add. Just for the record, here is the lineup for this record.
Vocals: Pest, Gaahl
Guitars: Infernus, Tormentor
Bass: Ares, T. Reaper
Keyboards: Daimonion
Drums: Frost, Vrolok
Anyway, enough of me rambling on about how great this is. Find out for yourself and buy this record. Help support Gorgoroth and all REAL Black Metal. Hail Satan!"