Gorgoroth hails from the mecca of black metal, Bergen, Norway, and takes its name from the plateau of darkness and evil in the Lord of the Rings.

Watch the video (NSFW) here below for Gorgoroth’s “Carving A Giant,” from the album Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam.

Since the band’s inception in 1992, it has been a lightning rod for controversy. As early as their first demos, their heavily Satanic imagery and lyrics led local parents to contact the local sheriff with their concerns. When they signed with Nuclear Blast, many fans cried foul at their alliance with the large mainstream metal label.

In 2004, while filming a live DVD in Krakow, the band got themselves into some hot water with the Polish authorities when they displayed severed sheeps heads impaled on sticks, four naked models mock crucified with executioner’s hoods over their faces, and dumped 80 liters of sheep’s blood around the venue. They narrowly escaped charges of religious offense and cruelty to animals. They were eventually released because they did not know that their theatrics were against Polish law, but the show’s promoter was fined the equivalent of $3,500 USD for knowing the actions were against the law and allowing the band to continue anyway. This whole affair led to the band being dropped from Nuclear Blast.

Gorgoroth has endured many lineup changes over the years and has at various times featured a “who’s who” of Norwegian black metal, including Samoth from Emperor and Frost from Satyricon and 1349. Guitarist Infernus is the only remaining original member.

In an very famous interview for the documentary Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, vocalist Gaahl was asked what inspired the band’s music, to which his sole reply was “Satan.” Gaahl himself is a very controversial figure and in 2010 became the first black metal musician to come out as openly gay.

In 2009, Gaahl and bassist King Ov Hell tried to fire Infernus from the band that he founded. A court ruled that Infernus was the rightful owner of the name and the dissident members were forced to continue under the name Godseed.

Video – Warning: NSFW