Episode 40 – Temptations So Wild: Gorgoroth’s ‘Incipit Satan’

Departing from the tractor-beam blasphemy of their seminal first four albums, Bergen, Norway’s Gorgoroth offer a more panoramic approach to (a career in) evil on their daring fifth missive, Incipit Satan. IC absorbs influences from death industrial, morbid rock and roll, and melodic death metal, and transmits them with an elegant cruelty. The album stays true to the band’s revolving-door membership and is the first to feature bassist, King ov Hell, as well as the menacing and mysterious Sjt. Erichsen on drums. Most importantly, Incipit Satan is the first Gorgoroth to feature a full-album performance by vocalist Gaahl, who handles the music with Attila Csihar-like nuance and flexibility. Join us as we dig into this singular album from Norway’s most terrifyingly-depicted agents of destruction. Note I: In listing his favorite black metal bands during the episode, Wagner forgot Emperor. They’re firmly in that top 5: Bathory, Deathspell Omega, Mayhem, Gorgoroth and Emperor. Hunter offers his 5 favorites as follows: Emperor, Mayhem, Abigor, Bathory, Gorgoroth. Note II: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: paypal.me/rrpodcast

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Incipit Satan” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “A World to Win” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “Litani til Satan” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “Unchain My Heart!!!” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “An Excerpt of X” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “Ein Eim Av Blod Og Helvetesild” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “Will to Power” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “When Love Rages Wild in My Heart” (Incipit Satan, 2000) episode 41 preview: Paraxism, “Dive” (Selected Works, 1995 demo) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 40.