Back in 1998 I had no idea who Trelldom was, then Gaahl joined Gorgoroth, impressing me straight away with his dynamic range, so I looked up Til Et Annet… I assumed that Gaahl’s original band was put on ice because he joined Gorgoroth so I never followed developments over the years and was surprised when Til Minne… came out a decade later.

Not only that, but with the same lineup. Once again we the fans get to listen in on the real deal. This is black metal for purists, do not deviate from the formula, just perfect it. These guys helped write the formula anyhow. Albums like this will make you forget about Norwegian post black. They have captured the feel of a living breathing entity swirling through the mountain mists. They have also captured nostalgic souls like myself in the tapestry. The music varies from blistering hyperblast to Darkthronesque ritualistic but it is not the song structure that really counts here but the feel of the music. Pytten at Grieghallen studios is responsible for that. I wish modern Gorgoroth sounded this alive.

This time the nearly eleven minute “Steg” fills the ritualistic role of “Sonar Dreyri” from Til Et Annet…, both being highlights of black metal. The skills of Gaahl, Valgard, and Sir make even the Celtic interlude of “Eg Reiste I Minnet…” turn to gold, or at least tarnished copper. As for the vocals, my throat is still sore today from listening to Gaahl yesterday. The lyrics are once again mostly in Norwegian and for the most part clearly enunciated, and, of course, harsh. Gaahl is at once the definitive Hollywood evil voice and the characteristic black rasp and shriek. He also growls and roars and does a half spoken half sung passage as well.

Included in the thirty five minutes of highlights are “Bortkomme Svar,” “From This Past,” and “Steg.” My only real grip is that the album is only thirty-nine minutes long but pushing play again solves that, something I foresee myself doing quite a lot in the future. Next on the agenda is a new Gorgoroth studio album.

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