God Seed was a
Norwegian
Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to:
*Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe
* Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway
* Demographics of Norway
*The Norwegian language, including ...
black metal
Black metal is an extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include Tempo#Beats per minute, fast tempos, a Screaming (music)#Black metal, shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted Electric guitar, guitars played with t ...
band based in
Bergen
Bergen (), historically Bjørgvin, is a city and municipality in Vestland county on the west coast of Norway. , its population is roughly 285,900. Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway. The municipality covers and is on the peninsula of ...
, Norway. Former
Gorgoroth
Gorgoroth is a Norwegian black metal band based in Bergen. It was formed in 1992 by guitarist Infernus, who is also the only original member remaining, and the band have since released nine studio albums. Gorgoroth are a Satanic band and have ...
members
Gaahl
Kristian Eivind Espedal (born 7 August 1975), better known by his stage name Gaahl, is a Norwegian vocalist and painter. He is best known as the former frontman of Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. He is also the founder and lead vocalist of ...
and
King ov Hell adopted the name in March 2009 following the ending of the
Gorgoroth name dispute
The Gorgoroth name dispute refers to a legal dispute between musicians from Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth over who had ownership of the band's name, which was derived from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. The parties to the dispute were band ...
. After performing a few gigs as God Seed, vocalist Gaahl left the band in July 2009
[Baz Anderson]
''God Seed - Gaahl Retires From Metal''
and it was put on hold. King finished the music for God Seed's first album, with vocalist
Shagrath
Stian Tomt Thoresen (born 18 November 1976),[Shagrath](_blank)
at Encyclopaedia Metallum known professiona ...
, and released it under the name
Ov Hell
Ov Hell is a Norwegian black metal supergroup started by Shagrath and King ov Hell in 2009. The band's debut album, '' The Underworld Regime'', was released in February 2010 by Indie Recordings.
History Background
Ov Hell was formed by King ...
. Gaahl re-joined God Seed in 2012. In January that year they released the live album ''Live at Wacken'', and in October they released their first studio album, ''
I Begin
''I Begin'' is the only album by Norwegian black metal band God Seed. It was released on 23 October 2012 in North America and on 30 October 2012 in Europe.
Background
Following the very public Gorgoroth name dispute, former frontman Gaahl teamed ...
''.
History
![God Seed - 7](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/God_Seed_-_7.12.2012_-_Music_Hall%2C_Geiselwind_06.jpg)
God Seed’s roots hearkened to the band
Gorgoroth
Gorgoroth is a Norwegian black metal band based in Bergen. It was formed in 1992 by guitarist Infernus, who is also the only original member remaining, and the band have since released nine studio albums. Gorgoroth are a Satanic band and have ...
and the
Gorgoroth name dispute
The Gorgoroth name dispute refers to a legal dispute between musicians from Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth over who had ownership of the band's name, which was derived from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. The parties to the dispute were band ...
, when longtime Gorgoroth members Gaahl and King ov Hell attempted to remove founding member
Infernus
Roger Tiegs (born 18 June 1972 in Umeå), better known by his stage name Infernus, is a Norwegian black metal musician and Satanist. He is the sole founding member and chief ideologist of the black metal band Gorgoroth, which was formed in 1 ...
from the band in October 2007. Gaahl and King had joined Gorgoroth in 1998 and 1999 respectively, performing on the albums ''
Incipit Satan
''Incipit Satan'' is the fifth full-length album by Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. It was released on 7 February 2000 by Nuclear Blast, and reissued in 2006 by Back on Black Records. ''Incipit Satan'' was the first album with King ov Hel ...
'' (2000), ''
Twilight of the Idols
''Twilight of the Idols, or, How to Philosophize with a Hammer'' (german: link=no, Götzen-Dämmerung, oder, Wie man mit dem Hammer philosophiert) is a book by Friedrich Nietzsche, written in 1888, and published in 1889.
Genesis
''Twilight of th ...
'' (2003), and ''
Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam
''Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam'' is the seventh studio album by Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. It was released in Europe on 19 June 2006 by Regain Records and in the US on 25 July 2006 by Candlelight Records. This was the only Gorgoroth alb ...
'' (2006). The two musicians wrote most of ''Twilight of the Idols'' and the entire ''Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam'' album. Gaahl also performed vocals on the title track of ''
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast, manoeuvrable, long-endurance warship intended to escort
larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against powerful short range attackers. They were originally developed in ...
'' (1998).
Following the conclusion of the Gorgoroth dispute in March 2009, when the court recognised Infernus as the legitimate owner of the band name, Gaahl and King assumed the name God Seed. This was the name of a song (originally intended to be the title track of ''Twilight of the Idols'') on ''Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam''.
While using the name Gorgoroth during the dispute, Gaahl and King had begun preparing a new album. When the new band name was announced in March 2009, it was revealed that the album would be released as the first God Seed album. This debut album was first expected to be released in late 2009, but was later postponed to early 2010. The album was supposed to be released through
Indie Recordings
Indie is a short form of "independence" or "independent"; it may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Gaming
*Independent video game development, video games created without financial backing from large companies
*Indie game, any game (board ...
, who ostensibly signed Gaahl and King while they were using the name Gorgoroth during the dispute.
[Roy Kristensen]
''GOD SEED – NEW ENERGY''
By October 2008, everything except the vocals had been recorded for the new album. At certain points in time it was publicly stated by Gaahl and/or other parties that he had begun working on lyrics and vocal arrangements, but apparently on none of these occasions did Gaahl fulfil these. In October 2008, studio times were allocated so Gaahl could begin work, prompting the cancellation of a tour. However, in December 2008 when interviewed by Faceculture, Gaahl implied that he had not yet worked on lyrics and vocal arrangements and intended to do so somepoint after the completion of the European tour with Cradle of Filth while they were still using the Gorgoroth name.
[Gaahl / Video interview / Artists / FaceCulture - Online Multimedia Magazine](_blank)
In early 2009, Gaahl and his partner Robin went on vacation in Spain for two months.
The Norwegian news outlet ''
Nettavisen
''Nettavisen'' is a Norwegian online newspaper, launched in 1996 as the first online-only newspaper in Norway. The current editor is Gunnar Stavrum. As of 2015 it was one of Norway's most popular news websites.
History
The online newspaper (its l ...
'' reported that he had been spending the winter there to help Dan De Vero record his debut album, although the veracity of this story has been in question especially since a day after publication the article was revised with almost all references to Gaahl removed.
[DAN DEVERO - Vil bli popstjerne - Nettavisen](_blank)
While Gaahl was abroad, King claimed that he was using this time to work on lyrics and vocal arrangements, but after Gaahl returned from Spain it was stated by King that these had still yet to be done:
We have recorded everything in the studio and are just waiting for Gaahl to put on vocals on it. So we have only vocals and the final mix to go before it's all done. It's sometimes a nightmare to work with him in the studio because of the pride he puts into the smallest details. If he is not in the right mood or doesn't find the correct words we get nothing done. At times I've spent days in the studio counting seconds with nothing happening. It's the same way now, but I know in the end the result will be unique and powerful. We have to wait till Gaahl is done writing his lyrics to choose the title for the album. When the whole concept of this album is done lyrically we’ll decide which title to use.[Metal News - King Ov Hell Discusses New Band God Seed (Metal Underground.com )](_blank)
/ref>
God Seed performed at the two festivals
Hellfest Summer Open Air
Hellfest (), also called Hellfest Summer Open Air, is a rock festival focusing on heavy metal music, held annually in June in Clisson, France. Its high attendance makes it the French music festival with the largest turnover. It is also one ...
and
With Full Force
Full Force (previously With Full Force) is a German heavy metal music, heavy metal and hardcore punk-oriented music festival held annually since 1994. The 2011 edition took place between 1 and 3 July at Roitzschjora airport in Löbnitz.
Lineups ...
in summer 2009.
At the With Full Force festival in the beginning of July 2009 Gaahl revealed to ''Rock Hard'' that he had quit God Seed, citing his lack of enthusiasm.
King later clarified that Gaahl had in fact chosen to retire from metal music, with King eventually forming Ov Hell with
Shagrath
Stian Tomt Thoresen (born 18 November 1976),[Shagrath](_blank)
at Encyclopaedia Metallum known professiona ...
of
Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir () is a Norwegian symphonic black metal band from Jessheim, formed in 1993. The name is derived from Dimmuborgir, a volcanic formation in Iceland, the name of which means "dark cities" or "dark castles/fortresses" in Icelandic, ...
and reincorporating the music which was intended to be on the God Seed debut album into his new band, with lyrics written by Shagrath.
[
Gaahl re-joined God Seed in 2012. In January 2012, ''Live at Wacken'' was released, which contains live material (played under the name of Gorgoroth in 2008 at ]Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air (, abbreviated as W:O:A) is a rock music, rock music festival, held annually since 1990 on the first weekend of August in the village of Wacken, Schleswig-Holstein, Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Almost all styles and su ...
, during the name dispute) written by Gaahl and King since 1999 for Gorgoroth.[Diana Glöckner: ''God Seed''. ''Unter falscher Flagge?''. In: ''Legacy'', no. 75, 06/2011, p. 163.]
On 23 October 2012, God Seed released their first studio album ''I Begin
''I Begin'' is the only album by Norwegian black metal band God Seed. It was released on 23 October 2012 in North America and on 30 October 2012 in Europe.
Background
Following the very public Gorgoroth name dispute, former frontman Gaahl teamed ...
''. Three years later, on 15 August 2015, God Seed played their final live show at Motocultor Festival in France.
Band members
;Current members
* Gaahl
Kristian Eivind Espedal (born 7 August 1975), better known by his stage name Gaahl, is a Norwegian vocalist and painter. He is best known as the former frontman of Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. He is also the founder and lead vocalist of ...
– vocals (2008-2009, 2012–2015)
* King ov Hell – bass (2008-2009, 2012–2015)
* Stian "Sir" Kårstad – guitar (2012–2015)
* Lust Kilman – guitar (2012–2015)
* Kenneth Kapstad – drums
A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...
(2012–2015)
* Geir Bratland
Geir "Gerlioz" Bratland (born 29 July 1970 in Narvik, Norway) is a Norwegian keyboardist for the band Dimmu Borgir (2010-) and formerly was a member of the bands God Seed, Apoptygma Berzerk, The Kovenant, and Satyricon.
Discography/Performances ...
– keyboards, noise
Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing. From a physics standpoint, there is no distinction between noise and desired sound, as both are vibrations through a medium, such as air or water. The difference arise ...
(2012–2015)
;Live members
* Teloch
Morten Bergeton Iversen (born 19 November 1974), better known by his stage name Teloch ( ), is a Norwegian black metal musician known for being a live guitarist for Gorgoroth, God Seed and 1349. He is currently the guitarist for Mayhem.
Ca ...
– guitar (2008-2009)
* Sir – guitar (2009)
* Garghuf – drums (2009)
* Ice Dale
Arve Isdal (born 28 August 1977, Bergen, Norway), also known as Ice Dale, is a Norwegian musician and producer, best known as lead guitarist for the progressive black metal band Enslaved.
Career
Isdal was initially influenced by hard rock ba ...
– guitar (2008)
* Nick Barker
Nicholas Paul Barker is an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist who formed a rock, power pop band, Nick Barker & the Reptiles, in March 1988. Their cover version of Cockney Rebel's "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" reached the top  ...
– drums (2008)
Discography
*''Live at Wacken'' (2012) - live album recorded in 2008
*''I Begin
''I Begin'' is the only album by Norwegian black metal band God Seed. It was released on 23 October 2012 in North America and on 30 October 2012 in Europe.
Background
Following the very public Gorgoroth name dispute, former frontman Gaahl teamed ...
'' (2012)
References
External links
Official ''MySpace'' page
Official site
{{Authority control
Norwegian black metal musical groups
Musical groups established in 2009
Musical groups disestablished in 2009
Musical groups reestablished in 2012
2009 establishments in Norway
2009 disestablishments in Norway
Musical groups from Bergen