GORGOROTH - Black Mass Krakow 2004
December 23, 2008, 16 years ago
(Metal Mind)
Originally aired live in February 2004 by Polish state TV station TVP, the resulting footage - deemed too extreme by Polish authorities - threw Gorgoroth into the center of a nationwide scandal. The band were subsequently investigated for crimes against religion and animal cruelty, which, if found guilty, is punishable by up to two years in prison. In the end, Gorgoroth avoided any charges, and fans are left with a tasty slice of Norwegian black metal misanthropy. From the outset of this Metal Mind-released DVD, the band employs all the “evil” clichés and obligatory references of the genre. You’ve got the sheep heads impaled on stakes, fire, barbed wire and blood-splattered nude models upon crosses - not to mention the ever mysterious Gaahl. The man/demon lumbers around the stage in the mildest of manners, yet exudes a malevolence to rival Satan himself. Theatrics aside, the production quality on display is first rate, perfectly capturing the sound/mood of the band’s formidable catalogue. In addition to the Krakow footage, DVD bonuses include the band’s performance at the 2000 With Full Force Festival, biography, discography and a photo gallery.
