GORGOROTH - Antichrist LP (BLACK/ WHITE)

Over 25 years have passed since the release of Gorgoroths iconic Antichrist, and, despite a legion of Black Metal bands feverishly mining early Norwegian Black Metal for inspiration during that time, it remains as utterly unique in both sound and aura today as in 1996. A sometimes overlooked masterpiece of the era, its impressively unholy and organic ambience lies undiminished, the raw sound and uncompromising aural attacks never obscuring the carefully considered and epic songwriting throughout.

By turns melancholic, thrilling, haunting and even catchy, the record broadened the Bergen outfits horizons considerably after their blistering and single-minded debut album. Introducing greater dynamics through varying tempos and moods – as well as the use of not one, but two legendary vocalists, Hat and Pest – the album manages to flow seamlessly, every number proving itself to be indispensible.

From the mournful guitars, expressive bass and solemn clean vocals of the self-titled Gorgoroth and thrashy, self-assured swagger of Possessed (By Satan) to the blistering near-instrumental Heavens Fall and the slow and lurching Sorg – with its chanted vocals and emotive guitar passages – this is an opus that invites frequent replays.

To say they dont make records like this anymore is perhaps an obvious cliché – nevertheless, despite the abundance of Black Metal releases and the rude health of the genre today, its hard to think of any release that is genuinely comparable to this obscure-sounding gem.

Line up:
Hat – Vocals (tracks 2, 3, 6)
Pest – Vocals (tracks 1, 4, 5)
Infernus – Guitars, bass
Frost – Drums, percussion

An absolute essential Black Metal album now available again on killer limited edition half'n half BLACK/ WHITE vinyl - SOULSELLER RECORDS 2025