Never dare to challenge a man of his words, even when he is not doing what you want from him. Gorgoroth’s mainman Infernus was challenged and questioned over the past months by some fans, former bandmates, journalists etc. Few people believed in him. He could barely say or do anything against this, since he filled a lawsuit against King ov Hell and Gaahl, and every word he said could be used against him. Although not as active as he may have wanted to be, he now got what he had been looking for: the name Gorgoroth and the freedom to work, compose, play and tour under this moniker without having to wonder or be worried about anything else. Taking up the glove of putting the band he founded once again at the top of their game, he proves that at full steam or held back he stands up for his words and end up doing what he says he will do, no matter the time it takes for him to do it. Agree with him and his attitudes or not, you can’t say Infernus is not a man of his words. You can’t say he isn’t Gorgoroth either. Not anymore.
How did you feel when the court announced the verdict of your lawsuit against King ov Hell and Gaahl? What was your reaction?
“It was very satisfactory indeed. I am very pleased with the outcome of the trial, but not really all that surprised, as this just confirms what I have been stating ever since October 2007 - that it is illegal to go behind someone's back and attempt to register a trademark which has already been established by use. The judge seemed like a very alert and thorough person, who spent quite a few weeks on the verdict, something which resulted in a rather substantial and reflected 21-page piece of work as an answer to the trademark rights question. I'm happy for myself and my band, and I am also happy on behalf of the rest of the scene in general, as this creates precedence so that similar conflicts can be avoided in the future.”
The first verdict of this lawsuit wasn't positive to you. What did you think back then?
“Actually, this is a common misconception which has been circulating in the media since December 2007, as this trial in January 2009 is the first and only trial which has been held in this matter. The counterpart's trademark application (which is now to be deleted) was sent in (without my knowledge) and registered by the Norwegian Industrial Property Office's first department - this is the "court decision" which the counterpart has been talking about since December 2007. There was never a trial until now. When I received news of the trademark being registered in December 2007, I instantly decided to take further legal actions and take the matter before the courts in a trial, as I was confident that the registration was illegal - something which has now been clearly proven.
How were those days you spent without being able to actually work as Gorgoroth?
“This is a second misconception. I have worked under the name Gorgoroth ever since October 2007, gathering a new line-up, finishing the "True Norwegian Black Metal - Live in Grieghallen" album, and finishing the writing of the new Gorgoroth album, "Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt". I have also cleaned up the organization behind the band, as it was evident quite early that there were a few rotten apples which had to be removed, be it roadies, hired musicians, producers or others. These have now more or less all been successfully replaced.”
Why was the final verdict positive to you? What did King ov Hell and Gaahl actually do (or tried to do) with Gorgoroth and with you?
“I won because I was right, and I was right all the way. The verdict went against King and Gaahl because what they did was clearly both illegal and disloyal, and done in bad faith - they tried to trademark a band name and logo which had already existed for years before they were invited to join the band.”
Who were your witnesses in the court? Tell us a bit about each of them and what they added to convince the Oslo City District Court that you were right?
“I had help from a many fold of people, both individuals standing really close to me through all this, ex-members, new members, family and friends, but above all, and most foremost - a certain Doctor Marcato, whose help cannot be underestimated when regarding the progression of the process. Then I did of course, with the help of our label, pick the top of the rank trademark experts who were available, and also consulting another lawyer friend of mine. I would also like to stress the great degree of loyalty I have experienced from different third parts regarding the case, it being representatives from record labels from back in the old days until now, to promotion agents, booking agents, crew members, designers and webmasters, security guys and producers. When that has been mentioned, and to get on to the witnesses specifically, I picked out five outstanding individuals, who all gave it a good shot in court. They all had different angles on the problematic situation and they all helped in their own way. To go into details here would mean having to talk for another hour or so. I just have to declare I am 100% satisfied with them all. The names are Asbjørn Slettemark, chief editor of the Norwegian music industry magazine Faro-journalen; Gro Narvestad, from the Inferno Festival organization and former host of several different metal shows on Norwegian radio channel NRK P3; Tormentor, Gorgoroth member per today, with a background from Gorgoroth in the pre-Gaahl and King era; Torgrim Øyre, aka T. Reaper, ex-Gorgoroth bassplayer, the 6th and last in the line before King entered the band; and, last but not least, Per Gyllenbäck, label manager of Regain Records, Gorgoroth's record label both before October 2007, and after. Thank you guys!”
Who were their witnesses? Are those witnesses people you still talk to? Do you believe that they were ill-affected and lied to the court?
“Their witnesses were Anders Odden (some office worker at an organization called Gramart, who helped King with his trademark application), Henk Mol (from Vain Productions, a Dutch tour agency we had been working together with for about three years or so) and Espen Røhne (from Indie Distribution, Regain Records distribution channel in Norway!).
Do you believe that King and Gaahl were ill-intentioned when they did what they did to you?
“I believe they knew full well what they were doing, but that they grossly underestimated me and how I would react to their actions.”
Would you consider working with King and/or Gaahl again after all this?
“Why the hell should I? They were quite successful in expelling themselves from the band, and they are now where they are: on the outside. I do not have any problems with that.”
What was the importance of King and Gaahl in the history of Gorgoroth?
“I consider them as ex-members who have contributed to the band and its development, same as others than have been involved both before and after them. We sure had our moments together, I will not pretend anything else, but as I said: I now regard them for what they are: Gorgoroth ex-members. Nothing more, nothing less. End of story.”
Are there still issues to be decided between you and your former bandmates?
“On the main question of the verdict, the answer was, as you probably know: they are no longer members of the band and their illegal registration of the trademark is to be deleted. I can not under any circumstances be "kicked out" from my own band, the band I founded and gave its concept and direction etc. I regard it as it is, a total victory. Certain financial formalities are yet to be settled, though, but I am confident they will be settled appropriately.”
What are your plans for Gorgoroth now?
“The plans are to stick to the plans as well as that can be done. I now have a new line-up, a strong five-piece consisting of some great guys I am really happy being able to work together with. And we are still a Regain band. As we have been for the last four years. They positioned themselves in favour of me and my case early in the process, and I have always had good relations with them and most of their co-workers, so taking into consideration that we already signed a deal with them which was good in the beginning: we will continue with that. We are now working in my new drummer/co-producer's studio, Monolith, some half hour north of Stockholm, on the upcoming album, “Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt”. And we are giving it everything we have, as we are destined to make it a classic. That is what I believe, and thus that is what we are aiming for. Nothing less. And, as we always have been a live band, we should get back on the road. I am really eager to do this now, after one and a half years with paperwork and frustrations. But, we will only do it when we get everything according to how we want it. I am really ready to take it to the level it deserves now, giving the public what they have been waiting for. Nothing less!”
How are you feeling with the current line-up of the band? Is this a permanent line-up?
“I have been giving the other four guys status as permanent full-time members. That is the situation as of now. What the future will bring, we will take as it comes. I feel good and really honored to get to work with them, and I am very confident they will bring their qualities into the band in a way which sets a standard to be recognized.”
Do you believe that this whole battle you had to face may affect Gorgoroth or already affected Gorgoroth somehow?
“First of all, I'd like to say that the choice of word there, which I believe derives from a statement from the counterpart some months back in time, is plain ridiculous. What kind of "battle" has been going on, if I may ask? As far as I can recollect, there has been a ton of paperwork to do. Paperwork and even more paperwork. Whether some new school fans are a bit confused or - not to sound too much like an arrogant idiot - even if some fans chose to recognize the "wrong" side as Gorgoroth: so what? Big deal. You lose some and win others. Always been like that. Then again, I am of course grateful in regards to the massive amount of support I have received lately, because, honestly, I did need it. It will take me quite a lot of time to get back to all of those who have supported me and Gorgoroth in this, to express my appreciation. I really think I will never get through it all. For you whom it concerns: I know who you are, and I do not forget!”
In late 2008, it came to public knowledge that Gaahl is gay. Did you know about that when he was in Gorgoroth?
“Whether an ex-member is gay or not is of course not an issue I would see any point in discussing in the media! It is not my business at all.”
As I said in a previous interview with you, I don't know much about the Black Metal agenda, ideals etc. Having a gay member in a Black Metal band isn't against the ideals of the movement?
“Haha! I believe the so-called ideals of the movement you refer to are to a rather large extent being defined by me myself. I really do not care at all what others think are unacceptable. I never considered myself too closely related to Black Metal scene as such anyway. At least not for the time being, nor for the last 14 years or so. I create and live in my own zone, more or less chemically cleansed of sweaty leather jacket-clothed pretenders. Pretenders to the throne of real metal and real Satanism, in theory and practice.”
During this legal “battle”, have you ever felt left aside or have you always been supported by musicians, labels?
“I had lots of support, both in terms of quantity and quality - most importantly, of course, the latter. Most of the old school musicians I have been relating to and contacts I have had in the business, including people from our common organization, wisely picked their side at an early point of time. And they did it clearly and spoke it out loud, in my favor. Perhaps you could say that common sense then gave the guidelines.”
www.gorgoroth.info
www.gorgoroth.org
http://www.myspace.com/160310525
www.regainrecords.com
Composed by Imhotep
