God Seed
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | March 2009 |
| Headquarters | Bergen , Norway |
Key people | Gaahl, King ov Hell |
| Products | Live at Wacken (2012), I Begin (2012) |
God Seed was a black metal group from Norway, headquartered in Bergen. The band was formed in March 2009 by former Gorgoroth members Gaahl and King ov Hell following the conclusion of the Gorgoroth name dispute. After a series of live performances, vocalist Gaahl departed in July 2009,[1] which led to the band's temporary suspension. King finalized the compositions for their debut album with vocalist Shagrath, releasing it under the project name Ov Hell. Gaahl returned to God Seed in 2012; they issued the live album Live at Wacken in January, followed by their first studio album, I Begin, in October.[2]
History
God Seed emerged from the turmoil surrounding Gorgoroth during the Gorgoroth name dispute, when longtime members Gaahl and King ov Hell sought to remove founder Infernus in October 2007. Both Gaahl and King joined Gorgoroth in 1998 and 1999 respectively and played key roles on albums such as Twilight of the Idols (2003) and Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam (2006). Gaahl also contributed vocals to the title track of Destroyer (1998).
Following a court decision in March 2009 that affirmed Infernus's ownership of Gorgoroth, Gaahl and King adopted the name God Seed, inspired by a track from Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam. The duo announced plans for a debut album under this new moniker, initially slated for late 2009 but later postponed to early 2010,[3] with Indie Recordings as their label.
By October 2008, all instrumental tracks excluding vocals were completed. Although multiple announcements indicated ongoing work on lyrics and vocal arrangements, Gaahl delayed finalizing them.[4] Studio sessions were booked in October to record vocals, which resulted in canceled tour dates.[5] Subsequent interviews revealed that Gaahl deferred lyric writing until after completing a European tour.[6] Early 2009 saw Gaahl take a two-month break in Spain,[7] during which King anticipated progress on lyrics; however, upon Gaahl’s return, the material remained unfinished.[8]
King described difficulties collaborating with Gaahl’s perfectionist tendencies:[9]
We have completed everything except vocals and the final mixing. It can be frustrating because of his attention to detail. If he’s not in the right mindset or cannot find suitable words, work grinds to a halt. Sometimes I’ve waited days without any progress. Nonetheless, I believe the outcome will be distinctive and powerful.
God Seed appeared at several festivals during summer 2009, including Hellfest Summer Open Air[9] and With Full Force[10].
At the With Full Force festival in July 2009, Gaahl declared his exit from God Seed due to waning enthusiasm.[7][11][12] Subsequently, King confirmed Gaahl’s retirement from metal and formed Ov Hell with Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir, repurposing material intended for God Seed’s debut with new lyrics penned by Shagrath.[1]
Gaahl rejoined God Seed in 2012. That January saw the release of Live at Wacken, a live album featuring performances from the Gorgoroth era during the dispute.[13]
On 23 October 2012, God Seed unveiled their first studio album titled I Begin. Their final live show took place on 15 August 2015 at France’s Motocultor Festival.[14]
Band members
- Final roster
- Gaahl – lead 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 (2012–2015)
- Geir Bratland – keyboards, noise elements (2012–2015)
- Touring members
- Teloch – guitar (2008–2009)
- Sir – guitar (2009)
- Garghuf – drums (2009)
- Ice Dale – guitar (2008)
- Nick Barker – drums (2008)
Discography
- Live at Wacken (2012) – live recording from 2008
- I Begin (2012)
External links
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Baz Anderson: God Seed – Gaahl Retires From Metal.
- ↑ GOD SEED To Release Debut Album In October, 22 August 2012, accessed on 15 September 2012.
- ↑ GOD SEED: New Video Interview Available.
- ↑ BLABBERMOUTH.NET – GAAHL-Fronted GORGOROTH Cancels Dates Due To Recording Schedule
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Gaahl / Video interview / Artists / FaceCulture – Online Multimedia Magazine
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedgaahlretire - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedgaahlspain2 - ↑ 9.0 9.1 Metal News – King Ov Hell Discusses New Band God Seed (Metal Underground.com )
- ↑ Blabbermouth.net – GOD SEED Confirmed For Germany's WITH FULL FORCE Festival
- ↑ Götz Kühnemund: Gaahl: "Ich höre auf!". In: Rock Hard, no. 268, August 2009.
- ↑ bjg: GOD SEED schon wieder Geschichte?
- ↑ Diana Glöckner: God Seed. In: Legacy, no. 75, June 2011.
- ↑ "Motocultor Festival 2015".