As many maybe already know, God Seed is the band of Gaahl and King ov Hell, born from the split of Gorgoroth. I begin, released in 2012, is their first full-length and has a programmatic title that alludes to a beginning, in this case we can say the beginning of a new project. This is actually not their first release, since they have already released a live album, Live at Wacken, and a single; the live contains the recording of the concert of Gorgoroth, at that time led precisely by Gaahl and King ov Hell, at Wacken 2008. The band on that occasion played lots of songs from their previous album Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam; one might therefore consider Ad Majorem as the real first album by God Seed, especially as the current Gorgoroth, led by Infernus, do not recognize that album, entirely composed by Gaahl and King ov Hell.
Although the compositive vein of King ov Hell has always been very different from that of Infernus, and this is evident in Ad Majorem, I Begin is a completely different album. Here King ov Hell gives vent to his experimental inspiration, as indeed he was already doing with his side project Ov Hell, along with Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir.
It can be said that In I Begin black metal meets prog, thanks to the keyboards that are reminiscent of the keyboards of the 70s prog bands, like Deep Purple . Needless to say that the production is impeccable.
The beginning of the first song “Awake” could make believe that I Begin is similar to Ad Majorem, but then the chorus makes it clear that it is something different. The third song “Allt liv” is the first song on the album that is more explicitly experimental. “Aldrande tre” is without scream and there is chorus at the refrain. “The Wound” is slow and powerful like “Sign of an Open Eye” from Ad Majorem.
There is no need to believe that I Begin is full of choruses, strange instruments or other similar stuff; it is an album that combines brutality and experimentation and can be very brutal sometimes. Excellent performance by Gaahl. This album will appeal to those who want to listen to something different, but it is really beautiful.
Although the compositive vein of King ov Hell has always been very different from that of Infernus, and this is evident in Ad Majorem, I Begin is a completely different album. Here King ov Hell gives vent to his experimental inspiration, as indeed he was already doing with his side project Ov Hell, along with Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir.
It can be said that In I Begin black metal meets prog, thanks to the keyboards that are reminiscent of the keyboards of the 70s prog bands, like Deep Purple . Needless to say that the production is impeccable.
The beginning of the first song “Awake” could make believe that I Begin is similar to Ad Majorem, but then the chorus makes it clear that it is something different. The third song “Allt liv” is the first song on the album that is more explicitly experimental. “Aldrande tre” is without scream and there is chorus at the refrain. “The Wound” is slow and powerful like “Sign of an Open Eye” from Ad Majorem.
There is no need to believe that I Begin is full of choruses, strange instruments or other similar stuff; it is an album that combines brutality and experimentation and can be very brutal sometimes. Excellent performance by Gaahl. This album will appeal to those who want to listen to something different, but it is really beautiful.
Notes:
I begin was released on October 23, 2012 through Indie Records
Tracklist:
1. “Awake” 04:43
2. “This from the Past” 05:18
3. “Alt liv” 04:08
4. “From the Running of Blood” 05:19
5. “Hinstu dagar” 04:55
6. “Aldrande tre” 04:45
7. “Lit” 05:17
8. “The Wound” 04:45
9. “Bloodline” 03:44
Personnel:
King ov Hell - bass, music (tracks 1-6, 8-9 & 11)
Geir Bratland - keyboards, music (track 10)
Lust Kilman - guitars, music (track 7)
Sir - guitars
Kenneth Kapstad - drums
Gaahl - vocals, lyrics
I begin was released on October 23, 2012 through Indie Records
Tracklist:
1. “Awake” 04:43
2. “This from the Past” 05:18
3. “Alt liv” 04:08
4. “From the Running of Blood” 05:19
5. “Hinstu dagar” 04:55
6. “Aldrande tre” 04:45
7. “Lit” 05:17
8. “The Wound” 04:45
9. “Bloodline” 03:44
Personnel:
King ov Hell - bass, music (tracks 1-6, 8-9 & 11)
Geir Bratland - keyboards, music (track 10)
Lust Kilman - guitars, music (track 7)
Sir - guitars
Kenneth Kapstad - drums
Gaahl - vocals, lyrics
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblacketal.com
herjann@unholyblacketal.com