GORGOROTH: Appeals Court Upholds Decision Over 'Unauthorized' Release Of 'Live In Grieghallen'

The Gaahl-fronted version of the Norwegian black metal band GORGOROTH has issued the following update:

"The Swedish appeal courts (Hovretten in Malmö) have upheld the earlier decision by authorities at Tingretten in the matter concerning Regain Records unauthorized release of [GORGOROTH's] 'True Norwegian Black Metal - Live in Grieghallen'.

"Regain Records has once again been found in violation of copyrights and agreements made with Gaahl and King [bass] and is ordered to cease distribution of this release."

"Live in Grieghallen" was released in June via Regain. According to a press release, the CD was recorded live at Grieghallen in Bergen, Norway by Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin and features Infernus on bass and guitar, Gaahl on vocals, and Garghuf on drums.

"Live in Grieghallen" was mixed and mastered by Nico Elgstrand (ENTOMBED) and features all the GORGOROTH "essential songs" from the band's back catalog performed live.

"Live in Grieghallen" track listing:

01. Bergtrollets Hevn
02. Destroyer
03. The Rite of Infernal Invocation
04. Forces of Satan Storms
05. Possessed (by Satan)
06. Unchain My Heart!!!
07. Profetens Åpenbaring
08. Revelation of Doom

Recording lineup:

Infernus - Guitar, Bass
Gaahl - Vocals
Teloch - Session Guitar
Garghuf - Session Drums

Album info:

All music and lyrics by Infernus, except track 1 (lyrics by Hat),track 2 (music by Tormentor) and track 4 (music by King). Recorded live in studio in 2007/2008. Engineered by Pytten at Grieghallen Studios in Bergen and Nico Elgstrand at Threeman Recordings in Stockholm. All bass re-recorded by Infernus at Threeman Recordings. Mixed by Nico Elgstrand. Mastered at Cutting Room in Stockholm by Infernus and Mats Lindfors. Cover design by Magnus Wolfhart.

On October 21, 2007, GORGOROTH guitarist Infernus posted a message on the band's MySpace page that said, "I am writing to inform you about the fact that there has been taken a decision to split up the band, Infernus on one side, Gaahl and King on the other. We cannot continue working together any longer. What is still not agreed upon is who rightfully gets to keep the band's name. Since this will be a question of legal affairs, I am afraid this might take time to get sorted out. I am sorry for that."

On December 13, Regain announced it would back Infernus, saying it "recognizes Infernus as the rightful owner of the band's name, logo, and trademark, and is prepared to take any legal steps necessary to prevent any third party from exploiting it, artistically and commercially."

"It is a matter of principles for us. Infernus started the band and has been the spine of GORGOROTH since 1992," Per Gyllenbäck, Regain's label manager, told Revolver magazine. "Also, looking on the contractual side of things, we have an agreement signed with GORGOROTH and it is signed solely by Infernus. The other part of GORGOROTH has given Infernus a written 'power of attorney' to negotiate and close deals on their behalf."

Unbeknownst to Infernus or Regain, King had filed paperwork to trademark the name and logo for GORGOROTH in September 2007. On December 19, Gorgoroth.org (now under the control of King and Gaahl) reported that Patentstyret, Norway's patent office, had awarded ownership of the band's name and logo to King and Gaahl.

"The battle is over," Gaahl told Revolver.

"Neither I nor Gaahl is thinking about it at all at this point," King added. "It's over. It's all over. The only thing he has left is to use the name to create some kind of confusion, but for the record label, everything is gone. We own the trademark. They can't use it. Infernus can't use it." Infernus has vowed to challenge the legality of King's trademark. "I have lawyers and label support for [challenging the patent office]," Infernus told Revolver. "Time will tell who is right and who is wrong. That's a promise."