GORGOROTH Guitarist Denies Raping Woman, Claims Sex Was Consensual

GORGOROTH guitarist Infernus (real name: Roger Tiegs) went before a Norwegian court earlier today (Jan. 3) to appeal the three-year prison sentence he received last year for rape. The incident happened April 27, 2004 when Tiegs and a friend brought a 29-year-old woman they met at a nightclub called Garage in Bergen back to Tiegs' apartment after closing hours. The two men allegedly punched the woman in the face and forced her to have sex with them. Tiegs, 33, and his 32-year-old friend (who received the same sentence) admitted that they had sex with the woman, but claimed it was consensual. The defendants both appealed the verdict.

"She's lying," stated Tiegs as he took the stand today in the Gulating court of appeals.

According to Bergens Tidende, Tiegs' friend (whose identity has not been disclosed) claimed in court that the woman invited them to have sex with her after Tiegs undressed at the steamy afterparty.

"All of a sudden he stood there, completely naked," the co-defendant said. "Not that that in itself was particularly sensational. He has a tendency of getting naked at afterparties. It has happened before."

Tiegs admits to having had sex with the woman, but says he can't remember having intercourse with her. He claims he had a blackout after consuming large amounts of beer, wine and liquor.

"Things gradually become more blurry," Tiegs told the court. "I remember the police sirens and waking up in a cell."

However, he does recall taking off all his clothes to create a "funny and exciting situation."

"I'm an exhibitionist," stated the guitarist.

Prosecutor Gert Kjelby (photo, with defense attorney Jørgen Riple) immediately linked Tiegs' unusual behavior to his music career. He asked Tiegs if he can't live out all his exhibitions in black metal.

"Not enough, it would seem," responded the guitarist.

When Tiegs claimed the woman was lying about the events at his apartment, the prosecutor asked: "How would you know since you say that you blacked out?"

"I've seen her have sex with [my friend] and me," responded Tiegs. "So at least she's partially lying."

However, Tiegs couldn't explain why the woman fled from the apartment wearing only a towel. His friend says the reason is that Tiegs had screamed at her and called her a "stupid whore."

"I can come across as emotionally cold," admitted Tiegs. "It's quite possible that I yelled at her, but I can't remember. I can't rule it out."

The GORGOROTH guitarist also admitted that he can appear as aggressive and threatening, but claims that he's never used violence.

"I may very well have scared her verbally. I remember that I in the past have thrown people out after having had sex with them."

Tomorrow, January 4, the woman takes the stand.

On May 5, 2005, Tiegs and his friend were each ordered to pay 100,000 NOK (approximately $15,000) in court costs and an additional 55,000 NOK (approximately $8,300) in punitive damages.

Check out Norwegian media reports on today's court proceedings:

Bergens Tidende
Bergensavisen
Nettavisen
NRK.no

In an unrelated case, GORGOROTH frontman Gaahl was sentenced to 14 months in prison in February 2005 for beating a 41-year-old man and threatening to drink his blood. The 30-year-old, whose real name has not been revealed by the Norwegian media, was charged with a crime that carries a maximum penalty of nine years in prison. The black metal vocalist was sentenced to one year and two months in jail by the Gulating court of appeals. The original 18-month sentence, which was handed down in May 2004, was reduced by four months while the amount in damages Gaahl is required to pay to the victim was increased from 100,000 NOK (approximately $15,000) to 190,000 NOK (approximately $29,000).