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{{Short description|Norwegian black metal musician}}
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{{About|the musician|other uses|Infernus (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
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{{Short description|Norwegian musician}}
⚫
{{About|the musician|other uses|Infernus (disambiguation)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=March 2018}}
{{Tone|date=March 2018}}
}}

{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Infernus
| name = Infernus
| image = Gorgoroth HITS09 by Christian-Misje-2574.jpg
| image = Gorgoroth HITS09 by Christian-Misje-2574.jpg
| caption = Infernus in 2009
| caption = Infernus in 2009
| birth_name = Roger Tiegs
| birth_name = Roger Tiegs
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|6|18|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|6|18|df=y}}
| origin = [[Umeå]], Sweden
| birth_place = [[Umeå]], Sweden
| instrument = Guitar, bass, drums, vocals
| origin = [[Sunnfjord]], Norway
| genre = [[Black metal]]
| instrument = {{hlist|Guitar|bass|drums|vocals}}
| occupation = Musician
| genre = [[Black metal]]
| years_active = 1993-present
| occupation = Musician
| years_active = 1993–present
| label = Embassy Productions, Malicious, [[Century Media Records|Century Media]], [[Nuclear Blast]], [[Season of Mist]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.season-of-mist.com/light/index.php?action=bands&groupe=Gorgoroth|title=Gorgoroth at Season of Mist|access-date=29 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430072504/http://www.season-of-mist.com/light/index.php?action=bands&groupe=Gorgoroth|archive-date=30 April 2008}}</ref> [[Forces of Satan Records|Forces of Satan]],<ref name="satan">{{cite web|url=http://www.forcesofsatan.com/releases.html|title=Forces of Satan Records|access-date=29 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619004140/http://www.forcesofsatan.com/releases.html|archive-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> [[Regain Records|Regain]]
| label = Embassy Productions, Malicious, [[Century Media Records|Century Media]], [[Nuclear Blast]], [[Season of Mist]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.season-of-mist.com/light/index.php?action=bands&groupe=Gorgoroth|title=Gorgoroth at Season of Mist|access-date=29 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430072504/http://www.season-of-mist.com/light/index.php?action=bands&groupe=Gorgoroth|archive-date=30 April 2008}}</ref> [[Forces of Satan Records|Forces of Satan]],<ref name="satan">{{cite web|url=http://www.forcesofsatan.com/releases.html|title=Forces of Satan Records|access-date=29 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619004140/http://www.forcesofsatan.com/releases.html|archive-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> [[Regain Records|Regain]]
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| associated_acts = [[Gorgoroth]], [[Borknagar]], [[Orcustus]], Desekrator, Norwegian Evil
| current_member_of = [[Gorgoroth]]
⚫
| website =
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Borknagar]]|[[Orcustus]]|Desekrator|Norwegian Evil}}
⚫
| associated_acts = [[Gorgoroth]], [[Borknagar]], [[Orcustus]], Desekrator, Norwegian Evil
⚫
| website =
}}
}}


'''Roger Tiegs''' (born 18 June 1972), better known by his stage name '''Infernus''', is a Norwegian [[black metal]] musician and [[Theistic Satanism|Satanist]].<ref name="bio">{{cite web
'''Roger Tiegs''' (born 18 June 1972 in [[Umeå]]), better known by his stage name '''Infernus''', is a Norwegian [[black metal]] musician and [[Theistic Satanism|Satanist]].<ref name="bio">{{cite web
|url=http://www.gorgoroth.org/band/band.html
|url=http://www.gorgoroth.org/band/band.html
|title=Bio/Manifesto
|title=Bio/Manifesto
Line 33: Line 31:
|archive-date=21 October 2007
|archive-date=21 October 2007
|url-status=dead
|url-status=dead
}}</ref><ref name = "pact">{{cite web|url=http://www.gorgoroth.info/biography/|title=Gorgoroth.info - Biography|website=www.gorgoroth.info|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> He is the sole founding member and chief ideologist of the black metal band [[Gorgoroth]], which was formed in 1992, as well as the founder and head of [[Forces of Satan Records]]. He is mainly a guitarist but has also participated as bassist, drummer and vocalist on several recordings released both by Gorgoroth and other bands.
}}</ref><ref name = "pact">{{cite web|url=http://www.gorgoroth.info/biography/|title=Gorgoroth.info - Biography|website=www.gorgoroth.info|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=2 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202015739/http://www.gorgoroth.info/biography/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is the sole founding member and chief ideologist of the black metal band [[Gorgoroth]], formed in 1992, in addition to being the founder and head of [[Forces of Satan Records]]. While mainly a guitarist, Infernus has also participated as bassist, drummer and vocalist on several recordings released both by Gorgoroth and other bands.


==Biography==
==Biography==
===The formation of Gorgoroth===
===The formation of Gorgoroth ===
Infernus founded the [[black metal]] band [[Gorgoroth]] in [[Sunnfjord]] in 1992 after making '[[Deal with the Devil|a pact with the Devil]]'.<ref name = "pact" /> The first [[Gorgoroth]] demo, ''[[A Sorcery Written in Blood]]'', was released in 1993, and this demo landed the band a record deal with French label Embassy Productions. The first full-length Gorgoroth album, ''[[Pentagram (Gorgoroth album)|Pentagram]]'', was released in 1994. In the following years, the band experienced several line-up changes, with Infernus being the only original member to continue in the band. Joining members of black metal bands such as [[Ulver]], [[Immortal (band)|Immortal]], [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]] and Molested, he also participated as bassist on [[Borknagar]]'s [[Borknagar (album)|self-titled debut album]], which was released in 1996. After signing a deal with German label [[Malicious Records]], Gorgoroth released the albums ''[[Antichrist (Gorgoroth album)|Antichrist]]'' in 1996 and ''[[Under the Sign of Hell]]'' in 1997, with Infernus responsible for all the music and also the majority of the lyrics, as well as doing both guitar and bass duties on the albums. These three first albums were the first steps towards fame in Norway, and the following albums resulted in Gorgoroth earning their reputation as one of the leading black metal bands in the world.
Infernus founded the black metal band [[Gorgoroth]] in [[Sunnfjord]] in 1992 after allegedly making "[[Deal with the Devil|a pact with the Devil]]".<ref name = "pact" /> The first [[Gorgoroth]] demo, ''[[A Sorcery Written in Blood]]'', was released in 1993, and led the band to acquiring a record deal with French label Embassy Productions. The first full-length Gorgoroth album, ''[[Pentagram (Gorgoroth album)|Pentagram]]'', was released in 1994. In the following years, the band experienced several line-up changes, with Infernus being the sole original member to continue in the band. Joining members of black metal bands such as [[Ulver]], [[Immortal (band)|Immortal]], [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]], and Molested, Infernus participated as bassist on [[Borknagar]]'s [[Borknagar (album)|self-titled debut album]], released in 1996. After signing a deal with German label Malicious Records, Gorgoroth released the albums ''[[Antichrist (Gorgoroth album)|Antichrist]]'' in 1996 and ''Under the Sign of Hell'' in1997, with Infernus writing all the music and the majority of the lyrics, in addition to performing both guitar and bass duties on the albums.


===Gorgoroth tenure with Nuclear Blast===
===Gorgoroth tenure with Nuclear Blast===
After the release of ''[[Under the Sign of Hell]]'' and a [[Europe]]an headlining tour in 1997, [[Gorgoroth]] was signed by the major [[Germany|German]] metal label [[Nuclear Blast]]. Infernus wrote the majority of the first two Gorgoroth albums released on [[Nuclear Blast]], ''[[Destroyer (Gorgoroth album)|Destroyer]]'' (1998) and ''[[Incipit Satan]]'' (2000). Guitarist [[Tormentor (musician)|Tormentor]], who had joined the band in 1996, wrote the title tracks for these two albums, and Infernus and Tormentor also released an album and three limited editions of 7" vinyl in 1998 as a black metal [[side project]] called Desekrator, which included members of [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]] and [[Old Funeral]]. After performing live with Gorgoroth on several festivals and tours both in [[Europe]] and [[South America]], Infernus became one of the founding members of the black metal band [[Orcustus]] in 2002, a band consisting of members and ex-members of Gorgoroth, [[Gehenna (band)|Gehenna]] and [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]]. ''[[Twilight of the Idols (Gorgoroth album)|Twilight of the Idols - In Conspiracy with Satan]]'', which was Gorgoroth's third release on [[Nuclear Blast]], came out in 2003.
After the release of ''Under the Sign of Hell'' and a European headlining tour in 1997, Gorgoroth was signed by the major German metal label [[Nuclear Blast]]. In 1998, Infernus and Gorgoroth-guitarist [[Tormentor (musician)|Tormentor]], who had joined the band in 1996, released an album as black metal side project called Desekrator, which also included members of [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]] and [[Old Funeral]]. Infernus wrote the majority of the first two Gorgoroth albums released on Nuclear Blast, ''[[Destroyer (Gorgoroth album)|Destroyer]]'' (1998), and ''[[Incipit Satan]]'' (2000), while Tormentor, wrote the albums' title tracks. After performing live with Gorgoroth on several festivals and tours both in Europe and South America, Infernus became one of the founding members of the black metal band [[Orcustus]] in 2002, a band consisting of members and ex-members of Gorgoroth, [[Gehenna (band)|Gehenna]], and Enslaved. ''[[Twilight of the Idols (Gorgoroth album)|Twilight of the Idols - In Conspiracy with Satan]]'', Gorgoroth's third release on Nuclear Blast, was released in 2003.


===Allegations of rape===
===Rape conviction===
In 2003, Infernus was accused of raping a woman at an after-party. In the following trial, he was acquitted of rape, but was convicted of [[Gross negligence|gross negligent]] rape and served 4 months in prison in winter 2006/2007.<ref>[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=69254 BLABBERMOUTH.NET - GORGOROTH Guitarist Released From Norwegian Prison<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202105128/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=69254 |date=2 December 2008 }}</ref>
In 2003, Infernus was accused of repeatedly raping a woman for hours with a friend at an after-party in his apartment.<ref name=":0"/> He was initially sentenced to three years in prison in 2005, but appealed the sentence and was acquitted of rape but convicted of [[Gross negligence|gross negligent]] rape and sentenced to one year in prison.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2006-01-04 |title=Woman Claims GORGOROTH Guitarist And His Friend Repeatedly Raped Her |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/woman-claims-gorgoroth-guitarist-and-his-friend-repeatedly-raped-her/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-10-23 |title=Satanrockgitarist ser svart |url=https://www.bt.no/i/Br0Bl |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=www.bt.no |language=nb}}</ref> He served four months in prison in the winter of 2006 and 2007 before being released on parole.<ref name=":1">[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=69254 BLABBERMOUTH.NET - GORGOROTH Guitarist Released From Norwegian Prison<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202105128/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=69254 |date=2 December 2008 }}</ref>


===Gorgoroth controversy in Kraków and transfer to Regain Records===
===Gorgoroth controversy in Kraków and transfer to Regain Records===
On 1 February 2004 Infernus and [[Gorgoroth]] performed a controversial live gig in [[Kraków]], [[Poland]], which was meant to be released on DVD by [[Metal Mind Productions]]. Due to the satanic nature of the live show, the band and DVD producers were accused of breaking the Polish blasphemy laws. The tapes from the concert were confiscated by the Polish police for 4 years, but the concert was finally released on DVD in summer 2008, as ''[[Black Mass Krakow 2004]]''.<ref>[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=92930 BLABBERMOUTH.NET - GORGOROTH: Controversial Krakow Concert To Be Released On DVD<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421225956/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=92930 |date=21 April 2008 }}</ref> In 2005, Infernus and [[Tormentor (musician)|Tormentor]] (who had quit [[Gorgoroth]] in 2002) released a cover version of [[Von (band)|Von]]'s "Satanic Blood", under the name Norwegian Evil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holycaust.com/von.htm|title=von.htm|website=www.holycaust.com|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> After leaving [[Nuclear Blast]] in 2004, Infernus and Gorgoroth signed on [[Sweden|Swedish]] record label [[Regain Records]], which released the next Gorgoroth album, ''[[Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam]]'', in 2006.
On 1 February 2004, Infernus and Gorgoroth performed a live show in [[Kraków]], meant to be released on a video album by [[Metal Mind Productions]]. Due to the satanic nature of the live show, which featured sheep heads on stakes, "crucified" nude models, satanic symbols and eighty litres of sheep's blood, the band and video producers were accused of breaking the Polish blasphemy laws. The tapes from the concert were confiscated by the Polish police for 4 years, but the concert was finally released on DVD in the summer of 2008 as ''[[Black Mass Krakow 2004]]''.<ref>[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=92930 BLABBERMOUTH.NET - GORGOROTH: Controversial Krakow Concert To Be Released On DVD<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421225956/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=92930 |date=21 April 2008 }}</ref> In 2005, Infernus and Tormentor, who had quit Gorgoroth in 2002, released a cover version of [[Von (band)|Von]]'s "Satanic Blood" under the name Norwegian Evil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holycaust.com/von.htm|title=von.htm|website=www.holycaust.com|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223140645/http://www.holycaust.com/von.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> After leaving [[Nuclear Blast]] in 2004, Infernus and Gorgoroth signed on Swedish record label [[Regain Records]], which released the next Gorgoroth album, ''[[Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam]]'', in 2006.


===Forces of Satan Records===
===Forces of Satan Records===
On 6 June 2006 Infernus started his own record label, [[Forces of Satan Records]], dedicated to only releasing albums by bands with a "clear-cut Satanic profile".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rateyourmusic.com/label/forces_of_satan_records|title=Label: Forces of Satan Records - Rate Your Music|website=rateyourmusic.com|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=70162|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202104902/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=70162|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2008|title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET - GORGOROTH Guitarist Launches FORCES OF SATAN RECORDS|date=2 December 2008|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> The label's first release was the [[Gorgoroth]] live EP ''[[Bergen 1996]]'', followed by albums by the Italian [[black metal]] band [[Black Flame (band)|Black Flame]], the Brazilian [[death metal]] band [[Ophiolatry (band)|Ophiolatry]], and the Serbian black metal band Triumfall.
On 6 June 2006 Infernus started his own record label, [[Forces of Satan Records]], dedicated to only releasing albums by bands with a "clear-cut Satanic profile".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rateyourmusic.com/label/forces_of_satan_records|title=Label: Forces of Satan Records - Rate Your Music|website=rateyourmusic.com|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=70162|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202104902/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=70162|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2008|title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET - GORGOROTH Guitarist Launches FORCES OF SATAN RECORDS|date=2 December 2008|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> The label's first release was the [[Gorgoroth]] live EP ''[[Bergen 1996]]'', followed by albums by the Italian black metal band [[Black Flame (band)|Black Flame]], the Brazilian [[death metal]] band [[Ophiolatry (band)|Ophiolatry]], and the Serbian black metal band Triumfall.

===Gorgoroth name dispute ===
In October 2007, singer [[Gaahl]] and bassist [[King ov Hell|King]] attempted to fire Infernus from Gorgoroth, marking the start of the [[Gorgoroth name dispute]]. In March 2009, Infernus announced that he had won the rights to the Gorgoroth name following a trial with Gaahl and King.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2009-03-10 |title=INFERNUS Claims Victory In GORGOROTH Name Dispute |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/infernus-claims-victory-in-gorgoroth-name-dispute/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> The court stated that King and Gaahl had excluded themselves from the band when they had attempted to fire the guitarist.<ref name=":2" /> The court further stated that Infernus cannot be excluded from Gorgoroth unless he himself should decide to quit.<ref name=":2" /> With the departure of Gaahl and King, Infernus recruited drummer [[Tomas Asklund]] of [[Dissection (band)|Dissection]] and bassist [[Frank Watkins (musician)|Bøddel]] of [[Obituary (band)|Obituary]], as well as former-Gorgoroth vocalist [[Pest (musician)|Pest]] and guitarist Tormentor for the recording of their next album.


===Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt===
=== ''Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt'' and ''Instinctus Bestialis'' ===
Gorgoroth released the album ''[[Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt]]'' in 2009. Infernus thanked both current and former members of the band, as well as several members of the black metal scene and community in the album's liner notes. In 2015, Gorgoroth released their ninth studio album, ''[[Instinctus Bestialis]]''.
With the departure of Gaahl and King ov Hell from [[Gorgoroth]], Infernus recruited drummer [[Tomas Asklund]] ([[Dissection (band)|Dissection]]) and bassist [[Frank Watkins (musician)|Bøddel]] ([[Obituary (band)|Obituary]]) as well as guitarist [[Tormentor (musician)|Tormentor]] and vocalist [[Pest (musician)|Pest]] into the band, and recorded and released the album ''[[Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt]]'' in 2009.


=== Assault and hospitalization ===
In March that year, Infernus announced that he had won the rights to the Gorgoroth band name in a dispute with Gaahl and King. According to Tiegs, City District Court delivered a verdict on the main question in the Gorgoroth trademark case, which took place at the end of January 2009. The court decided that King ov Hell's trademark registration No. 243365 of the band name Gorgoroth was not valid and was therefore to be deleted. The court stated that King ov Hell and Gaahl excluded themselves from the band Gorgoroth when they tried to fire Infernus in October 2007. The court further stated that Infernus cannot be excluded from Gorgoroth, unless he himself should decide to quit.
In early August 2023, Infernus was assaulted and hospitalized following Gorgoroth's appearance at the Beyond the Gates Festival in Bergen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiVita |first=Joe|date=2023-08-14 |title=Gorgoroth Guitarist Hospitalized Following 'Attack,' Statement Released |url=https://loudwire.com/gorgoroth-infernus-hospitalized-attack-beyond-the-gates-festival-statement/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref> The injuries led to an absence from the band's following shows and the cancellation of a planned tour of Mexico in October.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |date=2023-08-14 |title=GORGOROTH Guitarist INFERNUS Hospitalized After Being Attacked At Recent Festival |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/gorgoroth-guitarist-infernus-hospitalized-after-being-attacked-at-recent-festival |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref> Infernus returned to live performances in late November.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiVita |first=Joe |date=2023-08-14 |title=Gorgoroth Guitarist Hospitalized Following 'Attack,' Statement Released |url=https://loudwire.com/gorgoroth-infernus-hospitalized-attack-beyond-the-gates-festival-statement/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>


==Beliefs==
==Beliefs==
Infernus is a [[Theistic Satanism|theistic Satanist]] and as the founding member of Gorgoroth, has built the band on his philosophy and religion, proclaiming himself as 'Satan's Minister on Earth'.<ref name = "bio" /> When asked in March 2009 about what he specifically practised, he described it as a [[Gnosticism|Gnostic]] form of Satanism.<ref name="sheol2">{{cite web|url=http://www.sheol-magazine.com/interviews/int_Gorgoroth2009_en.htm|title=Gorgoroth Interview 2009|website=www.sheol-magazine.com|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> In an interview conducted in March 2009 following the conclusion of the [[Gorgoroth name dispute]] with former colleagues [[Gaahl]] and [[King ov Hell|King of Hell]], he explicitly reaffirmed that he was 'the ideological backbone of Gorgoroth'.<ref name="ideology2009">Infernus (Gorgoroth): Nu-mi pasa de Gaahl - METALHEAD.ro (2009)</ref> He has expressed opposition to the [[Church of Satan]] based on commercial frivolity, and when asked about this on a couple of occasions in 2009 he also said that he disagreed with their basic values:<ref name="ideology2009" /><ref>{{cite web
Infernus is a [[Theistic Satanism|theistic Satanist]] and, as the founding member of Gorgoroth, has built the band on his philosophy and religion, proclaiming himself as 'Satan's Minister on Earth.'<ref name = "bio" /> When asked in March 2009 about what he specifically practiced, he described it as a [[Gnosticism|Gnostic]] form of Satanism.<ref name="sheol2">{{cite web|url=http://www.sheol-magazine.com/interviews/int_Gorgoroth2009_en.htm|title=Gorgoroth Interview 2009|website=www.sheol-magazine.com|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> In an interview conducted in March 2009 following the conclusion of the [[Gorgoroth name dispute]] with former colleagues [[Gaahl]] and [[King ov Hell|King of Hell]], he explicitly reaffirmed that he was 'the ideological backbone of Gorgoroth.'<ref name="ideology2009">Infernus (Gorgoroth): Nu-mi pasa de Gaahl - METALHEAD.ro (2009)</ref> He has expressed opposition to the [[Church of Satan]] based on commercial frivolity, and when asked about this on a couple of occasions in 2009, he also said that he disagreed with their basic values:<ref name="ideology2009" /><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://gorgoroth.org/extras/interviews/newsweek.html
|url=http://gorgoroth.org/extras/interviews/newsweek.html
|title=Interview with Newsweek Poland, 2006
|title=Interview with Newsweek Poland, 2006
Line 66: Line 68:
|archive-date=12 October 2007
|archive-date=12 October 2007
|url-status=dead
|url-status=dead
}}</ref><blockquote>'Basically, because they reject a theist view upon being. I do not regard man as the center of the universe. These are my views and they are not the views of any humanist or so-called atheist.'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocknballs.com/?choix=interviews&old=interviews&id_interview=33&PHPSESSID=7de87b14418f567ea9ba1475b54b43a7#english|title=ROCK 'N BALLS --- Webzine Metal-Rock|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715195026/http://www.rocknballs.com/?choix=interviews&old=interviews&id_interview=33&PHPSESSID=7de87b14418f567ea9ba1475b54b43a7#english|archive-date=15 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref></blockquote>
}}</ref><blockquote>'Basically, because they reject a [[theist]] view upon being. I do not regard man as the center of the universe. These are my views and they are not the views of any [[humanist]] or so-called [[atheist]].'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocknballs.com/?choix=interviews&old=interviews&id_interview=33&PHPSESSID=7de87b14418f567ea9ba1475b54b43a7#english|title=ROCK 'N BALLS --- Webzine Metal-Rock|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715195026/http://www.rocknballs.com/?choix=interviews&old=interviews&id_interview=33&PHPSESSID=7de87b14418f567ea9ba1475b54b43a7#english|archive-date=15 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref></blockquote>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 157: Line 159:
[[Category:Gorgoroth members]]
[[Category:Gorgoroth members]]
[[Category:Norwegian heavy metal guitarists]]
[[Category:Norwegian heavy metal guitarists]]
[[Category:Norwegian multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:20th-century Norwegian multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:Black metal guitarists]]
[[Category:Black metal guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century Norwegian bass guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century Norwegian bass guitarists]]
[[Category:People convicted of sexual assault]]
[[Category:21st-century Norwegian multi-instrumentalists]]

Latest revision as of 19:25, 23 October 2024

This article is about the musician. For other uses, see Infernus (disambiguation).

Infernus
Infernus in 2009
Infernus in 2009
Background information
Birth nameRoger Tiegs
Born (1972-06-18) 18 June 1972 (age 52)
Umeå, Sweden
OriginSunnfjord, Norway
GenresBlack metal
OccupationMusician
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • bass
  • drums
  • vocals
Years active1993–present
LabelsEmbassy Productions, Malicious, Century Media, Nuclear Blast, Season of Mist,[1] Forces of Satan,[2] Regain
Member ofGorgoroth
Formerly of

Roger Tiegs (born 18 June 1972 in Umeå), better known by his stage name Infernus, is a Norwegian black metal musician and Satanist.[3][4] He is the sole founding member and chief ideologist of the black metal band Gorgoroth, formed in 1992, in addition to being the founder and head of Forces of Satan Records. While mainly a guitarist, Infernus has also participated as bassist, drummer and vocalist on several recordings released both by Gorgoroth and other bands.

Biography

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The formation of Gorgoroth

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Infernus founded the black metal band Gorgoroth in Sunnfjord in 1992 after allegedly making "a pact with the Devil".[4] The first Gorgoroth demo, A Sorcery Written in Blood, was released in 1993, and led the band to acquiring a record deal with French label Embassy Productions. The first full-length Gorgoroth album, Pentagram, was released in 1994. In the following years, the band experienced several line-up changes, with Infernus being the sole original member to continue in the band. Joining members of black metal bands such as Ulver, Immortal, Enslaved, and Molested, Infernus participated as bassist on Borknagar's self-titled debut album, released in 1996. After signing a deal with German label Malicious Records, Gorgoroth released the albums Antichrist in 1996 and Under the Sign of Hell in1997, with Infernus writing all the music and the majority of the lyrics, in addition to performing both guitar and bass duties on the albums.

Gorgoroth tenure with Nuclear Blast

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After the release of Under the Sign of Hell and a European headlining tour in 1997, Gorgoroth was signed by the major German metal label Nuclear Blast. In 1998, Infernus and Gorgoroth-guitarist Tormentor, who had joined the band in 1996, released an album as black metal side project called Desekrator, which also included members of Enslaved and Old Funeral. Infernus wrote the majority of the first two Gorgoroth albums released on Nuclear Blast, Destroyer (1998), and Incipit Satan (2000), while Tormentor, wrote the albums' title tracks. After performing live with Gorgoroth on several festivals and tours both in Europe and South America, Infernus became one of the founding members of the black metal band Orcustus in 2002, a band consisting of members and ex-members of Gorgoroth, Gehenna, and Enslaved. Twilight of the Idols - In Conspiracy with Satan, Gorgoroth's third release on Nuclear Blast, was released in 2003.

Rape conviction

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In 2003, Infernus was accused of repeatedly raping a woman for hours with a friend at an after-party in his apartment.[5] He was initially sentenced to three years in prison in 2005, but appealed the sentence and was acquitted of rape but convicted of gross negligent rape and sentenced to one year in prison.[5][6][7] He served four months in prison in the winter of 2006 and 2007 before being released on parole.[6]

Gorgoroth controversy in Kraków and transfer to Regain Records

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On 1 February 2004, Infernus and Gorgoroth performed a live show in Kraków, meant to be released on a video album by Metal Mind Productions. Due to the satanic nature of the live show, which featured sheep heads on stakes, "crucified" nude models, satanic symbols and eighty litres of sheep's blood, the band and video producers were accused of breaking the Polish blasphemy laws. The tapes from the concert were confiscated by the Polish police for 4 years, but the concert was finally released on DVD in the summer of 2008 as Black Mass Krakow 2004.[8] In 2005, Infernus and Tormentor, who had quit Gorgoroth in 2002, released a cover version of Von's "Satanic Blood" under the name Norwegian Evil.[9] After leaving Nuclear Blast in 2004, Infernus and Gorgoroth signed on Swedish record label Regain Records, which released the next Gorgoroth album, Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam, in 2006.

Forces of Satan Records

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On 6 June 2006 Infernus started his own record label, Forces of Satan Records, dedicated to only releasing albums by bands with a "clear-cut Satanic profile".[10][11] The label's first release was the Gorgoroth live EP Bergen 1996, followed by albums by the Italian black metal band Black Flame, the Brazilian death metal band Ophiolatry, and the Serbian black metal band Triumfall.

Gorgoroth name dispute

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In October 2007, singer Gaahl and bassist King attempted to fire Infernus from Gorgoroth, marking the start of the Gorgoroth name dispute. In March 2009, Infernus announced that he had won the rights to the Gorgoroth name following a trial with Gaahl and King.[12] The court stated that King and Gaahl had excluded themselves from the band when they had attempted to fire the guitarist.[12] The court further stated that Infernus cannot be excluded from Gorgoroth unless he himself should decide to quit.[12] With the departure of Gaahl and King, Infernus recruited drummer Tomas Asklund of Dissection and bassist Bøddel of Obituary, as well as former-Gorgoroth vocalist Pest and guitarist Tormentor for the recording of their next album.

Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt and Instinctus Bestialis

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Gorgoroth released the album Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt in 2009. Infernus thanked both current and former members of the band, as well as several members of the black metal scene and community in the album's liner notes. In 2015, Gorgoroth released their ninth studio album, Instinctus Bestialis.

Assault and hospitalization

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In early August 2023, Infernus was assaulted and hospitalized following Gorgoroth's appearance at the Beyond the Gates Festival in Bergen.[13] The injuries led to an absence from the band's following shows and the cancellation of a planned tour of Mexico in October.[14] Infernus returned to live performances in late November.[15]

Beliefs

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Infernus is a theistic Satanist and, as the founding member of Gorgoroth, has built the band on his philosophy and religion, proclaiming himself as 'Satan's Minister on Earth.'[3] When asked in March 2009 about what he specifically practiced, he described it as a Gnostic form of Satanism.[16] In an interview conducted in March 2009 following the conclusion of the Gorgoroth name dispute with former colleagues Gaahl and King of Hell, he explicitly reaffirmed that he was 'the ideological backbone of Gorgoroth.'[17] He has expressed opposition to the Church of Satan based on commercial frivolity, and when asked about this on a couple of occasions in 2009, he also said that he disagreed with their basic values:[17][18]

'Basically, because they reject a theist view upon being. I do not regard man as the center of the universe. These are my views and they are not the views of any humanist or so-called atheist.'[19]

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  • Infernus in 2010
    Infernus in 2010
  • Infernus in 2009
    Infernus in 2009
  • Infernus in 2001
    Infernus in 2001
  • Infernus in 2000
    Infernus in 2000

Discography

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Year Title Band
1993 A Sorcery Written in Blood Gorgoroth
1994 Promo '94 Gorgoroth
1994 Pentagram Gorgoroth
1996 Antichrist Gorgoroth
1996 The Last Tormentor Gorgoroth
1996 Borknagar Borknagar
1997 Under the Sign of Hell Gorgoroth
1997 Desekrator Demo Desekrator
1998 Metal for Demons Desekrator
1998 Destroyer Gorgoroth
1999 Hot in the City/Overdose/Take Us to the Pub Desekrator
2000 Incipit Satan Gorgoroth
2002 Demo 2002 Orcustus
2003 World Dirtnap Orcustus
2003 Twilight of the Idols Gorgoroth
2005 Wrathrash Orcustus
2005 A Norwegian Hail to Von Norwegian Evil
2006 Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam Gorgoroth
2007 Bergen 1996 Gorgoroth
2008 Black Mass Krakow 2004 Gorgoroth
2008 True Norwegian Black Metal - Live in Grieghallen Gorgoroth
2009 Orcustus Orcustus
2009 Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt Gorgoroth
2011 Under the Sign of Hell 2011 Gorgoroth
2015 Instinctus Bestialis Gorgoroth

References

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  1. ^ "Gorgoroth at Season of Mist". Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
  2. ^ "Forces of Satan Records". Archived from the original on 19 June 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
  3. ^ a b "Bio/Manifesto". Gorgoroth official website. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 22 October 2007. Gorgoroth was founded by Infernus in 1992 as a strategy to perpetrate sonic and spiritual violence upon the world in order to bring forth change in peoples perception of being therein. Thus, through metal music, Satan's minister on earth summoned an avatar of the forces of darkness and did let it manifestate through a variety of attempts on creating what was perceived as ultimate black metal taking form on stage as well as in a variety of studio recordings. [...] With the devoted presence of the new full-time members Gaahl and King, as well as a not a day too early achieved social and mental fundament for future work, a deal was inked with the german label Nuclear Blast and the band to a bigger extent adopted the position as a live performance act taking upon them several tours worldwide bringing its sinister presence and the word of Satan to new territories...
  4. ^ a b "Gorgoroth.info - Biography". www.gorgoroth.info. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  5. ^ a b Blabbermouth (4 January 2006). "Woman Claims GORGOROTH Guitarist And His Friend Repeatedly Raped Her". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b BLABBERMOUTH.NET - GORGOROTH Guitarist Released From Norwegian Prison Archived 2 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Satanrockgitarist ser svart". www.bt.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). 23 October 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  8. ^ BLABBERMOUTH.NET - GORGOROTH: Controversial Krakow Concert To Be Released On DVD Archived 21 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "von.htm". www.holycaust.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Label: Forces of Satan Records - Rate Your Music". rateyourmusic.com. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  11. ^ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET - GORGOROTH Guitarist Launches FORCES OF SATAN RECORDS". 2 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  12. ^ a b c Blabbermouth (10 March 2009). "INFERNUS Claims Victory In GORGOROTH Name Dispute". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  13. ^ DiVita, Joe (14 August 2023). "Gorgoroth Guitarist Hospitalized Following 'Attack,' Statement Released". Loudwire. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  14. ^ Kennelty, Greg (14 August 2023). "GORGOROTH Guitarist INFERNUS Hospitalized After Being Attacked At Recent Festival". Metal Injection. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  15. ^ DiVita, Joe (14 August 2023). "Gorgoroth Guitarist Hospitalized Following 'Attack,' Statement Released". Loudwire. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Gorgoroth Interview 2009". www.sheol-magazine.com. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  17. ^ a b Infernus (Gorgoroth): Nu-mi pasa de Gaahl - METALHEAD.ro (2009)
  18. ^ "Interview with Newsweek Poland, 2006". Gorgoroth official website. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 22 October 2007. No, Church of Satan is not for me. They had their thing in the late 60's and 70's rebelling and making it more or less accepted what they were up to, practising some easy to identify with and to defend kind of Satanism openly, bringing it into popular culture transcending music and film industry. What appears to me is that they have a lot of fun and circus going on, and thats good for them. Nevertheless, as a Christian have, I also have a concept of a God, and to me Satanism is not only about some 3 rd force psychological development approach, nor some more spicy humanist attempt to get to grips with things.
  19. ^ "ROCK 'N BALLS --- Webzine Metal-Rock". Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
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