Did Infernus (Gorgoroth) Fake His Own Assault to Gather Sympathy?

Last year, black metal "legend" and Gorgoroth frontman Roger "Infernus" Tiegs was assaulted by what he claims to be a "fat little insignificant ***"... was the assault real or faked?

I recommend you read this post first, as it contains every details (tweet / FB post / press release) about the incident.

The blog post discusses an attack on Gorgoroth’s frontman, Roger “Infernus” Tiegs, by antifa affiliated groups. The attack was severe, resulting in extensive surgery and nearly two months of hospitalization for Infernus. This incident also led to the cancellation of Gorgoroth’s tours and other events due to the time needed for his recovery.

The author also points out that websites like Metal-Archives and others linked to antifa have accused Gorgoroth and similar bands of being “NSBM” (National Socialist Black Metal) or “Nazi.” These sites have defended the attack, saying it’s okay to assault Nazis.

I wrote a full post about stuff like that last month.

The coordinated assaults against metal fans in general have increased over the past few years, often cheered on by the media who falsely claims that “heavy metal is ground training for white supremacy” - this quote comes directly from the Israeli linked “Operation Choke Point” whitepapers, a spin-off from the “Project Canary” which seek to deplatform/demonetize/censor/harass various bands and musicians who are deemed either “too European” or “pro-Hamas” (whatever that means).

Notable bands that have been targeted include:

• Marduk (SWE)

• Mayhem (NOR)

• Burzum (NOR)

• Graveland (POL)

• Peste Noire (FRA)

• Neraines (FIN)

• Enslaved (NOR)

• Dimmu Borgir (NOR) - some of their concerts were cancelled due to bomb threats by antifa/JDL affiliated groups

• Horna (FIN)

• Nargaroth (GER)

• Behemoth (POL)

• Goatmoon (FIN)

• Satyricon (NOR) - there was even an entire thread on Metal-Archives celebrating the frontman Sigurd “Satyr” Wongraven getting brain cancer as “payback for the Holocaust [sic]” because he denounced the Palestinian Genocide in several interviews

• Warkvlt (IDN)

And now Gorgoroth…?

While it’s true that antifa/JDL groups “have a long history” (indeed) of committing violence against either heavy metal bands or their fans, which has led to an increase in security in some high profile areas (Hellfest, Wacken Open Air), the man known as “Infernus” is also known to make up false claims about himself and his band members in order to increase his popularity or propagate unfounded rumours against his personal “enemies” in the Black Metal scene.

For instance, in 2005 he accused his vocalist “Gaahl” - with whom he was feuding - of being a “secret Christian” and “raping an imigrant [sic] woman”. It was later revealed that it was he (Infernus) who had been accused of rape, and in 2007 he was “convicted of gross negligent rape and sentenced to one year in prison” according to Norwegian courts.

More examples of Infernus’ lies:

• Infernus Lies About Gaahl and King ov Hell (Black Metal News)

• Infernus Lies About His Ties With Mayhem, Claims Vocalist is a Police Informant (Black Metal News)

• Infernus Lies About His “Friendship” With Varg Vikernes (Metalious.com)

• Gorgoroth Frontman Alienates Again the Entire Black Metal Scene (Metal Zone)

Some of the quotes are beyond dispute.

But why did Saul come to me, other than my brief history in Mayhem and Morbid Death? The reason is that she naively figured I would be good for some useful quotes, having written extensively on Gorgoroth and the InferAnus character in a number of articles here, here, and here (read them, they’re fun). She was looking for quotes that would allow her to build Gorgoroth up into the centerpiece of her article and the face of Black Metal. It is not and never could be.

Naturally I sensed this and took a conscious decision to frustrate her intentions by playing down both InferAnus and his Gaygoroth, telling her it was just a childish parody band (certainly its modus operandi) and that none of what its band members wrote should be taken at face value. I then recommended that she pay more attention to bands like Burzum and Darkthrone, a much more genuine and effective form of Black Metal, and certainly more serious and better informed than the dreary formulaic “Heil Satan” boilerplate churned out repetitively and monomaniacally by the flamboyant yet boring Mr. Tiegs.

- Letters from a Former Mayhem Vocalist Refuting Infernus’ Claims (circa 2018)

Whatever you think of Gorgoroth…