Incipit Satan
Gorgoroth · 2000
36 min · 8 tracks · black metal
Dark, aggressive soundscapes intertwine with blasphemous themes, creating a relentless atmosphere of chaos and confrontation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Incipit Satan — The title track serves as a powerful manifesto for the album's themes, establishing an intense sonic foundation with guttural vocals and relentless drums that encapsulate Gorgoroth's essence.
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A World to Win — This track showcases the band's ability to blend melody with aggression, featuring intricate guitar work that contrasts starkly with its vehement message about asserting one's will.
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Will to Power — With its driving rhythm and philosophical lyrics, this song delves into themes of dominance and existentialism, reflecting the band's intellectual approach to black metal.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's raw sound and aggressive structure define its place in black metal while maintaining a cohesive yet intense listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a slow build-up before launching into aggressive tremolo-picked guitar riffs and blast beats.
- Each song typically maintains a relentless pace, with few moments of respite, creating an overwhelming sonic experience.
- The production is raw and unpolished, emphasizing the chaotic nature of the music and the confrontational themes present in the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing with dark intensity
- ferocious riffs fueling adrenaline
- immersive listen for focused sessions
- cathartic release of aggression
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light, upbeat sounds
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on February 7, 2000, 'Incipit Satan' marked Gorgoroth's fifth studio album and followed the controversial 'Destroyer' from 1998. At this point, the band was solidifying its position in the black metal genre after a tumultuous lineup change, with frontman Gaahl contributing his distinctive vocal style and vision.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mayhem· Darkthrone· Immortal
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Incipit Satan 4:33
- 2 A World to Win 3:43
- 3 Litani til Satan 4:33
- 4 Unchain My Heart!!! 4:47
- 5 An Excerpt of X 5:50
- 6 Ein eim av blod og helvetesild 3:09
- 7 Will to Power 4:28
- 8 When Love Rages Wild in My Heart 5:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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