Gaahl: Difference between revisions

{{short description|Norwegian musician and painter}}

| associated_acts current_member_of = [[Gaahlskagg]], [[God Seed]], [[Gorgoroth]], [[Trelldom]], Sigfader, [[Wardruna]], [[Gaahls Wyrd]]

'''Kristian Eivind Espedal''' (born 7 August 1975), better known by his stage name '''Gaahl''', is a Norwegian vocalist and painter. He is best known as the former frontman of Norwegian [[black metal]] band [[Gorgoroth]]. He is also the founder and lead vocalist of [[Trelldom]] and [[Gaahlskagg]]. Since leaving Gorgoroth, he has been involved with [[God Seed]], [[Wardruna]], and [[Gaahls Wyrd]]. He was the focus of the documentary ''[[True Norwegian Black Metal (film series)|True Norwegian Black Metal]]'' and also appeared in the film ''[[Escape (2012 Norwegian film)|Flukt]]''.

In 2002, Gaahl receivedwas asentenced prisonto sentence12 months in prison for an assault which took place in 2000, and was ordered to pay the victim 158,000 NOK (about US$25,300 US$).<ref>{{Cite nameweb |last="blabbermouthfeb05">[httpInjection |first=Metal |date=2011-02-17 |title=Top 10 Worst Crimes Committed by Black Metal Musicians |url=https://www.blabbermouthmetalinjection.net/newslists/gorgorothtop-singer10-sentencedcrimes-tocommitted-14black-monthsmetal-inmusicians |access-prison/date=2023-10-31 "Gorgoroth Singer Sentenced|website=Metal ToInjection 14 Months In Prison"]. [[Blabbermouth.net]]. 22 February 2005.|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name='gaahl-hist'>{{cite news | first=Chris | last=Campion | title=In the face of death | date=20 February 2005 | publisher=Guardian Unlimited | url =https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/feb/20/popandrock4 | work =[[The Observer]] | access-date = 10 February 2008 }}</ref> Gorgoroth began recording their album ''[[Twilight of the Idols (Gorgoroth album)|Twilight of the Idols]]'' in May that year. Gaahl's imprisonment meant that he was unable to record his vocals until January 2003.<ref name="vds1">{{cite web|url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/gorgoroth.htm|title=www.voicesfromthedarkside.de|last=www.voicesfromthedarkside.de|website=www.voicesfromthedarkside.de|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716084758/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/gorgoroth.htm|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album was released in July that year.

In May 2004, Gaahl again received a prison sentence, for [[aggravated assault]].<ref name="blabbermouthfeb05">[http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/gorgoroth-singer-sentenced-to-14-months-in-prison/ "Gorgoroth Singer Sentenced To 14 Months In Prison"]. [[Blabbermouth.net]]. 22 February 2005.</ref> He [[appeal]]ed for a reduced sentence, and in February 2005 he was re-sentenced to fourteen months in prison and ordered to pay the victim 190,000 NOK (about US$US3030,400) in compensation.<ref name="blabbermouthfeb05"/> The incident happened in February 2002 during a late-night party at Gaahl's house in Espedal, when he became involved in a confrontation with a man. Gaahl was accused of severely beating the man, torturing him for long periods of time and collecting his blood into a cup and threatening to make him drink it.<ref name="blabbermouthfeb05"/> Gaahl said "I was the one who was attacked, but they think I punished him too hard. As I always say, when people cross my line and I let them know where the line is many steps before they cross it, and still they choose to cross it, then I will be the one to decide what their punishment will be".<ref name = "shaman1" /> He also claimed to have given the man the cup "so that he would not make such a mess in my house with all the blood".<ref name="blabbermouthfeb05"/> In March 2006, Gaahl recorded vocals for Gorgoroth's next album, ''[[Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam]]''. According to band members, he was in prison from April<ref name=chroniclesofchaos>[http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles.aspx?id=1-935 Chronicles of Chaos - Interview with King ov Hell, 25 June 2006].</ref> to December 2006.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184250/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/article/?id=45971 "Gorgoroth singer released from prison"]. ''Metal Hammer''. 9 January 2007.</ref>

In January 2010, Gaahl was hired by [[Den Nationale Scene]] in Bergen to play athe role of the [[Norse mythology|Norse]] god [[Heimdall]], son of [[Odin]], in ''Svartediket'', a performance for the 2010 [[Bergen International Festival]]. This caused controversy due to Gaahl's anti-Christian standpoint and support for church burnings. The [[Diocese of Bjørgvin|Bishop of Bjørgvin]] spoke against Gaahl's involvement.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bt.no/nyheter/lokalt/Legger-hardt-press-paa-teatersjefen-1003377.html |title=Legger hardt press på teatersjefen |last=Tønder |first=Finn Bjørn |date=14 January 2010 |work=[[Bergens Tidende]] |language=no |access-date=15 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117081406/http://www.bt.no/nyheter/lokalt/Legger-hardt-press-paa-teatersjefen-1003377.html |archive-date=17 January 2010 }}</ref>

<blockquote>"I'm very pleased with what me and Tom have done together. We've created a lot of good songs, but I think the difference between us is probably the reason why I've started this new band. I've made a lot of my favourite songs that I've created in God Seed and I've brought with me one of these characters from that band."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Selzer|first1=Jonathan|title=Exclusive: Gaahl announces his new band and debut show|url=http://teamrock.com/news/2015-09-29/exclusive-gaahl-announces-his-new-band-and-debut-show|website=Metal Hammer|date=29 September 2015 |access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref></blockquote>Besides his musical career, Gaahl is also paintinga painter. He has an exhibition of his paintings in the Galleri Fjalar in his hometown Bergen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://de-de.facebook.com/gallerifjalar/|title=Galleri Fjalar|website=de-de.facebook.com|language=de|access-date=16 February 2020}}</ref>

Gaahl is openly [[gay]].<ref>{{cite AV media |people=[[Metal Injection]] |date=28 May 2019 |title=GAAHL Talks Being Gay In The Black Metal Scene, His Evolving Career, Things He's Learned In Life |type=[[YouTube]] video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CogRHsL40po |access-date=9 July 2024 |archive-url= |archive-date= |format= |time= |quote= }}</ref> He is an artist, and has had some of his paintings [[Art exhibition|on exhibit]].<ref>[http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-03-11/black-metal-icon-gaahl-discusses-his-artwork-exhibit-at-by-norse-fest "Black metal icon Gaahl discusses his artwork exhibit at By Norse Fest"]. ''Metal Hammer''. 11 March 2016.</ref> He is a"against [[vegetarianism|vegetarian]]<ref>{{citedrugs news|first=Jonathanand |last=Tisdallthe |title=Black metal vocalist faces prison |date=28 April 2004 |journal=[[Aftenposten]]|url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article783522.ece |accessdrug-date=10user February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://webmentality.archive.org/web/20070604074620/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article783522.ece |archive-date=4 June 2007}}</ref> (although one source has claimed otherwise"<ref name="revolver">{{cite magazine|first=Kory |last=Grow|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/content/gorgoroth |title=GORGOROTH|magazine=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]|access-date=12 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515141650/http://www.revolvermag.com/content/gorgoroth|quote=...though Revolver did pay for Gaahl's reindeer dinner while in Bergen...}}</ref>) and is "against drugs and the drug-user mentality."<ref name="revolver"/>

* [http://www.gorgoroth.info/misc/interviews/2003-terrorizer.jpg Interview with Infernus and Gaahl by Terrorizer Magazine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002173712/http://www.gorgoroth.info/misc/interviews/2003-terrorizer.jpg |date=2 October 2011 }}

[[Category:LGBTNorwegian musiciansLGBTQ from Norwaysingers]]

[[Category:LGBTNorwegian singersgay musicians]]

[[Category:Anti-Christian sentiment in EuropeNorway]]

[[Category:Gay musicianssingers]]

[[Category:20th-century LGBTNorwegian LGBTQ people]]

[[Category:21st-century LGBTNorwegian LGBTQ people]]