Gorgon. Interview with Christophe Chatelet.

Interview by Andrew Stanton.

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness.

- Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

I formed the band in 1991 in the South of France. With different line-ups we have published 1 demo (Call From Unknown Depths) in 1992, 1 EP (Immortal Horde) in 1993 on the Italian label Wounded Love Records and 4 albums afterwards (The Lady Rides A Black Horse -1995, Reign of Obscenity -1996, The Jackal Pact -1998, The Spectral Voices -2000. The band was put on hiatus for a few years and we came back in 2019, with our 5th album The Veil Of Darkness, out on the French label Osmose Productions. Recently our new album Traditio Satanae has just been released, also on the same label. Between 2019 and 2020, our first 4 albums have all also been reissued in a remastered version.

- What bands did you like growing up?

I started with Venom, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Sarcofago, Bulldozer, Torture which at the time we could find on vinyl format. Subsequently, I slipped into the underground scene with Samael, Acheron, Tiamat or even Impaled Nazarene. Nowadays, thanks to the internet, we have the possibility to listen or get what we want in demo, EP or other limited prints. But back then, that wasn’t the case, unless you knew someone who had the right contacts or that you received mailing lists in paper format.

- What was it like making Black Metal in 1992 compared to now? What was the French scene like in the early 90’s?

At our beginnings, Death Metal was the most popular style in the extreme metal scene. Only a few guys listened to Black Metal, because the French mags or fanzines were not focused on this dark music. With the exceptions of Gorgon, Mutiilation and Maleficum Orgia, there wasn’t much happening in France back in 1992. I was in contact with the leader of Mutiilation and we performed 2 times with Maleficum Orgia in 1993. Blessed In Sin or Osculum Infame for example, were formed a bit later. All that changed, with the arrival of the Scandinavian scene, with acts such as Cradle Of Filth, responsible for launching the trend. National metal mags started publishing interviews of them and the audience followed this trend. As usual, indeed.

- What are your lyrics about?

They mainly revolve around death, occultism, witchcraft, darkness. Classic themes in short, but which are quintessential for me, for a Black Metal band. It’s all about the way they are written and presented, in order to bring originality. We spend a lot of time on our lyrics, so as not to repeat ourselves, even if the majority of the guys who listen to this style are mainly interested in the music.

- Was singing in English a hard decision to make?

On the contrary, it was clear from the start that this was the language in which I wanted to express myself. Over the years, groups have started to stand out by singing in their native language. Again, more or less Scandinavia initiated the thing, and then it started spreading throughout the world. But, take for example the original artists such as: Bathory in Sweden, Hellhammer or Samael in Switzerland, Necromantia or Totting Christ in Greece, English was their basic language. It’s not that we wanted to go with the flow, it happened naturally that’s all. I maintain that our choice was the correct one, as far as Gorgon is concerned.

- There is another French band called Gorgon. Was this ever a problem for you?

I would have preferred that they take another name, it would have been more logical, especially since they knew of our existence. 2 extreme metal groups in the same country with the same surname, it’s not the most intelligent thing. This must have created confusion among listeners for sure. Our group was on a break when they started, from the panel of names available it would have been wiser on their end to pick a different one altogether. Slayer doesn’t exist anymore, that’s no reason for a new group to use that name. This is what happened to us. This fake gorgon has split up about a year ago, but the name their productions and some merch are still circulating on the web. There was also another gorgon, a Japanese heavy-metal band, which was created after we were already established. But at that time, since the internet did not exist, it’s conceivable that they did not know of our existence. This is not the case with these Frenchmen.

- What can fans expect from your new album?

Everything they love about Gorgon but pushed to the limit. To sum it up, more energy, savagery, hatred, catchy melodies at the service of powerful riffs. It’s in continuity of the previous one, very direct, with a 90’s spirit but a modern sound. There is the desire not to repeat oneself while remaining faithful to a certain path. Each song must be easily distinguished from one another. We have very good feedback for the moment both from those who follow us and those who’ve just discovered us. It’s a great offering to those who have loved us a long time.

- Will there be a tour?

No, I don’t think so. There will only be occasional concerts, like during festivals. This is what happened for the previous album and in my opinion, it will be the same. Afterwards, if opportunities arise, we will of course consider it. Now that Traditio Satanae is out, it’s towards the stage that we turn our gaze. We have a new set list that we need to work on.

- Do you have a message for our readers?

As I said previously, there is an ease of listening now. So with that being said, I encourage those of you who do not know us to take a moment and hearken, but to also do the same with the other groups present in these pages. You put us in the spotlight and we thank you for that. Also that your readers see for themselves of our potential and judge accordingly if it corresponds to their expectations. Maybe some will prefer our past discography, but Traditio Satanae really represents the best features of what we could offer in 2021.

Thank you for your time.