Gorgoroth’s Frank Watkins Joined the Band Because He ‘Was a Huge Fan’

There's been a swirl of controversy surrounding Norway's Gorgoroth for quite some time. Whether it was ex-vocalist Gaahl's legal troubles -- he beat the living piss out of someone -- or Gaahl's and ex-bassist King ov Hell's battles with guitarist Infernus over the band's name when the two factions split into two Gorgoroths, the band is always exciting to follow.



Obituary bassist Frank Watkins is in the Infernus version of the band. "Infernus had the band since 1992," Watkins, who uses the stage name 'Boddel,' told Noisecreep from his home in Florida. "He had issues with two ex-members who tried to throw him out and trademark the name behind his back. We fought all this in court and we won the name. We are moving on."

Despite his role in the band, Watkins isn't abandoning the warm, humid air of Florida for the cold, grim skies of Norway! "I'd love to live there, so maybe I will buy a house there one day, but I would not move there, I have a wife and kids and have been here for 25 years. I am molded here," Watkins said.

Watkins, however, does love being in the band. His friendship with Infernus and his love of Gorgoroth's music is what brought him to his current role as bassist. "I have known him for a long time," Watkins said. "We started emailing in the late '90s and we have been in touch. He's come to Obituary shows in Europe and we hung out at festivals. We were good friends for a long time.

"We talked seriously about business, with him asking me about the music industry. We traded stories with each other and when he needed a new bass player, he said, 'You wanna play bass?' I didn't even question it. I was a huge fan. I had seen things on the DVD filmed in Poland. It was intriguing. When this happened, I was blown away. If someone joined Obituary and then tried to trademark the name and steal it, I'd be pissed, too."

Oddly enough, Watkins joined the band in October 2007 but played his first show with the band in June of 2009! Time and distance didn't hamper the performance, though. He said, "We gelled perfectly. it was comfortable. I lived with him for a few weeks in Norway. We recorded the album in Sweden. It's been smooth."

'Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt' is out now.