“The Dim is a perfect title for this release as it truly is an unrelenting journey into the darkness. The iron gates guarding the abyss are torn from their hinges by this ten track monster. A sonic crusher that evokes an uneasy feeling that persists long after the listen. Horns High to Gorlock for creating this essential Metal Masterpiece.

MARKYMETAL WarPlague

1-17-2023 – Our Brothers in Horror and Gore Ghoul & Skidgore did a killer review of our album The Dim. Check out their content and show some support!!!

REVIEW BY: Full Metal Webzine

GORLOCK

“Grimoire for the Apprentice Warlock”

1- Ghost Asylum

2- Strangled In a Kingdom of Old Skin

3- Between Weeping Limbs

4- Mangled Convulsion

5- Shadowless Healing Whispers

6- Flesh Swollen In Dreams

Eric Moore: Guitars, Keyboards

Adam Moore: Guitars, Drum Programming, Keyboards

Buer: Vocals, Lyrics

​This isn’t Black Metal, Death Metal or Doom Metal but rather nice combination of all 3. This reminds me of bands like: Carcass (vocals), Symphony of Grief, Evoken, Thergothon, Darkthrone, Blasphemy, Skinless etc. . With that being said, It’s obvious that the Doom Influence is dominant in the delivery of these 6 tunes, at least from where I’m concerned. The production here is pretty raw, thus we have a a raw sounding EP.  However, when I was reading the lyrics, I was taken aback at the depth and level of abstraction involved in  writing them. The lyrics are very Obscure and have a slight “Gothic” feel to them. This band also uses a variety of vocal patterns ranging from spoken lyric to a low growling type vocal to get their message across. The guitar  riffs are pretty standard and sad to say they are somewhat overbearing on a couple tracks. This isn’t enough to ruin the overall delivery. I’m quite sure this was a production or mixing error and of no fault where the band is concerned. Even though this cd has drum programming rather than a live drummer, you cant really tell unless you listen real good. Adam Moore did a real good job programming the drums and making them sound as real as possible. Over all this is a pretty decent cd with my only complaint is that the songs weren’t long enough IMO. If you are into any of  the above mentioned bands then I highly recommend you pick up this cd.

GORLOCK

Grimoire for the Apprentice Warlock [EP]

Self-released

Street: 12.06.07

Gorlock = I Shalt Become + Mayhem (early) + Esoteric + Godflesh

Gorlock’s debut EP consists of six songs and unfortunately only lasts 16 and a half minutes. Luckily, those minutes seem like hours. This is a trip into a psychotic wonderland of demons and pure abstruseness. There are elements of basically every extreme metal sub-genre within, but the end result could only be defined as experimental. I know the band is working on their first full-length album, and with hopeful certainty they will stick with their production aesthetic, filthy distortions on every layer––be it the highly fuzzed out guitar tone, buzz saw droning drums or the frightening keyboard/programming elements. Grimoire easily transports your state of mind into a strange numbness. If you play the songs loud enough, the distortions will murder your speakers. There are numerous elements of sound here all culminating in a sinister, ghastly, eventful piece of sonic disturbance.

–Bryer Wharton

GORLOCK

“Grimoire For The Apprentice Warlock” MCD `07

 

GORLOCK to dziwaczny twór. Taki wynalazek z Ameryki. Zespół, który niezdecydowanie buja się między mrocznym dark metalem a obskurnym blackiem. Po pierwsze płyta „Grimoire For The Apprentice Warlock” brzmi bardzo źle, a nawet ohydnie i dupnie. Dźwięk bzyczy, charczy, pierdzi. Wszystko jest tak przytłumione lub tak przytłoczone na przykład przez hałasujące gitary, że nie zawsze wszystko słychać, a dotyczy to zwłaszcza wokalu. Tego skrzeku, growlingu, szeptów oraz przedziwnego śpiewu czystym głosem, który przypomina jakąś mantrę… GORLOCK różnicuje tempa: „Ghost Asylum” to wolna, ponura (zresztą jak cały album) kompozycja, a dla odmiany w choćby w „Flesh Swollen in Dreams” automat perkusyjny chwilami napierdala. Patanty death metalowe też się przytrafiają (np. w „Between Weeping Limbs”). Czasami w tle szumi klawisz i jest w tej muzyce jakaś industrialna miarowość. Jej klimat jest upodlony (za sprawą tego brzmienia, które zresztą pod koniec krążka pogarsza się jeszcze bardziej) i wyjątkowo destrukcyjny (te chropowate riffy bzyczą aż nadto po blackowemu). GORLOCK jest tak pochlastany, anarchistyczny, a wedle samych członków grupy: horrorowaty jak włoski VOW DREAMS czy rodacy z dawnego THE FORGOTTEN w swoim zwyrodniałym charakterze. Dużo jest w muzyce tej kapeli chaosu, dysharmonii, pokrzywionych melodii. Płyta „Grimoire For The Apprentice Warlock” jest skierowana tylko dla dziwaków, opętanych samobójców 🙂 albo… dla nikogo. [Kasia]

It fancy creature GORLOCK. Such invention from america. Group, which hesitated is floated between gloomy metal dark but dilapidated blackiem. Firstly, plate sounds „ ” very evil, even horrid and dupnie. Sound buzzes, charczy, pierdzi. Everything it is allay so or for example, by so crush guitar hałasujące, that everything can be heard not always, but especially it concerns it wokalu. This screech, growlingu, whispers and strange song clean voice, which remember some mantrę. It differentiates rates GORLOCK it free ”Ghost Asylum”, anyway, sad ( as whole album ) composition, but for a change in (to) even if in (to) „ ” automaton percussive moment “Flesh Swollen in Dreams” napierdala. They are occurred metal too ( Patanty death e.g. in (to) „ ” ) “Between Weeping Limbs”. Digital hums in background sometimes and it is some (certain) in this music industrialna miarowość. Climate is behind case this tone ( upodlony, anyway, which (who) are deteriorated near the end of round else more ) and they buzz for (after) exclusively destructive ( it rough ) riffy nadto blackowemu. There is so GORLOCK pochlastany, anarchistic, but according to members of (limbs of) groups horrorowaty as italian VOW DREAMS if (or) compatriots from old in character THE FORGOTTEN zwyrodniałym. There is in this music of band of chaos a lot, dysharmonii, melody pokrzywionych. Plate (disc) is directed for eccentrics „ ” only Grimoire For The Apprentice Warlock, overcome suicides – ) either (or). For nobody. [Kasia]

Scott recently spoke to Eric Moore, the guitarist/keyboardist of US extreme metallers Gorlock. Gorlock play a style of black metal that focuses more on mood and atmosphere than all-out extremity, drawing a lot of it’s influence from horror film soundtracks. The ban’s line-up is completed by Eric’s brother Adam, and Weverin frontman Buer. Earlier this year Gorlock released  their first full-length album Dwell In Darkness. 
 
When did the writing and recording begin for Dwell in Darkness?
Most of the music for Dwell in Darkness was written and recorded between the Summer of 2007 and February 2008. At that time we had 15 instrumental rituals that we sent to Buer for lyrics and vocalization. The vocals were then recorded between February 2008 and the Fall of 2008. The album was released in 2008. We had guest vocals by Miss V (Destrudo) Lord Sxuperion (Weverin, Valdur) and Zodiac (Iconoclast Contra, Gravecode Nebula and Ibex Throne). Lastly, during the Fall of ’08 we recorded an acoustic track that would come to appear on the album as a bonus ritual.
 
How would you describe the album’s sound, and the progression displayed from the Grimoire For The Apprentice Warlock release?
To me Gorlock’s music is the thing of dreams and nightmares or of a ghostly plane. With a range of influences from death, black, grind, industrial, the album’s sound is deranged, malevolent, hypnotic and super heavy. If this album were a horror movie it would be a really good one, filled with gore, blood, guts, ghosts,  monsters, screams, scares, death and destruction, one of those movies that scare you for life. Gorlock’s sound has progressed since the Grimoire release in a few ways. One,  we wanted the new album to have a certain flow and design to it so we sat down and recorded all the rituals for the album before sending any material to Buer. The lyrics to this album are by far the best lyrics I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It’s a true honor to be making music with such a talented and intelligent individual as Buer, we are beyond pleased with the way this album turned out. The drums, guitars and keyboards have definitely improved as well as not only quality but skill wise, each ritual is a learning lesson and a stepping stone in the evolution of the band.
 
I’ve noticed (from the rituals I’ve been fortunate enough to hear) that all aspects have been improved upon. When you and Adam set out to write the results and record show so much progression?
When we began writing the material for the new album we expected some progression because we had a general idea of where we had been, and where we still wanted to go. But when the recording was complete even we stood in awe, as unbelievably the intensity and atmosphere these rituals manifested. Everyone that was given a small preview of the upcoming album has received it well. We are anxious to get Dwell in Darkness finished and unleashed upon the World.
 
Were there any influences/other factors that pushed you guys to record such an album?
Horror movies have always been one of my biggest influences, both new and old… I seek them out. There’s something about a well crafted horror score that can chill you to the bone and I like that. We were also listening to a lot of doom metal at the time, something we really hadn’t been exposed to previously. That combined with all the other great music we had continued to discover over the course caused a very successful recording process. Some of the rituals came together from scratch in a day or two time… it was like second nature, instinct.
 
Would say that the doom metal you had been listening to left any discernable impressions on the tracks them-selves?
Yes, the impression is apparent on select rituals more so than others. We were instantly taken in by the nature of these doom bands. That perfect fusion of heady down-tempo sludge and ethereal clean guitars with atmospheric keys. We tried to include some of this style riff wise for the album while still keeping the Gorlock sound and style intact, changing but never compromising.
 
Doom certainly is an aquired taste, it’s good to hear that it has left a positive impression on the rituals. Would you say that any other genre or subgenre has left i’t impression on any other rituals (aside of course from those which influence is already apparent)?
I listen to a lot of the old surf rock bands and like to incorporate that into the technique but in a much darker way. The directed result is a euphoric abysmal soundscape that can literally chill you to the bone.
 
You mentioned guest appearances before. Was there a reason to have these particular individual guests on the album?
No reason other than the fact that they’re among musicians and friends we are beyond honored to collaborate with. All the rituals from this album that featured guest musicians turned out top notch. In addition to these guest vocalists that contributed we had appearances by both Morbid Matt (Liver Slaughter) who played guitar on two of the rituals and Zach Berry a friend of ours from back east who did drums for the song Velvet Atmospheres.
 
Do you think that guest musicians will be again utilised in the future?
Absolutely. I’m excited to see what collaborations come out of the future. Good things for sure!
 
Getting back to the album itself, (obviously this is Buer’s domain) but in your opinion what do the lyrics deal with?
Tragedy, death, darkness, sorrow and remorse are among the topics discussed in these rituals. The lyrics to this album are amazing and go perfectly with the music… it’s as if these songs punched their way into our reality. Some of the rituals are sad and mournful while others are savage and hateful. I find the lyrics haunting at times, echoing through  my head like an old record player.
 
Buer honestly pushes himself beyond all limits he appears on every release and just improves with every successive release (in my opinion). Do you have plans to release this album through yourselves, or a label?
We are still on the lookout for a label to distribute the albums, as for now Dwell in Darkness will be independently released by us! Until we find proper distribution all Gorlock merchandise will be available through our MySpace.
 
Have you considered the option of distro’s in (say for example) other countries?
Yes, that would be our main goal. Once we release the new album we plan to release it and the EP out to various distros around the globe. Hopefully from there we can gain more exposure with a wider fan base and plant the seed in potential Gorlock fans.
 
How is Gorlock’s fanbase spread? Did the EP garner interest from other countries?
It’s pretty even spread across the globe. The most active regions for us thus far have been North America, South America, Central Europe, Middle East and Australia. We’ve also been sending the EP out to a lot of fanzines in places like Thailand, Poland, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Peru and the United States.
 
Where do you see Gorlock heading after Dwell in Darkness?
We are planning to release another EP after this album, we will contain two originals and three covers, one of the originals will be “Dormire” and one of the covers will be “Floods” by Pantera. After that we will start working toward another full length album, some of which we have already started writing and recording. There will also be more Gorlock shirts coming in the future as well as hoodies and stickers.
 
Well, brother I think we’ve covered the album quite well (hopefully without spoiling any of it!) and to end this interview on a positive note I’d like to leave you with the last word…
I’d just like to say that Gorlock has been a very positive experience thus far on behalf of the rest of the band. We hope everyone that enjoys the new album upon its release. I would like to thank you for this interview brother, it has been an honor! CHEERS!

Review for “Dwell In Darkness”

Review by: JEFF MILLS

BANDS WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/gorlockthewarlock

Track #1: “Suicide’s Grace (Introduction)”

~”Suicide’s Grace” So fitting for the opening track. The brimstone chasm opens and unleashes a haunting introduction to punishment. The Moore brothers excel with a haunting grace and offer a look into a depressive and shadow clad void of the extreme metal scene. The choice to make this number an instrumental was a good one. Spoken louder than words ever could, the mood is slowly set to a bleak and barren scope.

Track #2: “Miasmatic Lesions”

~”Miasmatic Lesions”  This track features Zodiac formally of Ibex Throne and current vocalist of Iconoclast Contra who had double duties of lyrics and vox. This track is a mixed bag of thrash ridden guitar bleeding throat black metal vocals! All among the mellow and unnerving backdrop of Gorlock’s infamous wall of ambient guitar and keys provided by Eric Moore. The paring of the future of horror metal and underground black metal legends is a welcomed treat that will have you replaying this track over and over.

Track #3: “Dwell in Darkness”

~”Dwell in darkness” This song shocks the system with a “hello nice to meet you” attitude by being misleadingly quiet… then with no warning it screams “give me your face”!!! With guitars given a tar bath it chugs along until you think your teeth may shatter. The technical prowess beginning at 0:22 with a swirling lead would impress Trey Azagthoth himself (Morbid Angel)! The vocalist displays his knack for going from inhuman growls to precise harmony at 1:47 matching the guitars eerie drone. All in all the rhythmic attack blends with the swarming guitars like a tornado of saw blades and depth charges. The breakdown at 3:42 lumbers through the brain like a starved zombie looking for its next meal and leads to the ending which closes the song well with another change of pace. This song is much like riding a roller coaster to hell… once you cross the scary parts and think the mayhem is done… it slaps you in the face again like a sledgehammer.

Track #4: “Bring Me Death”

~”Bring Me Death” Vocals belted out from what seems to be a truly tortured soul. The guitars delivered like a buzz saw to the neck. It can be compared to laying your head inches away from a running buzz saw just enough to scare the shit out of you, yet rather enjoyable. The Moore brothers churn out sludge thick riffs and precise drumming as if it’s second nature. While filling all the breakdowns with samples that could maybe just drive you mad. What grabs my attention is the unconventional drum beat… most acts involved with this style of music always fall back on the tried and true blast beat or just your everyday double bass ridden patterns. Its refreshing as a bloodbath to hear something unique. With so many elements its impossible to label Gorlock in a genre and that’s something we should all strive for. Death, black, industrial, thrash, progressive… the list grows as one listens. “Bring Me Death” reveals that there is more here than just “meat and potato’s” metal.

Track #5: “Static Reapings”

~”Static Reapings” Showing off the pure brilliance of the recording in this song the swirls of samples linked together with a guitar intro that is for sure to summon goosebumps in places you didn’t think you had. The title of the song suits it very well. If the reaper collected sounds for the grave this is what it would sound like. The vocals blending in exactly without overpowering nothing is lost in this recording. At 1:55 comes a part that gives you that unexplained feeling… power, and just pure fucking evil. Then a gateway into psychosis is torn from the hinges with a flood of melodic conjuring. Adore gore for this because it is static reapings from the most vast of fields!!!

Track #6: “Velvet Atmosphere”

~”Velvet Atmosphere” Manifesting images of a monk gone insane and constructing a murderous death cult. With ambiance that just gives you that uneasy feeling that someone may possibly be lurking in the shadows. This song got many plays from me…. and there will many more to come. This concretes my theory that Gorlock can conjure up its influence of extreme music along with a soundtrack from what seems like the next best horror flick and not make it sound overdone or stale. Gorlock breathes new life into extreme music, then sticks a plastic bag over its head and takes it back… you can quote me on that its so true!!!

Track #7: “I Am Nothing For You”

~”I Am Nothing For You” This number can be summed up quiet easy… DEVASTATING! Soaked in a bottomless pit of chaotic distortion with rampant blast beats and intricate triplet patterns in between. Like a prehistoric mammoth gone rabid this song lumbers and topples everything it touches. My favorite so far.

Track #8: “Its Skeleton Along the Living Worms”

~”Its Skeleton Along the Living Worms” It sounds like Zyklon, Ulver, and Morbid Angel procreated with Satan’s daughter and this is what she birthed. A sonic rape of the senses… you cant help but be overtaken by the power this song will impose. If this is any indication of what Gorlock is like then I suggest everyone raise their horns or get the hell outta the way cause Gorlock is coming to crush.

Track #9: <b>”In the Arms of Your Grave”

~”In the Arms of Your Grave” Brings forth visions of a stalking phantom sworn for revenge. The drone of the guitar mixes so well with the machine gun drumming. Vocals drip with a haunting vibe akin to Emperor or maybe even Ulver. Fantastic job!

Track #10: “Take Me Away In Your Broken Wings”

~”Take Me Away in Your Broken Wings” Is my favorite so far!!!! I have to say it!!! I love all your songs but this one chills beyond the bone!!! Haunting and entrancing.

Track #11: “Blood God”

~”Blood God” The Delivery of Gorlock is somewhat like riding a roller coaster with loose wheels. You begin slowly but teetering on the brink of madness then all hell breaks loose. Every note swirling around the mind like a stagnant pool of malicious intent. The guitar that follows with the unnerving keys in the background is what you would hear if Satan’s child had a music box and opened it for all to hear. It proves that even with dark themes and even darker music that the music can be “catchy” at 00:58 I dare anyone to try and not hum along… its impossible. Then at 1:36 a heavier guitar enters the fray and beckons the listener more. The song then fades to a midway in between one of the most tortured endings I have heard in a long time. By this time the whole band has swelled into psychotic hierarchy then abruptly ending with one last echo into oblivion.

Track #12: “The Scar”

~”The Scar” This blew me away, the whole track is disturbing and I LOVE it!!! With the different collaborations it added a new depth to the song. The guitar was a whirlwind of sludge and the track has a groove as well, Ever since I heard Buer on the Gorlock tracks I have had mass amounts of respect and admiration for his wicked gift. At 1:58 I don’t know which guy it was but it sounded like pure torture and agony, this song was a match made in the netherworld. To say I am impressed is the largest understatement I have ever made.

Track #13: “These Rooms Which Leave Me”

~”These Rooms Which Leave Me” Drenched in epic keys and even more epic vocals this is by far my favorite of what I have heard. With compositions so tight and such a powerful vibe throughout the whole song I can see this being one of the songs that carry the release to the throne and beyond. This song burns itself into the memory by force if need be… As a whole I can without any trouble, envision a total path of carnage with this music. Not only does it effect your mind as music but it also paints a picture while hearing it… with so many ways to access the listeners mind there is no doubt that Gorlock is and will further become an important band. As the behemoth continues to grow so will the audio onslaught behind it. For that matter I can see that Gorlock is primed to burn Utah on the map and soon the world will raise those familiar horns to the cursed sky as a salute to the future gods of audio murder!!!

Track #14: “Remembrance”

~”Remembrance” Also a fitting title I imagine that souls lost on the “other side” listen to this often. The song builds upon itself setting the listener up for something akin to placing you ear on a jackhammer hopped up on a kilo of Utah finest cocaine at 2:20. Then it ends with one final scream of anguish from the vocalist signaling the end of devastation.

Track #15: “There is No Memory to Speak of Me”

~”There is No Memory to Speak of Me” This track forthright throws you into a funeral dirge atmosphere full of fog and depression… with almost a new age of renaissance fair to sink within. There is a period of time that you think it’s safe to move along… well I bid you to just wait… the real torture void comes later! With ambiance dripping from its very core. Gorlock have made it their trademark to paint a vivid picture of limpid stares into another realm… this I promise you could be featured in any upcoming horror/suspense film. It leaves you wondering where it is going next.

Hidden Track: “Mother Fucking Whiskey Hails”

~”Mother Fucking Whiskey Hails” I call this the anthem track. Showing the boys from Utah know how to party down as well as summon all our blackest nightmares. With break neck speed and raspy black metal vocals. One cant help but be impressed with the mix of styles Gorlock brings to the table. So the next time you break the seal on a fine bottle of Jack do yourself the favor of blasting ‘Dwell In Darkness’ and prepare to be leveled.

 
Reactions to  “DWELL IN DARKNESS”

~Awesome, I got to say, FUCKING HELL YEAH!!!! They were all great but my favorite ones were “I Am Nothing For You” and “These Rooms Which Leave Me” I can not wait to hear the other tracks once “Dwell in Darkness” gets released. -Allen

~The new rituals are fucking amazing! A very Doom Metal feel to them, sick as fuck!!! -Der Antikrist

~After listening to the tracks a few times it became obvious that Gorlock truly is coming into its own. Each track took me on a dark journey that was different each time. A truly horrific and enveloping bloodletting. -Scott AKA Pelagic Spectre

~You guys are fucking awesome. I’m listening to “In The Arms Of You Grave” and I fucking love it. Holy shit these new tracks have blown me away! Man, I love them all! But “I Am Nothing For You” is defiantly my favorite! -Ms. Genocide of Genocide Promotions

~Very cool, haunting, choral & dark tune that dude, I like that sorta stuff alot! Kinda reminds me a little of Christ Agony during their dark, experimental era… -ßtwÑ2WÖ®lds

~Fantastic tracks! The atmosphere is pitch fucking dark (suiting title for the album indeed), yet it has some what of a passionate, and romantic feel to it. I dig that. Truly badass! Know that I wear the Gorlock shirt with utmost respect. -Archfiend of ADUMUS

Gorlock rules!!! Listening to the new tracks as I type this and i like what I hear. Obscure, depressive, suffocating… i like it a lot! -Justin of DESOLATE REALM

~Atmospheric and draws you in wanting more. I now cannot wait until the full length is released just to hear more. I think you guys are doing great and the album will do well. Keep up the good work! -Spirit of AXBM/E.N.D.

~wow, this is killer! great job! -Count Inferno of Nekrofrost

~I think they kick ass, Ill have to play them over… there are three I can tell you people are going to be like holy shit they fuckin rule! -The Overlord BigEvil aka Grim