GAAHL's Mother Defends GORGOROTH Singer Against Blood-Drinking Charges: 'My Son's A Vegetarian'

GORGOROTH singer Gaahl is facing 18 months in a Norwegian prison on charges that he beat a 41-year-old man in what the victim called a ritual attack. The 28-year-old had originally faced up to nine years for threats and violence, but the prosecution asked for a much shorter sentence at the close of a two-day trial on Wednesday (April 28).

Gaahl, who appeared in court wearing a black GORGOROTH t-shirt, a leather jacket and a Thor's Hammer necklace (Photo#1, Photo#2, Photo#3, Photo#4),is accused of performing ritual violence that included collecting blood from his victim and drinking it, newspaper VG reports. The victim, whose identity hasn't been revealed, has been on sick leave for over two years since the February 2002 attack.

According to the charges, the 41-year-old was hit and kicked several times in the face and head and needed stitches to close cuts in his head. His nose was broken and he suffered major dental damage, newspaper Aftenposten reports.

Gaahl, who has several prior convictions including one for assault and battery, claimed that he acted in self-defense.

Taking the stand in her son's defense, Gaahl's mother testified that she found the accusation of blood drinking particularly hard to believe.

"My son is a vegetarian and very fussy about food. He eats absolutely no innards. That is why I do not believe this at all," Gaahl's mother told the court.

Formed in 1992, GORGOROTH took their name from J.R.R. Tolkien's book "The Lord Of The Rings". Gaahl, who joined the band in 1998, is believed to be involved with at least three other projects (GAAHLSKAGG, SIGFADER, TRELLDOM),all of which feature a musical direction described as "raw, unsophisticated black metal."

GORGOROTH drew international attention in early February after they were accused of "offending religious feelings" during a concert in Poland. The band were also suspected of breaching the Polish law on protection of animals by displaying the severed and impaled heads of sheep as part of their stage act.