Can something like this be done without using frames?

Gorgoroth.org - the official Gorgoroth website

On that website in particular, no. Which stinks, because it's a rather cool way of using frames. I would just rather design something that doesn't need frames in order to look that cool. I've seen "cooler" looking websites that don't require frames.. those designers have something right.

You should always try and avoid frams if you can as they can confuse search engines and hinder indexing of your pages.

Actually, yes, there is a way to do that with CSS - no frame:
CSS Frames v2, full-height | 456 Berea Street

Yes you can do that with css and it's very simple.

I try to avoid frames; but they make it easier for gaming sites with lots of new pages; instead of updating the main menu on 174 pages; just 1 update in the frame. I offer it as a choice to all my large clients; but most decline.

A better method would be a server-side include for that menu.

You can use CSS for that.

yes it can be done without frames. maybe try a dreamweaver template or just a html tempalte