Dimmu Borgir
Norwegian melodic black metal band whose music has been in the charts in several Scandinavian countries and Germany. "Dimmu Borgir" means "Dark Castle" or "Dark Citadel" in Icelandic.
Statistics
Biography
Dimmu Borgir was originally founded in 1993 by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv. The band immediately released an EP entitled Inn I Evighetens Mørke (1994) – translated to English the title means "Into The Eternity Of Darkness". This short EP sold out within weeks, and the band followed up with the full length album For All Tid (1994) – the title translates to "Forever". This album featured musical contributions by members of Dødheimsgård and Ved Buens Ende. In 1996, the band released their monumental album Stormblåst (translates to "Storm Blown"). Stormblåst received high praise from many melodic black metal fans, and is often regarded a highlight of the band's career. It is also the last album which features all lyrics written and sung in Norwegian.
After Stormblåst, Dimmu Borgir's career took a sharp turn. Keyboardist Stian Aarstad left the band due to his obligation to serve in the army, thus he was not able to participate in the recording of Devil's Path (1996). When he returned for the recording of Enthrone Darkness Triumphant (1997), he had trouble attending rehearsals and tourdates, and he was fired from the band. Enthrone Darkness Triumphant was a huge success for the band, and it was their first release signed to the famous German record label Nuclear Blast.
Dimmu Borgir's following full-length albums – Spiritual Black Dimensions (1999) and Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia (2001) – both met critical acclaim. Some fans accused the band of selling out due to the mass audiences which the albums reached. In 2003, Dimmu Borgir used their major record label financial leverage to create a monumental album titled Death Cult Armageddon. Sections of the album were recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra to enhance the classical arrangements which have always augmented the band's style. Death Cult Armageddon has often been cited by critics and new listeners as the band's strongest, most diverse album. Many fans disagree, however, maintaining a preference for the band's older, less bombastic style.
Discography
Studio releases
- Inn I Evighetens Mørke [EP] - (1994)
- For All Tid - (1994) (Reis. 1997)
- Stormblåst - (1996)
- Devil's Path [EP] - (1996)
- Enthrone Darkness Triumphant - (1997) (Reis. 2002)
- Spiritual Black Dimensions - (1999)
- Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia - (2001)
- Death Cult Armageddon - (2003)
Live and other releases
- Godless Savage Garden [Compilation] - (1998)
- Alive In Torment [Live] - (2001)
- World Misanthropy [DVD/VHS] - (2002)
- World Misanthropy [Live] - (2002)
Band members
Current members
- Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) - Vocals - (1993-)
- Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen) - Guitar - (2001-)
- Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) - Guitar - (1993-)
- ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnaes) - Bass - (2000-)
- Mustis (Øyvind Mustafarta) - Keyboard - (1998-)
Former members
