Dimmu Borgir

Members: Stian Thoresen, Thomas Rune Andersen, Sven Atle Kopperud, Simen Hestnas, Oyvind Mustaparta

Active: 1993 - Present

HISTORY

Dimmu Borgir was originally founded in 1993 by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv. The band released an EP entitled Inn I Evighetens Morke (1994) translated to English the title means "Into The Darkness of Eternity". This short EP sold out within weeks, and the band followed up with the full length album For All Tid (1994). This album featured musical contributions by members of Dodheimsgard and Ved Buens Ende. Interestingly enough, Shagrath played drums with Tjodalv on guitar and Erkekjetter (translating "arch heretic") Silenoz covering vocals. This lineup changed before the release of Stormblast (translates to "Storm Blown") on Cacophonous Records in 1996. Stormblast 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 Stormblast, Dimmu Borgir's career took a sharp turn. Keyboardist Stian Aarstad left the band due to his obligation to serve in the Norwegian army, thus he was not able to participate in the recording of Devil's Path (1996). That period was also marked by the leave of their bassist Brynjard Tristan and the arrival of Nagash. Stian Aarstad returned for the recording of Enthrone Darkness Triumphant (1997). On the tour to support the album he had trouble attending rehearsals and tour dates, 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. It was recorded in the Abyss Studios, owned by Hypocrisy's mainman Peter Tagtgren.

After the tour for Enthrone Darkness Triumphant the band recruited new members Mustis on keyboards and Astennu on second guitar so that Shagrath could concentrate on vocals.

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.

The band has stated that they are not "commercially-oriented", and instead they simply wish to spread their music to more people. 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.

In 2005, the band did a complete re-recording of the Stormblast album, featuring Mayhem member Hellhammer as the session drummer.

CONTROVERSY

Sorgens Kammer" is a cover of a song taken from an Amiga game called Agony. Stian Aarstad used the melody, but did not tell anyone about it. The band always thought it was their own song until the original composer contacted them. Because of this, they removed the song from the 2005 version of Stormblast. It was replaced by a previously unreleased track called "Sorgens Kammer - del II"

In C.S. Lewis' famous book Narnia; The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, a demon named Silenoz is mentioned at the back of an autobiographical book in Mr. Tumnus' house.

Many metal/guitar enthusiasts do not realize the fact that Dimmu Borgir uses mainly standard guitar tuning. Following the release of " Death Cult Armageddon", the band's guitarists were interviewed by the major guitar publication "Guitar World". In that interview, the guitarists stated that they used mainly standard 6 string tuning, (or other wise known as "E") the guitarists also stated they used standard 7 string guitars, but rarely. They also stated that the heaviness of riffs and guitar/bass parts of they songs is attributed to the fact that they are using a dual-guitar setup and that both of them use "special" types of power chords to make those parts sound heavier and more aggressive. The special powerchords are simply a normal powerchord, except the middle note, the dominant, is down two semitones or frets, known as a second inversion.

STUDIO RELEASES

1994 - Inn I Evighetens Morke [EP]

1994 - For All Tid (Reissue 1997)

1996 - Stormblast

1996 - Devil's Path [EP]

1997 - Enthrone Darkness Triumphant - (1997) (Reissue 2002)

1999 - Spiritual Black Dimensions (Reissue 2004)

2001 - Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia

2003 - Death Cult Armageddon

2005 - Stormblast (re-recorded)

LIVE AND OTHER RELEASES

1997 - Live & plugged vol.2 (Live VHS)

1998 - Godless Savage Garden [Compilation]

2001 - Alive in Torment [Live]

2002 - World Misanthropy [DVD/VHS]

2002 - World Misanthropy [Live]

1999 - Sons of Satan Gather for Attack [Compilation w/ Old Man's Child] (Reissue 2004)