I think for this next review, I’m going to go delve into some black metal. Now I’m selective about my black metal but it is a genre that I do enjoy. For this review I’m going to take a look at the band Dimmu Borgir. So let’s take a look………
For All Tid- I haven’t really listened to this record at all or even heard of it. Now if you have heard some of their newer stuff don’t expect that here. The production is crappy and it just sounds really raw and the song titles and lyrics are all in Norwegian. One thing to note about this is that Shagrath doesn’t sing on this but rather plays drums. Despite the production being as bad as it is, it’s an ok record. I give it 6.5/10
Standouts: Det nye riket, Over bleknede blåner til dommedag, Hunnerkongens sorgsvarte ferd over steppene
Stormblåst- on this record, the production is actually a little better. Now the one I had heard was the original pressing and didn’t realize they had re-recorded it in 2005. At first I wasn’t sure whether or not to like this one. I mean the production on it isn’t great and it’s kind of slow. Plus this is the last album they would release with all the song titles and lyrics in Norwegian. I mean some would call this a classic but I wouldn’t. I feel like it’s one of those where the band is still trying to “find itself.” The piano parts are kind of cool but is feel like they drag on and the aggression is there but I couldn’t get into it as much as other albums. I give it 7/10
Standouts: Når Sjelen Hentes Til Helvete, Antikrist, Når Sjelen Hentes Til Helvet
Enthrone Darkness Triumphant- ok now here we go. This is where they finally start to pick things up. The production is much better on here and this I feel is where they have finally started to find their sound. I feel like the last two albums sounded a little amateurish in terms of production but here we see them finally emerge. The guitars are tighter and the songs flow so much better and Shagrath’s voice is awesome. I give this one 9/10
Standouts: Tormentor of Christian Souls, Spellbound (By The Devil), Entrance
Spiritual Black Dimensions- this one is more of a blackened death metal album and less of a symphonic black metal band. That being said, it’s a fantastic record with a emphasis on the keyboards and less of an emphasis on the slower riffs that were present on the last record. Regardless it’s another great record. It’s also faster than the last record too and we would hear clean vocals from bassist ICS Vortex in contrast with Shagrath’s grittier vocals. For me personally, this is a classic record and one that should not be skipped. I give it 9.5/10
Standouts: Reptile, The Promised Future Aeons, Behind Curtains of Night-Phantasmagoria
Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia- yes this is that album cover of the naked chick wrapped in barbed wire. This is also the first album where there are orchestral parts on the songs. And yes I find these orchestral parts to be cheesy but then again isn’t cheesiness and self parody kind of written into the basis of black metal? I feel like this album is what brought these guys into the mainstream. It’s orchestral yet crushing at the same time. And normally I don’t like keyboards mixed in with my metal no matter the genre but here it’s actually done right. One thing about this is that this would be the first to feature legendary drummer Nicholas Barker. I would say that this is one of their classic albums. I give it 10/10
Standouts: Blessings Upon the Throne of Tyranny, Sympozium, Hybrid Stigmata
Death Cult Armageddon- this is it. This is the one that got me into the band and was my first album I purchased from them. I remember buying this at CD City in Thousand Oaks one day because I had seen the video for the song Progenies of the Great Apocalypse. I played this so much I wore it out and had to buy a new copy a few years later. I say if you’re going to start listening to this band then this is a good place to start. I don’t know I go back and forth between this album and the last album. The drums are great and Nicholas Barker (this would be his last album) does a great job. The guitars and riffs are brutal and pair well with Shagrath’s vocals and the orchestra stuff isn’t overdone. I give this one 10/10.
Standouts: Allegiance, Lepers Among Us, Allehelgens Død I Helveds Rike
In Sorte Diaboli- ah so now we have a concept album. It’s about a priest in Medieval Europe who begins to doubt his faith and then takes the place of the Antichrist. As far as the album is concerned, it’s another solid album. I had heard some songs off of this when it came out but when you listen to it from start to finish, it’s a really good album. I would actually put it on par with Death Cult and Puritanical. Unfortunately this would be the last album with ICS Vortex which is too bad because I feel like he, Shagrath, and guitarists Silenoz and Galder all had great chemistry. To me, this is another great album which is why I give this 10/10
Standouts: The Sepentine Offering, The Chosen Legacy, The Ancestral Fever
Abrahadabra- so I think I put off listening to this because of the album title. Like it’s a really dumb album name. It’s right up there with Deicide’s ‘Til Death Do Us Part. With this album, I feel like there is something missing and maybe it’s the fact that neither drummer Hellhammer and bassist ICS Vortex are missing. I mean musically it sounds like a more orchestral version of an album like Death Cult. As a whole the album isn’t bad but maybe not as strong as the last couple albums. Still though, an album worth a listen. I give it 7/10
Standouts: Born Treacherous, Ritualist, Renewal
Eonian- their first album in 8 years. I guess there were problems that prevented it from being released earlier. This album also incorporates folk music elements and Shagrath’s vocals are almost spoken on a lot of songs. I don’t know I really wanted to like this album more. Like I really was hoping for a return to form. I also feel like the album is a bit overproduced. Now there are some great moments on the record and at the end of the day, it’s a good record but not their best. Like they’ve done better. I give this 7/10
Standouts: Ætheric, Council of Wolves and Snakes, Lightbringer
If you are curious about black metal, or have never heard any black metal, I would suggest starting with these guys. Yes they’ve had some hits and misses but overall, this is a great band who I think should get way more respect than they deserve. Their really good albums are ones that should definitely be listened to and they’re definitely on my bucket list of bands to see live. Hopefully they will come to Los Angeles sooner rather than later.
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- Death Cult Armageddon
- Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia
- In Sorte Diaboli
- Spiritual Black Dimensions
- Enthrone Darkness Triumphant
- Abrahadabra
- Stormblåst
- Eonian
- For All Tid
Sinister Reviews 