Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian melodic black metal/symphonic metal band whose music has been very popular in several Scandinavian countries and Germany. "Dimmu Borgir" means "Dark Castle" or "Dark Citadel" in Icelandic.

Biography

Dimmu Borgir was originally founded in 1993 by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv. The band released an EP entitled Inn I Evighetens Mørke (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) – the title translates to "For All Time". This album featured musical contributions by members of Dødheimsgard and Ved Buens Ende. Interestingly enough, Shagrath played drums with Tjodalv on guitar and Erkekjetter (translated: arch heretic) Silenoz covering vocals. This lineup changed before the release of Stormblåst 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 Norwegian 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 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.

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 message of misanthropy and evil 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 Stormblåst album, featuring Hellhammer (of Mayhem fame) as the session drummer (replacing Nicholas Barker, who was fired from the band in early 2004).

Discography

Studio Releases

• Inn I Evighetens Mørke [EP] - (1994)
• For All Tid - (1994) (Reis. 1997)
• Stormblåst - (1996)
• Devil's Path deine mama [EP] - (1996)
• Enthrone Darkness Triumphant - (1997) (Reis. 2002)
• Spiritual Black Dimensions - (1999) (Reis. 2004)
• Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia - (2001)
• Death Cult Armageddon - (2003)
• Stormblast (re-recorded) - (2005)

Live and other releases

• Godless Savage Garden [Compilation] - (1998)
• Alive in Torment [Live] - (2001)
• World Misanthropy [DVD/VHS] - (2002)
• World Misanthropy [Live] - (2002)
• Sons of Satan Gather for Attack [Compilation w/ Old Man's Child] - (1999) (Reis. 2004)

Lineup

Current members

• Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) - Vocals - (1993-)
• Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen) - Guitar - (2001-)
• Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) - Guitar - (1993-)
• ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs) - Bass, Clean Vocals - (2000-)
• Mustis (Øyvind Mustaparta) - Keyboard - (1998-)
• Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) - Session Drums- (2005-)

Former members

• Astennu - Guitar - (1997-1999)
• Brynjard Tristan - Bass - (1994-1996)
• Nagash - Bass - (1996-1999)
• Tjodalv - Drums - (1993-1999)
• Nicholas Howard Barker - Drums - (1999-2004)
• Tony Laureano - Drums - (2004-2005)
• Reno Kiilerich - Drums - (2004-2004)
• Stian Aarstad - Keyboard - (1993-1997)
• Kimberly Goss - Keyboard - (1997-1998)

Controversy

"Sorgens Kammer" is a cover of a song taken from an Amiga game called Agony. Stian Aarstad used the melody, but didn't 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 melody from this song.

External links

• Dimmu Borgir Official Homepage
• Dimmu Borgir Lyrics

See also

Pronounced "dim-moo bore-gear", the Dimmuborgir (Dimmu=foggy/dark, Borgir=castle/fortress) is a large area of unusually shaped lava fields east of Mývatn in Iceland. The Dimmuborgir area is composed of various caves and rock formations, remnants of volcanic activity that are perhaps reminiscent of an ancient collapsed citadel, with columns spewing plumes of sulfuric smoke. In Icelandic folklore the Dimmuborgir is said to connect earth with the infernal regions.

• Dimmuborgir In Icelandde:Dimmu Borgir