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Dimmu Borgir began their career by releasing a 7"
EP entitled "Inn I Evighetens Morke" ("Into
the Eternity of Darkness") on Necromantic Gallery
Productions in 1994. It sold out within a few weeks,
marking the start of a successful and magnificent band.
Dimmu Borgir existed in the black metal scene for quite
some time but did not get the recognition they deserved
until late 1994, when they released their debut full
length album "For All Tid"--a slow, dark and
atmospheric recording--on No Colour Records. The album
features contributions by Aldrahn from Dødheimsgard
and Vicotnik from Ved Buens Ende. The lineup on their
debut album was: Shagrath - Drums & Vocals (Guitar
on track 5), Erkekjetter Silenoz - Guitar & Vocals,
Tjodalv - Guitar, Brynjard Tristan - Bass, Stian Aarstad
- Synthesizers, Piano & Effects.
In 1996 they released one of the most important albums
in black metal history, "Stormblåst",
on a new label, Cacophonous records. During that time
period, this album showed that Dimmu Borgir was one
of the better melodic black metal bands. They took a
big step forwards, towards the distinctive sound in
which Dimmu Borgir is known for today. Mature song writing,
with good variance of tempos, a strong classical influence
and one of the best black metal sounds out there. "Stormblåst"
showed an increase in speed, yet maintained the melody
and atmosphere. Lineup on this recording was: Shagrath
- Lead Guitar & Vocals, Erkekjetter Silenoz - Rhythm
Guitar & Vocals, Tjodalv - Drum & Percussion,
Brynjard Tristan - Bass Guitar, Stian Aarstad - Synthesizers
& Piano.
For the first two full lengths, Dimmu Borgir wrote their
lyrics in Norwegian, however after the release of "Stormblåst",
they changed the lyrics into English. The main reason
was that the majority of the audience did not understand
the lyrics and so Dimmu Borgir wanted use a popular
language to communicate their message--to reach a broader
audience.
After "Stormblåst", Dimmu Borgir released
the "Devil's Path" MCD on Hot Records, in
1996. Shagrath actually worked in Hot records and he
was responsible for the signing and promotion of bands.
"Devil's Path" is a MCD with 4 songs, and
includes a brilliant song entitled "Devil's Path",
so it's worth purchasing this release to complete your
Dimmu Borgir discography. For the MCD, Nagash, who at
that time was in Troll and The Kovenant (previously
called Covenant) was recruited to replace Tristan on
bass. Stian Aarstad did not perform keyboard duties
on this album due to the fact that he had to take care
of business regarding the Norwegian army. Line up on
this recording was: Shagrath - Guitar, Vocals &
Keyboard, Erkekjetter Silenoz - Guitar, Tjodalv - Drums,
Nagash - Bass.
In 1997 Dimmu Borgir released their masterpiece "Enthrone
Darkness Triumphant"--an engaging, powerful and
moving recording. One of the most important black metal
releases this century (webmaster's comment). "Enthrone…"
marked a move to a bigger label, impeccable production
(by the famous Peter Tagtren) and the success of 150,000+
in record sales. Due to these reasons, many have claimed
that Dimmu Borgir have sold out. This is not true. The
fact is that with this release they have made black
metal available for a much broader audience and with
their melodic-yet-still-aggressive sound, they became
one of the biggest names in black metal. This was a
great achievement, and being a hard working, dedicated
and persistent band, Dimmu Borgir deserve their high
status. "Enthrone…" was released on their
new label, Nuclear Blast, after their old record label
failed to give their best to promote Dimmu Borgir. If
you are curious as to why the lyrics of "Tormentor
of Christian Souls" are not include in the booklet
is because Nuclear Blast did not want to be responsible
for printing them! Line up on this recording was: Shagrath
- Guitar & Vocals, Erkekjetter Silenoz - Guitar,
Tjodalv - Drums, Nagash - Bass, Stian Aarstad - Synthesizers
and piano.
After the recording of "Enthrone…" the
band hired Astennu to play guitars during live performances,
so Shagrath could fully concentrate on his vocals and
stage performance. Astennu replaced Jens Petter who
was a member for a short while between "Stormblåst"
and "Enthrone…" Astennu is originally
from Australia and came to Norway to record his solo
project Carpe Tenebrum, which was previously called
Lord Kaos. He then played guitar in The Kovenant and
after a short time, became aware of his priorities,
quit, and is presently a full-time member of Dimmu Borgir.
After the "Enthrone…" tour, Dimmu Borgir
had a mini-tour where Tjodalv left the band for a few
months to be with his family and newborn child. His
replacement was Aggressor, filling in as a session drummer,
who is currently with Aura Noir. In the "Enthrone…"
tour, Stian Aarstad had trouble participating in some
of the performances and was fired from the band. Stian
Aarstad has now joined the ranks of the Norwegian black
metal band Enthral. His replacement was Kimberley Goss,
who has previously worked with Therion, Ancient and
currently, Sinergy. But after an incredibly brief stay
with Dimmu Borgir, Kimberly Goss had to leave the band,
due to the fact that she was a session member. Her replacement--on
a very short notice--was Mustis, a young keyboard player
from Norway and acquaintance of Shagrath since early
1998. He had his first live appearance with Dimmu Borgir
at the Dynamo Open Air festival 1998. Mustis has not
played in any significant bands previous to Dimmu Borgir,
but he has added a new element to the band, and the
new sound can be heard on "Spiritual…"
Mustis had a heavy influence on this album, considering
60% of Dimmu Borgir songs are created on keyboard first.
A very nice surprise was the re-release of Dimmu Borgir's
debut album, "For all Tid", on Nuclear Blast
in 1998. This album contains all of the original material
and includes two songs from their 7" EP "Inn
I Evighetens Morke" ("Into the Eternity of
Darkness"). In the same year, Dimmu Borgir released
a MCD, "Godless Savage Garden", which is also
on Nuclear Blast. The album contains 2 new songs, 2
re-releases, one cover and 3 live recordings. This release
was only intended to be a "goodie" while the
fans were waiting for the new album, "Spiritual…"
This MCD was rated so good that it was nominated for
"Spellemannsprisen", a Norwegian Grammy, in
the metal category. "Godless…" was nominated
together with albums from The Kovenant and Mundanus
Imperium. The whole show was aired on Norwegian television
and Dimmu Borgir played "Grotesquery Concealed"
live, from the "Spiritual…" album. The
performance was the only highlight of the entire show.
Unfortunately Dimmu Borgir did not win the Grammy, but
The Kovenant did, for their "Nexus Polaris"
album.
The recording of "Spiritual Black Dimensions"
once again took place in the infamous Abyss Studios
with Peter Tagtren (Hypocrisy, Pain, The Abyss). Dimmu
Borgir achieved an outstanding sound, complexly layered
and powerfully enchanting. "Phantasmagoria"
was the name of the song first performed live at 1998
Dynamo festival. Another song from "Spiritual..."
was released on the Beauty in Darkness Vol.3 compilation,
on Nuclear Blast, entitled "The Insight And The
Catharsis", serving as a teaser before the albums
official release.
Released officially on March 1, 1999, by Nuclear Blast,
"Spiritual..." took the record stores by storm
and proved once again that Dimmu Borgir are the kings
of the dark throne. Prior to the release, many have
been curious as to what direction the music would take.
Those in doubt of Dimmu Borgir's dedication to extreme
music were forced to face reality when "Spiritual…"
proved to be their most complex and extreme album to
date. After this recording Nagash decided to quit Dimmu
Borgir to concentrate fully on The Kovenant. The temporary
replacement, Simen Hestnaes (also known as I.C.S. Vortex)
from Borknagar contributed to this recording with clean
and operatic style vocals. He is also the session bassist
on the "Spiritual…" tour 1999. In late
1999 Simen became (as I think everybody hoped for) the
permanent replacement on bass and full member of Dimmu
Borgir. The line up on this recording was: Shagrath
- Vocals, Erkekjetter Silenoz - Guitar, Astennu - Lead
Guitar, Tjodalv - Drums & Percussion, Nagash - Bass,
Mustis - Synthesizers & Piano.
A month after the release of "Spiritual... ",
Dimmu Borgir made a split album with Old Man's Child,
titled "Sons of Satan Gather for Attack."
Also in the same month Astennu released his side project,
Carpe Tenebrum, entitled "Mirrored Hate painting".
This project involved vocals from Nagash and contains
similar elements as Dimmu Borgir, only faster. Both
of these albums were released through Hammerheart Records.
In the early stages of the 1999 Dimmu Borgir tour, right
after their crushing gigs in New Jersey and Montreal,
Tjodalv decided to leave the band due to musical and
personal differences. He has a family to take care of
and cannot do the immense touring of Dimmu Borgir. Tjodalv's
replacement should be familiar to everyone, it is none
other than the godly Nick Barker, former Cradle Of Filth
drummer. Nick has recently finished drumming duties
with Borknagar on the North American "Kings of
Terror Tour". Nick will release a new album with
his side project "Lockup", the album is titled
"Pleasure paves sewers". The album was recorded
in Peter’s Abyss Studio in Sweden and released
22.11.99 by Nuclear Blast.
Dimmu Borgir was about to start the recording of a new
album in March 2000 the bandwas booked into Abyss studio
with producer Peter Tagtgren to record the yet untitled
new album in March and April 2000. This did not happen
because they needed more time to finish the new material.
They also have had some financial problems that restricted
the rehersal time, because Nick still lives in England
and could not afford to come over to norway as often
as he should have. The recording of the new album is
set to take place in studio Fredman.
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