Dimmu Borgir

Amidst the fiery chaos of the early ’90s Norwegian black metal scene arose a maelstrom of raw violence named Dimmu Borgir. The band sought to blaze their own dark path through the hostile underworld of the burgeoning scene by combining the bleakness of ’80s black metal and a few classical touches with more traditional heavy metal riffing.

Now, after two years of studio silence, Dimmu Borgir have returned with their coup de grace, Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia. Having already left an indelible mark upon the black metal world, the Black Hearted Angels have now turned to expanding their dark art by stretching their leathery wings a bit. The "Fear and Wonder" lulls the listener in with its soundtrack-like eloquence, but all thoughts of a serene album are shattered when "Blessings Upon the Throne of Tyranny" rages out of the speakers like an unleashed beast. "Kings of the Carnival Creation" and "Hybrid Stigmata" show a nice tempo variance from the blasting opener, but it’s "Puritania" that truly shows the diversity Dimmu Borgir achieves on Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia. The electronic-tinged vocals and pseudo industrial feel make the song unlike anything they have done before. It’s these efforts to remain true to their past while exploring new avenues of sound and artistry that set this album apart.

Seeking a new outlet for their creative output, the band decided to leave the comfortable bowels of Abyss Studios, opting instead to enter the icy lair known as Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. Producer Fredrik Nordström’s (In Flames, Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquillity) technical approach replaces the thick, reverb heavy sound of the band’s past two efforts with a refined, slick sharpness that cuts to the bone, transforming Dimmu Borgir from a lumbering behemoth into a stealthy assassin. And like all good assassins, Dimmu Borgir have many weapons at their disposal. Vortex (now a permanent member after leaving Borknagar) again weaves his operatic vocals around Shagrath’s aggressive growl, giving the songs added depth and texture, while new guitarist Galder (Old Man’s Child mastermind) brings a veteran attitude and welcome experience with arrangements. They even add a "seventh" member in the form of the Gothenburg Opera Orchestra on a few tracks. The Dimmu Borgir that greets 2001 undoubtedly sports the most superior lineup of the band’s history, helping lift Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia beyond anything else in the field of extreme metal.