Stormbringer Webzine

Metal Reviews

Godless Savage Garden
DIMMU BORGIR



Dimmu Borgir are :
Shagrath on Vocals
Astennu on Guitar
Erkekjetter Silenoz on Guitar
Nagash on Bass
Tjodalv on Drums

The tracks are :
1. Moonchild Domain
2. Hunnerkongen
3, Chaos Without Prophecy
4. Raabjorn Speiler Draugheimens Skodde
5. Metal Heart
6. Stormblast (live)
7. Master Of Disharmony (live)
8. In Death's Embrace (live)

Godless Savage Garden is not the long awaited new album from Norway's finest exploit in the art of black metal. But a stop gap collection that proves if anything that the band have achieved such status that it's now warranted or with so much resting on their new alum this could be called an appetizer, something to tease you in anticipation of greater things to come.

Which ever way you look at it Godless Savage Garden is a fine collection thats fantastic value (as it has been released at a special lower price).

So what do you get for your money, well 8 tracks in all, 3 live songs, 2 re-recorded, one cover and 2 new songs.

The 3 live tracks 'Stormblast', 'Master Of Disharmony' and 'In Death's Embrace' were recorded in Poland earlier this year and highlight just how far the band have come in the last 10 months. Out of the 3, 'Stormblast' just about edges over the other 2 if only for Shagraths classic intro "We are the black hearted angels fallen from grace".

The two that have been re-recorded first appeared on the bands debut album For All Tid and feature Silenoz on vocal instead of the normal frontman Shagrath. 'Hunnerkongen' and 'Raabjorn Speiler Draugheimens Skodde' are still fresh and exciting and have stood the test of all time very well with the latter featuring some first rate guitar/keyboard work which gives the song a very 80's british metal feel. For all Tid has been around since 1995, but it's still worth checking it out.

Dimmu Borgir stamp their own style in Accepts 'Metal Heart'.
The two new songs 'Moonchild Domain' and 'Chaos Without Prophecy' are teasers for things to come and show that quality black metal like we have here is fast developing a timeless quality that we all new it was capable off. If this is anything to go by then 1999 will be a special year for Dimmu Borgir.

The new album from Dimmu Borgir entitled 'Spiritual Balck Dimensions ' is schedued for release in early 1999.

Released on Nuclear Blast, Hauptstrasse 109. 73 072, Donzdorf. Germany
Website : http://www.nuclearblast.de
Email: death@nuclearblast.de

Spiritual Black Dimensions
DIMMU BORGIR



The tracks are :
1. Reptile
2. Behind The Curtains Of Night-Phantasmagoria
3. Dreamside Dominions
4. United In Unhallowed Grace
5. The Promised Future Aeons
6. The Blazing Monoliths Of Defiance
7. The insight And The Catharsis
8. Grotesque Conceiled (Within measureless magic)
9. Arcane Lifeforce Mysteria

After the phenomenal success enjoyed by our very own hadliegh horrors The Cradle Of Filth during 1998, a lot of people including me pondered the question would 1999 finally see black metal rise from the underground and finally gain the commercial success this genre rightly deserves.

Already so far this year, we have witnessed some stunning albums from Ebonylake and Peccatum, but to be frank as good as they are, both are unlikely to appeal to those not already with blackened hearts. So apart from Dani and Co., who can the Black Metal world tour to deliver an album that will appeal to masses, but in the same breath, won't have the dark metal underworld screaming sell-out.

Well, after last years highly acclaimed mini album 'Godless Savage Garden', all eyes are on Norway's Dimmu Borgir to deliver and their new album 'Spiritual Black Dimensions' has to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year.

'Spiritual Black Dimensions' is a collection of 9 sons wonderfully layered songs simply oozing with atmosphere that although still very firmly still in the tradition of black metal, has enough going for them to appeal to every metal fan who appreciates quality music. To be honest the music is heavier than ever, but like Dani, Shagrath's vocals are far more accessible, making the album easy to get into and although there are keyboards a plenty (well, it wouldn't be a true black metal album without them, would it?) this time it's the twin guitars of Astennu and Silenoz that do the talking, cutting into each track like a razor in your face on a cold morning, which gives the album real metal feel.

Peter Tagtgren's production is simply outstanding and the superb atmosphere of guest vocalist Simen Hastnaes adds yet more depth to the intensely passionate and beautifully constructed songs giving the album a real touch of class!!!

'Spiritual Black Dimensions' contains some fine moments, 'Behind The Curtains Of Night-Phantasmagoria', 'Grotesque Conceiled (Within measureless magic)' and 'The Promised Future Aeons' are all anthems, just waiting to happen, while the frantic fretwork of the closing number 'Arcane Lifeforce Mysteria' leaves you totally breathless. I suppose if I was to have one gripe about the album it would have to be the total under usage of Simen Hastnaes vocals, which apart from the opening number 'Reptile' are kept mainly in the background.

'Spiritual Black Dimensions' simply overflows with good music and Dimmu Borgir have delivered on all points making an album that's true to it's genre. But with enough metal to appeal to a much wider audience.
Highly Recommended!!!

Released on Nuclear Blast, Hauptstrasse 109. 73 072, Donzdorf. Germany
Website : http://www.nuclearblast.de
Email: death@nuclearblast.de

Buy The CD

Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia

Dimmu Borgir

 

Norwegian black metallers Dimmu Borgir finally release their much anticipated follow up to 1999's Spiritual Black Dimensions, to be honest Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia (or PEM as it will be referred to in this review for all our sakes), has to be one of the most anticipated records of the year and hopefully not only give Dimmu Borgir the long overdue commercial success they deserve, but will also open up the world of black metal to a whole new audience.

PEM is quite simply a masterpiece faster, heavier and more extreme than anything the band has released so far, making it in some respects their most commercial release to date.

Brave, bold and very ambitious. In true black metal style nothing about PEM is simple, the songs are long and complex but the attention to detail is quite superb.

Take the opening number "Intro" (God how long did it take you to think that one up guys), a classical number as you would expect but not your usual 30 second affair oh no, Intro is a fully blown classical orchestration that really sets the scene for what is to follow and what follows is quite simply arse kicking.

"Blessings Upon the Throne of Tyranny" starts off in true black metal style with insane drumming, lightening guitar riffs and gutrall vocals. But not far in Dimmu throw in great keyboard washes, time changes, vocal effects and enough twists to make your brain explode. Its very, very heavy but also very compelling. Those opening two tracks should be enough to convince you just how good PEM really is, but if you are still undecided try these, "Kings of the Carnival Creation" features some superb grinding riffs and great keyboards.

"Hybrid Stigmata", "Puritania" and "Symporium" all feature intense riffs, bellowing vocals and feral noise and if you were taken in by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra performance on the opening track, well they return again on "The Maelstrom Mefisto" and of course the instrumental track "Perfection or Vanity" and unlike Metallica's attempt to blend classical and rock together, this works perfectly, giving superb atmosphere to the whole of the recording.

Oh and what about ex COF Sticksman, Nick Barker well his drumming is superb throughout, but we knew it was going to be didn't we.

PEM is quite simply outstanding and like all good music gets better and better each time you listen, quite simply one of the first must have cd's of 2001 recommended.

Released on Nuclear Blast, Hauptstrasse 109. 73 072, Donzdorf. Germany
Website : http://www.nuclearblast.de
Email: death@nuclearblast.de

Review by Andy Wagstaff

Buy The CD