Dimmu Borgir was originally founded as a black metal band 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). This album featured musical contributions by members of Dødheimsgard and Ved Buens Ende. Interestingly enough, Shagrath played drums with Tjodalv on guitar and Erkekjetter (translating "arch heretic") Silenoz covering vocals. This lineup changed before the release of Stormblåst (translates to "Storm Blown") on Cacophonous Records in 1996. Stormblåst received high praise from many melodic black metal fans, and is often regarded as 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). That period was also marked by the leave of their bassist Brynjard Tristan and the arrival of Nagash. Stian Aarstad returned for the recording of Enthrone Darkness Triumphant (1997). On the tour to support the album 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. It was recorded in the Abyss Studios, owned by Hypocrisy's mainman Peter Tägtgren.
After the tour for Enthrone Darkness Triumphant the band recruited new members Mustis on keyboards and Astennu on second guitar so that Shagrath could concentrate on vocals.
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.
Despite regular video play on MTV2 and Fuse TV that their follow-up album would receive, the band has stated that they are not "commercially-oriented," and instead, they simply wish to spread their message 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.
Silenoz has revealed on the Dimmu Borgir website that their new album, In Sorte Diaboli, is mixed and ready for mastering. According to a recent myspace bulletin posted by the official Dimmu Borgir myspace crew, the album will be released April 24, 2007. The album artwork was recently released on February 14, 2007 on a promotional webpage for the album [1].
Dimmu Borgir will be playing the 2007 Download Festival on Friday 8.
Discography:
Studio Albums:
For All Tid - (1994)
Stormblåst - (1996)
Enthrone Darkness Triumphant - (1997)
Spiritual Black Dimensions - (1999)
Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia - (2001)
Death Cult Armageddon - (2003)
Stormblåst MMV - (2005)
In Sorte Diaboli - (2007)
EPs:
Inn I Evighetens Mørke - (1994)
Devil's Path - (1996)
Godless Savage Garden - (1998)
live in Torment - (2001)
Vredesbyrd - (2004)
Live and other releases:
Live & plugged vol.2 [Live VHS w/ Dissection] - (1997)
World Misanthropy [DVD/VHS] - (2002)
World Misanthropy [Live] - (2002)
Live at Lowlands 2408 [Live bootleg] - (2002)
Live at Paradiso 02.10.2003 [Live bootleg] - (2003)
Sons of Satan Gather for Attack [Compilation w/ Old Man's Child] - (1999) (Reis. 2004)
Ozzfest 2004 Live in San Antonio [Bonus disc with Stormblast 2005 issue]
Spiritual Darkness - Alive in Europe [bootleg]
Current members:
* Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) – Vocals (1993–)
* Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) – Guitar (1993–)
* Mustis (Øyvind Mustaparta) – Keyboard (1998–)
* ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs) – Bass Guitar, Clean Vocals (1999–)
* Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen) – Lead Guitar (2000–)
* Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) – Session Drums (2005-)
Former members:
* Stian Aarstad – Keyboard (1993–1997)
* Tjodalv (Kenneth Åkesson) – Drums (1993–1999)
* Brynjard Tristan – Bass (1994–1996)
* Nagash (Stian Arnesen) – Bass (1996–1999)
* Kimberly Goss - Keyboard (1997-1998)
* Astennu (Jamie Stinson) – Guitar (1997–1999)
* Aggressor (Carl-Michael Eide) – Drums (Live) (1997)
* Nicholas Barker – Drums (1999–2004)
* Reno Kiilerich – Drums (Live) (2004)
* Tony Laureano – Drums (Live) (2004–2005)
Source: wikipedia.org
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). That period was also marked by the leave of their bassist Brynjard Tristan and the arrival of Nagash. Stian Aarstad returned for the recording of Enthrone Darkness Triumphant (1997). On the tour to support the album 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. It was recorded in the Abyss Studios, owned by Hypocrisy's mainman Peter Tägtgren.
After the tour for Enthrone Darkness Triumphant the band recruited new members Mustis on keyboards and Astennu on second guitar so that Shagrath could concentrate on vocals.
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.
Despite regular video play on MTV2 and Fuse TV that their follow-up album would receive, the band has stated that they are not "commercially-oriented," and instead, they simply wish to spread their message 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.
Silenoz has revealed on the Dimmu Borgir website that their new album, In Sorte Diaboli, is mixed and ready for mastering. According to a recent myspace bulletin posted by the official Dimmu Borgir myspace crew, the album will be released April 24, 2007. The album artwork was recently released on February 14, 2007 on a promotional webpage for the album [1].
Dimmu Borgir will be playing the 2007 Download Festival on Friday 8.
Discography:
Studio Albums:
For All Tid - (1994)
Stormblåst - (1996)
Enthrone Darkness Triumphant - (1997)
Spiritual Black Dimensions - (1999)
Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia - (2001)
Death Cult Armageddon - (2003)
Stormblåst MMV - (2005)
In Sorte Diaboli - (2007)
EPs:
Inn I Evighetens Mørke - (1994)
Devil's Path - (1996)
Godless Savage Garden - (1998)
live in Torment - (2001)
Vredesbyrd - (2004)
Live and other releases:
Live & plugged vol.2 [Live VHS w/ Dissection] - (1997)
World Misanthropy [DVD/VHS] - (2002)
World Misanthropy [Live] - (2002)
Live at Lowlands 2408 [Live bootleg] - (2002)
Live at Paradiso 02.10.2003 [Live bootleg] - (2003)
Sons of Satan Gather for Attack [Compilation w/ Old Man's Child] - (1999) (Reis. 2004)
Ozzfest 2004 Live in San Antonio [Bonus disc with Stormblast 2005 issue]
Spiritual Darkness - Alive in Europe [bootleg]
Current members:
* Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) – Vocals (1993–)
* Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) – Guitar (1993–)
* Mustis (Øyvind Mustaparta) – Keyboard (1998–)
* ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs) – Bass Guitar, Clean Vocals (1999–)
* Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen) – Lead Guitar (2000–)
* Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) – Session Drums (2005-)
Former members:
* Stian Aarstad – Keyboard (1993–1997)
* Tjodalv (Kenneth Åkesson) – Drums (1993–1999)
* Brynjard Tristan – Bass (1994–1996)
* Nagash (Stian Arnesen) – Bass (1996–1999)
* Kimberly Goss - Keyboard (1997-1998)
* Astennu (Jamie Stinson) – Guitar (1997–1999)
* Aggressor (Carl-Michael Eide) – Drums (Live) (1997)
* Nicholas Barker – Drums (1999–2004)
* Reno Kiilerich – Drums (Live) (2004)
* Tony Laureano – Drums (Live) (2004–2005)
Source: wikipedia.org
