As the opening orchestration of In Sorte Diaboli blasts from the speakers, one might ponder if they’re listening to new music from a new Star Wars film (thank you Mustis), but then we’re quickly reminded of how potent Norway’s DIMMU BORGIR truly are when Shagrath shouts, “I am hatred, darkness, and despair” from the first track, The Serpentine Offering. I have been waiting for this album for quite some time and I have not been disappointed in the slightest. DB have not lightened their approach, have not changed their focus since touring Ozzfest, but have simply written a concept album of epic proportions true to their beliefs. What so many of their genre counterparts miss out on is quality production and while others might feel that it’s not “true black metal,” one must remember that we all have different opinions on this statement and respect that DB are a true black metal band.

What DIMMU BORGIR have accomplished this time around is an album with a clear focus in sounds, packaging, and songs. The songs are concise, to the point, and the album flows from start to finish. Drummer Hellhammer has brought his talented feet and hands to the game but does not overplay in this position. This is not to take away from his predecessor, but just stating that Hellhammer lays a solid foundation with enough percussive flurries to add enough yet doesn’t detract from the song. Case in point is The Conspiracy Unfolds where he uses time changes effectively to pull the song together. Also noted on ISD is the guitar work from Silenoz and Galder in tracks like The Invaluable Darkness and The Foreshadowing Furnace where they maintain their roots but develop a more varied approach to their chord progressions. We have also found a way to utilize the operatic voice of ICS Vortex (bass/clean vocals) in more songs this time around but once again, it does not stray outside the DB realm.

Symphonic Black Metal at its finest is what DIMMU BORGIR have given us and are the band to match in this genre. They have defined themselves yet again as a tight musical unit capable of pushing themselves with discipline to create a masterpiece. This is an album that is destined to be in many Top 10 lists at the end of 2007, and is currently my vote for #1.

Rate this review: (46 votes, average: 3.46 out of 5)
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This entry was posted on Saturday, May 5th, 2007 at 6:28 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Dead2u wrote:

I guess it depends on peronal taste but man, for me this is a shit dull weak assed CD, even by DB’s fairly hit & miss standards.

May 7th, 2007 at 11:03 pm

ASOmartin wrote:

i think it’s a pretty boring one as well. it feels lifeless.

May 12th, 2007 at 4:12 pm

DethOrgy wrote:

I personally think the album has its high points but I can see where the two people in front of me are coming from.. I was really hoping that Dimmu would get a bit more experimental.. In fact I would kill to hear them put out anything that could be classified Death/Progressive.. That would be a Dimmu album to end all.

July 11th, 2007 at 3:46 am

Riseoftheinsane wrote:

I LOVE Dimmu Borgir, but I must agree this album was less than what i expected, Iwas hoping for something a bit heavier. More Songs Like Puritania is what they need, with less clean vocals and more black metal.

August 27th, 2007 at 2:02 am

scumbag wrote:

lol, cause puritania has that much black metal in it, doesnt it. dick.

September 3rd, 2007 at 7:18 am

devil_badger@hotmail wrote:

OK so puritania is not black metal, there is no need to call him a dick…i love dimmu borgir and wouldnt class puritania as black metal in 100 years, but it is still a good and intresting song. In regards to In Sorte Diaboli, I love this album, and they have pulled out some suprises, such as the “circus” vibe on The Sacrilegious Scorn but in my opinion it adds to the album, doesnt take away anything from it whatsoever…

I think in general people need to give bands room to evolve and not yell “sell out” as soon as they change they change their sound slightly.

September 13th, 2007 at 7:25 pm

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