Dimmu Borgir, a legendary Norwegian symphonic black metal band, will headline the Beyond the Gates Festival’s Grieghallen Messe MMXXIII event, marking their only live performance in 2023. This return to Bergen, after a hiatus of over a decade, signifies the band’s strong connection to their roots and fan base.
Scheduled for August 2nd to 5th, 2023, the Beyond the Gates Festival stands as a distinguished gathering in the heavy metal music sphere. Announcements on the festival’s social media platforms have confirmed the attendance of several eminent bands, such as Dimmu Borgir, Gorgoroth, Marduk, Pentagram, Midnight, Eternal Champion, Negative Plane, and Sijjin. The event promises a wide range of activities, encompassing special events, discussions, tours, exhibitions, fares, and the return of the Beyond the Ink tattoo convention.
As a seminal force in the realm of Norwegian black metal, Dimmu Borgir has etched an indelible imprint on the annals of heavy metal history. Since its genesis in 1993, the ensemble has metamorphosed from a nascent underground black metal act to an eminent symphonic black metal titan with a fervent following.
Dimmu Borgir materialized in 1993 under the aegis of the consummate vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Stian Tomt Thoresen, ubiquitously known as Shagrath, and guitarist Sven Atle Kopperud, alternatively referred to as Silenoz. Their discography spans over three decades and charts their artistic evolution from an underground act to one of the genre’s most celebrated ensembles.
Accompanied by guitarist Kenneth Åkesson (Tjodalv) and keyboardist Stian Aarstad, the quartet unveiled their debut opus, ‘For All Tid,’ released on November 25th, 1995, by No Colours Records. The album exemplified a raw, atmospheric black metal timbre infused with folkloric elements, thus laying the groundwork for Dimmu Borgir’s forthcoming musical odyssey.
During this period, the Norwegian black metal scene was gaining notoriety, both for its musical intensity and infamous criminal acts, such as church burnings and murders, perpetrated by individuals affiliated with the genre. Dimmu Borgir distanced themselves from these events, focusing on their artistry and musical ambitions.
With the incorporation of bassist Nagash, Dimmu Borgir disseminated their sophomore album, ‘Stormblåst,’ on February 25th, 1996, by Cacophonous Records. This offering deviated from their primordial sound, incorporating symphonic components like keyboards and orchestral arrangements, which would eventually become the hallmark of the band’s sonic identity. The album, featuring lyrics solely in Norwegian, demonstrated the ensemble’ burgeoning ambition and musical dexterity.
Released on May 30th, 1997, by Nuclear Blast Records, ‘Enthrone Darkness Triumphant’ was their first foray into English lyrics, thus widening their international appeal. The record showcased a more cultivated, majestic tonality, heavily reliant on synthesizers and intricate orchestration. Concurrently, the band’s lineup underwent a significant metamorphosis: Nicholas Barker supplanted Tjodalv on drums, while Astennu and Mustis joined the ranks as guitarist and keyboardist, respectively.
Dimmu Borgir’s transmutation continued apace with ‘Spiritual Black Dimensions’ released on March 2nd, 1999, by Nuclear Blast Records, which continued the band’s journey into the realm of symphonic black metal. Featuring a more experimental approach and increasingly elaborate compositions, the album received positive reviews from critics and further solidified Dimmu Borgir’s status within the genre.
‘Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia’ was released on March 20th, 2001, by Nuclear Blast Records. Much as ‘Spiritual Black Dimensions,’ both albums further solidified the ensemble’s symphonic aspirations. The latter opus marked their inaugural collaboration with the esteemed Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, propelling their sound to uncharted echelons.
On September 9th, 2003, Dimmu Borgir disseminated ‘Death Cult Armageddon’ through Nuclear Blast Records, an album that is arguably their most enterprising and prosperous album to date. Bolstered by the support of the venerable Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the album’s grandiose tonality garnered widespread critical acclaim, thereby cementing Dimmu Borgir’s status as luminaries within the symphonic black metal subgenre.
Undeterred by their burgeoning success, Dimmu Borgir unveiled ‘In Sorte Diaboli’ on April 24th, 2007, by Nuclear Blast Records. This concept album, centered around a priest’s descent from grace and subsequent apostasy, debuted at the apex of the Norwegian charts, an unparalleled achievement for a black metal ensemble, the album reinforced the band’s popularity and continued to garner positive reviews for its grandiose sound and ambitious narrative.
During this period, Dimmu Borgir took part in several high-profile performances, including a concert at the Wacken Open Air festival in 2007, where they were accompanied by a live orchestra and choir. These performances solidified their reputation for delivering visually and sonically captivating live shows.
‘Abrahadabra’ was released on September 22nd, 2010, by Nuclear Blast Records, and saw the band incorporating choral arrangements into their symphonic black metal style. The album maintained the band’s tradition of pushing boundaries and exploring new musical territory. While some critics praised the album’s expansive and majestic sound, others expressed concerns that it lacked the aggression of their previous works.
The title, inspired by Aleister Crowley’s occult philosophy, represents a new beginning, transformation, and creative rebirth. The album explores themes of self-discovery, chaos, and the constant search for meaning. The lyrics delve into the human condition, existentialism, and the power of one’s will.
With the release of ‘Abrahadabra,’ Dimmu Borgir experienced another significant lineup alteration, welcoming bassist and clean vocalist Gerlioz and drummer Daray. The album sustained the symphonic black metal style while incorporating choral arrangements, thereby expanding their musical horizon.
Following an eight-year intermission, on May 4th, 2018, and through Nuclear Blast Records, ‘Eonian’ marked Dimmu Borgir’s return. Delving into deeper philosophical and spiritual themes, while exploring humanity’s relationship with the divine and our place in the cosmos. The lyrics are steeped in mythology, religious symbolism, and existential philosophy, creating a sense of mystery and wonder. Tracks such as ‘Interdimensional Summit’ and ‘Council of Wolves and Snakes’ illustrate the band’s exploration of spirituality, with the former highlighting the quest for enlightenment and the latter examining the balance between good and evil.
‘Eonian’ is a sophisticated and ambitious album delving into deeper philosophical and spiritual themes. The album engendered mixed reviews, with some critics extolling its elaborate compositions while others lamented the absence of aggression and rawness.
Throughout their storied career, Dimmu Borgir has faced a litany of controversies and lineup fluctuations. Founding member and bassist Nagash vacated the ensemble in 1998, ceding his position to ICS Vortex. Internal strife also surfaced, culminating in the dismissal of Astennu and the ultimate departure of Mustis and ICS Vortex in 2009.
The ensemble has also faced opprobrium for “selling out” as their sound metamorphosed and acquired a more polished sheen, veering away from the raw, underground black metal roots. Detractors posited that this shift constituted a betrayal of the genre’s essence. However, Dimmu Borgir remained steadfast in their artistic vision, asserting that they would not be constrained by the expectations of black metal purists.
Despite the impediments and controversies, Dimmu Borgir remains an influential linchpin in the black metal genre. Their readiness to adapt and incorporate diverse elements into their music has inspired a multitude of bands to push the genre’s boundaries. Furthermore, their success in reaching a broader audience has helped legitimize black metal as a bona fide art form, demonstrating that even the most extreme and dark music can find a place in the mainstream.
Throughout their three-decade-long odyssey, Dimmu Borgir has traversed the tempestuous world of black metal with an unwavering conviction and insatiable ambition. From their humble beginnings as a raw, underground act to their ascent as one of the genre’s most respected and innovative ensembles, the chronicles of Dimmu Borgir stand as a testament to their tenacity and ingenuity.
In 2001, Dimmu Borgir released the groundbreaking album ‘Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia,’ which will be celebrated at the Beyond the Gates Festival with a remixed and remastered version of ‘Blessings Upon the Throne of Tyranny.’ This contemporary sonic experience, accompanied by a lyric video for the remixed and remastered track ‘The Maelstrom Mephisto,’ showcases the band’s commitment to innovation and evolution.
Gorgoroth, on the other hand, a black metal band also originating from Bergen, Norway, will make their debut at Beyond the Gates Festival this year. The band’s presence demonstrates the festival’s commitment to promoting local talent and fostering a sense of community within the metal scene.
Beyond the Gates Festival promises to be an extraordinary celebration of heavy metal music, culture, and community. With a lineup featuring influential bands such as Dimmu Borgir and Gorgoroth, alongside an array of engaging activities, the festival will undoubtedly provide a memorable and enriching experience for metal enthusiasts from around the world.
