Dimmu Borgir: Anniversary Tour and Studio Work Signal Active Chapter in 2025

As previously reported, Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir released the compilation album ‘Inspiratio Profanus’ on December 8, 2023, via Nuclear Blast Records. The release brings together their cover interpretations of tracks by artists including Venom, Bathory, G.G.F.H., Celtic Frost, Twisted Sister, Deep Purple, and Accept, alongside an original composition of the same name. Issued in conjunction with the band’s 30th anniversary, the album provides a retrospective of the musical sources that have informed their sound over the past three decades.

To mark their 30th anniversary, Dimmu Borgir announced The Chosen Legacy Tour 2025—a European summer itinerary that includes performances at major festivals such as Tons of Rock in Oslo, Wacken Open Air in Germany, Sylak Open Air in France, Brutal Assault in the Czech Republic, Alcatraz in Belgium, Summer Breeze in Germany, Motocultor in France, and Rock The Lakes in Switzerland. The tour also features a standalone headline performance at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Netherlands, scheduled for August 6, 2025.

Early Years and Artistic Progression

Dimmu Borgir, formed in 1993 in Jessheim, Norway, by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv, emerged as a significant force in the black metal scene. The band’s name is derived from “Dimmuborgir,” a volcanic formation in Iceland, meaning “dark cities” or “dark fortresses” in Icelandic and Old Norse. Their early work, including the debut album ‘For all tid’ (1995) and its successor ‘Stormblåst’ (1996), presented a melodic black metal style with lyrics in Norwegian. These albums established their presence in the metal community.

In 1997, Dimmu Borgir released ‘Enthrone Darkness Triumphant,’ their first album in English and their debut with Nuclear Blast Records. This release marked a shift towards a more symphonic black metal sound, incorporating orchestral elements that became a hallmark of their style. Subsequent albums, such as ‘Spiritual Black Dimensions’ (1999), ‘Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia’ (2001), and ‘Death Cult Armageddon’ (2003), continued this evolution, blending aggressive metal with intricate symphonic arrangements.

The band’s lineup has undergone several changes over the years. As of May 2025, the official members are Shagrath (lead vocals) and Silenoz (rhythm guitar), both founding members. They are supported by long-standing session and touring musicians: Dariusz “Daray” Brzozowski on drums since 2008, Geir “Gerlioz” Bratland on keyboards since 2010, and Victor Brandt on bass since 2018. This lineup has provided stability in their live performances and studio recordings.

In August 2024, guitarist Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen) announced his departure from Dimmu Borgir after nearly 25 years with the band. His final performance occurred at Dynamo Metal Fest in Eindhoven, Netherlands, on August 17, 2024. Galder cited his intention to focus on his other musical project, Old Man’s Child, as the primary reason for his exit.

Following Galder’s departure, Dimmu Borgir entered the studio in December 2024 to begin recording their tenth studio album. This project marks their first full-length release since 2018’s ‘Eonian’ and the first without Galder’s involvement since his joining in 2000. The band has not yet announced a release date for the upcoming album.

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‘Inspiratio Profanus’: Compilation Album Details

Dimmu Borgir released their compilation album ‘Inspiratio Profanus’ assembling the band’s cover versions of tracks by influential artists such as Venom, Bathory, and Deep Purple, The compilation draws from sessions spanning different periods of the band’s history, presenting reinterpretations that mirror the aesthetic directions explored throughout their catalogue.. The release coincides with the band’s 30th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in their career.

The compilation includes renditions of tracks by Venom, Bathory, G.G.F.H., Celtic Frost, Twisted Sister, Deep Purple, and Accept, as well as an original composition titled ‘Inspiratio Profanus.’ These covers span various eras of Dimmu Borgir’s history, reflecting the band’s evolution and the diverse influences that have informed their music. The album’s release provides fans with a comprehensive collection of the band’s interpretations of songs that have played a role in shaping their artistic direction.

Critical reception of ‘Inspiratio Profanus’ has been generally positive. Reviewers have noted the band’s energetic interpretations of classic tracks, with particular praise for their versions of ‘Black Metal’ by Venom and ‘Perfect Strangers’ by Deep Purple. The album has been described as a fitting tribute to the band’s influences, offering a glimpse into the musical inspirations that have contributed to Dimmu Borgir’s distinctive sound.

Track Selection and Original Artists

‘Inspiratio Profanus’ comprises eight cover tracks, each reflecting Dimmu Borgir’s engagement with foundational influences across various metal subgenres. The album opens with ‘Black Metal,’ originally by Venom, a band often credited with coining the term that defines the genre. Dimmu Borgir’s rendition maintains the raw energy of the original while incorporating their signature symphonic elements. ‘Satan My Master,’ a lesser-known track by Bathory, follows, showcasing the band’s appreciation for the pioneers of black metal. Their interpretation preserves the song’s primal intensity, aligning with Bathory’s early aesthetic.

The third track, ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape,’ originally by industrial act G.G.F.H., introduces a stark contrast with its abrasive themes and electronic textures. Dimmu Borgir’s version amplifies the song’s unsettling atmosphere, integrating distorted vocals and layered instrumentation. ‘Nocturnal Fear’ by Celtic Frost appears twice on the album: first in a rendition faithful to the original’s aggressive riffing, and later as a ‘Celtically Processed’ version, which reimagines the track with atmospheric enhancements, highlighting the band’s experimental approach.

‘Burn in Hell,’ a cover of Twisted Sister’s track, demonstrates Dimmu Borgir’s ability to adapt glam metal into their darker stylistic framework. Their version infuses the song with a heavier, more ominous tone, diverging from the original’s rebellious flair. ‘Perfect Strangers,’ originally by Deep Purple, is rendered with a blend of clean and harsh vocals, juxtaposing the classic rock foundation with black metal elements. The album concludes with ‘Metal Heart’ by Accept, where Dimmu Borgir accentuates the song’s melodic aspects while embedding their characteristic orchestral layers.

Each track on ‘Inspiratio Profanus’ was recorded during different sessions throughout Dimmu Borgir’s career, with some previously released as bonus material or on special editions. The compilation brings these disparate recordings together, offering a cohesive collection that highlights the band’s engagement with their musical roots. The selection of songs spans various eras and styles, reflecting the diverse influences that have shaped Dimmu Borgir’s evolution within the metal genre.

Production and Artistic Contributors

The production of ‘Inspiratio Profanus’ involved a collaboration between Dimmu Borgir and several notable contributors. The remastering process was handled by George Tanderø at his mastering studio in Oslo, Norway. Tanderø’s involvement ensured a cohesive sound across the compilation, unifying tracks that were originally recorded during different periods of the band’s career. His expertise in mastering provided a polished and consistent audio quality throughout the album.

The album’s artwork was designed by Kontamination Design, a visual artist known for creating imagery that aligns with the aesthetic of extreme metal genres. The cover art for ‘Inspiratio Profanus’ features a monochromatic illustration that complements the album’s themes and the band’s visual identity. This collaboration contributed to the album’s presentation, resonating with the band’s established image.

The recording of the tracks on ‘Inspiratio Profanus’ involved various members of Dimmu Borgir, including both current and former contributors. The personnel featured on the album includes Shagrath on vocals, Silenoz on rhythm guitar, Galder on lead guitar, ICS Vortex on bass guitar, Mustis on synthesizer, and Hellhammer on drums. The involvement of these musicians across different tracks reflects the band’s evolving lineup over the years and provides a retrospective of their collaborative efforts.

Upcoming Studio Album

In December 2024, Dimmu Borgir entered Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden, to commence recording their tenth studio album. The sessions are being overseen by longtime collaborator and producer Fredrik Nordström, known for his work with various metal acts. This project represents the band’s first full-length release since 2018’s ‘Eonian’ and the first without guitarist Galder, who departed in August 2024 to focus on his project, Old Man’s Child.

Guitarist Silenoz discussed the band’s approach to the new material in a March 2024 interview, emphasizing their commitment to quality over speed. He noted that the band has been working on new compositions intermittently, including during periods of downtime such as the pandemic. Silenoz highlighted the band’s desire to evolve their sound organically, without adhering strictly to traditional black metal conventions.

The current lineup for the recording includes founding members Shagrath (vocals) and Silenoz (guitar), supported by session musicians Dariusz “Daray” Brzozowski on drums, Geir “Gerlioz” Bratland on keyboards, and Victor Brandt on bass. As of June 2025, no official release date or title for the upcoming album has been announced.

The Chosen Legacy Tour 2025

Announced in early 2025, Dimmu Borgir’s The Chosen Legacy Tour commemorates the band’s three-decade presence in the global metal scene. Structured as a summer itinerary across Europe, the tour foregrounds appearances at several of the continent’s most influential metal festivals—events known not only for their scale and curatorial legacy, but for shaping the trajectories of major extreme metal acts. While the band’s studio catalogue continues to progress, this live chapter functions as a public affirmation of their sustained relevance across multiple generations of listeners and performers.

Among the tour’s key stops is Tons of Rock in Oslo, Norway, scheduled for late June. Since its inception in 2014, the festival has grown into the country’s premier metal and hard rock event, frequently hosted at prominent historic or urban venues such as Ekeberg and the grounds of Eidsvoll. For a Norwegian act like Dimmu Borgir, returning to a stage of such national significance reinforces their cultural footing within the region that birthed black metal’s second wave.

Wacken Open Air, slated for early August in northern Germany, remains one of the most iconic destinations for metal globally. Founded in 1990, Wacken is often described as a rite of passage for both fans and performers, drawing crowds that exceed 75,000 attendees annually. The festival’s expansive infrastructure and genre-spanning lineups provide legacy acts such as Dimmu Borgir an opportunity to reach audiences beyond their core fanbase, often resulting in renewed international visibility and press coverage.

Sylak Open Air, held in Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans, France, has a reputation for its curation of underground and crossover metal bands. Though more modest in size, Sylak maintains strong grassroots support and often includes acts that bridge black, grindcore, and doom subgenres. A performance here places Dimmu Borgir in direct dialogue with France’s fervent underground scene, which remains influential in shaping European trends in extreme music.

Brutal Assault, hosted at the historic Josefov Fortress in the Czech Republic, blends a unique setting with one of the continent’s most ambitious rosters of extreme, experimental, and avant-garde metal. Its commitment to genre diversity and architectural immersion aligns with Dimmu Borgir’s theatrical aesthetic. The fortress stage, surrounded by eighteenth-century stone walls, enhances the visual and sonic experience—often cited by artists as one of the most atmospheric venues in the European festival circuit.

In Belgium, Alcatraz Festival has become a key summer fixture, gaining international attention for its structured three-stage format and increasingly eclectic lineups. Known for balancing traditional metal acts with modern black, death, and industrial artists, Alcatraz serves as a mid-sized but high-impact platform where bands often test new material or debut refined stage designs.

Summer Breeze Open Air, one of Germany’s largest independently operated festivals, consistently draws genre-defining headliners. Originating in 1997 and held in Dinkelsbühl, the event has long served as a barometer for popularity within metal’s many subgenres. For Dimmu Borgir, Summer Breeze represents a sustained relationship with German-speaking audiences—a demographic that has historically supported the band through physical sales, long-format media, and large-scale live events.

The tour also includes Motocultor Festival in France, known for its commitment to underground and fringe metal acts. Since launching in 2007, Motocultor has built a reputation as one of Western Europe’s more radical festivals, often hosting first-time French appearances for international bands. A presence here signals Dimmu Borgir’s continued engagement with non-mainstream segments of the metal community.

Finally, Rock The Lakes, held in Vallamand, Switzerland, closes out the tour itinerary. Though one of the newer additions to the festival landscape, its lakeside setting and strong production values have attracted a growing number of established artists. With a focus on black, death, and power metal, Rock The Lakes provides a setting where bands interact more directly with fans, often in scenic or intimate environments distinct from the larger festivals.

In addition to these festival appearances, Dimmu Borgir has scheduled a standalone headline performance at 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands, on August 6, 2025. The venue, long associated with hosting genre-specific tours and label showcases, is one of the Netherlands’ most reputable stages for metal. This show is the only non-festival date announced and is expected to feature a longer, more curated setlist than those performed during the multi-band festivals.

Taken together, The Chosen Legacy Tour 2025 positions Dimmu Borgir within a range of live settings that collectively span mass-market metal, underground credibility, and geographically diverse audiences. The tour’s structure reflects the band’s long-standing ability to navigate both the commercial and artistic realms of extreme music with continued precision and relevance.

Conclusion

Released in December 2023, ‘Inspiratio Profanus’ provides a retrospective lens on the artistic catalogue Dimmu Borgir has constructed since the early 1990s. With festival stages booked and studio work ongoing, the band remains active in shaping the evolving terrain of black metal. Readers who have followed their progression are encouraged to reflect on how this compilation and upcoming work situate within that broader context.

As the group resumes public engagements across festival stages this summer, readers familiar with Dimmu Borgir’s earlier catalogue or recent performances are invited to contribute perspectives on how the new material resonates within the band’s evolving discography.