Dimmu Borgir

Dimmu Borgir (pron-en ?d?mu? 'b?rg?r in English) is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1993. Dimmu borgir means "dark cities" or "dark fortresses" in Icelandic and Old Norse. The name is derived from a volcanic formation in Iceland, Dimmuborgir. The band has been through numerous line-up changes over the years, with guitarist Silenoz and Vocalist Shagrath being the only founding members left.

Biography

For all tid and Stormblåst

Dimmu Borgir started as a satanic, melodic black metal band in 1993. Formed by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv, the band released an EP in 1994 entitled Inn i evighetens mørke ("Into the Darkness of Eternity" in English). This short EP sold out within weeks, and the band followed up with the 1994 full length album For all tid ('For all Time' in English) Citation needed

Enthrone Darkness Triumphant

After Stormblåst, Keyboardist Stian Aarstad left the band due to his obligation to serve in the Norwegian army, thus being unable to participate in the 1996 recording of ''Devil's Path''. That period was also marked by the departure of bassist Brynjard Tristan and the arrival of Nagash. Stian Aarstad returned for the recording of 1997's Enthrone Darkness Triumphant. While on tour to support the album, he had trouble attending rehearsals and being on tour, and was subsequently firedCitation needed

Spiritual Black Dimensions and Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia

After the tour for Enthrone Darkness Triumphant, the band recruited new members Mustis on keyboards and Astennu on lead guitar

. Dimmu Borgir's following full-length albums Spiritual Black Dimensions in 1999 and 2001's Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, both met critical acclaim.Citation needed

Death Cult Armageddon

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,"Citation needed
In 2005, the band did a complete re-recording of the Stormblåst album, featuring Hellhammer of Mayhem fame as the session drummer. The album also featured a DVD with a live performance from the 2004 Ozzfest tour.

In Sorte Diaboli

Dimmu Borgir's newest album, In Sorte Diaboli, was released April 24, 2007. A special edition version was released in a boxed case with a DVD, backward-printed lyrics, and a mirror. The album artwork was released on February 14, 2007 on a promotional webpage for the album. This album features the drumming of Hellhammer of Mayhem. Blomberg left the band in mid tour in 2007 because of a neck injury that resulted in limited movement of his right arm. With the release of this album, Dimmu Borgir became the first black metal band with a number one album in their native country.

Departure of ICS Vortex and Mustis, upcoming album

In 2009, members ICS Vortex and Mustis independently announced their departure from Dimmu Borgir. Mustis released a statement claiming his disfavor with the band, stating that he was not properly credited for his writing contributions to the band's music, mentioning possibly taking legal action. Dimmu Borgir soon after confirmed the pair's dismissals from the band, making their own statement on their official webpage, claiming the two were fired for lack of a work ethic, poor stage performance, greed, and among other things, personal differences. www.dimmu-borgir.com/index.php?action=fullnews&showcomments=1&id=26

In the same statement, Shagrath, Silenoz, and Galder wrote "Funny then, how the new album is halfway finished written already by the rest of us without any of these guys' input, still having all those elements we're known for." No reference is made to a title but in the January edition of Decibel Magazine there is an ad for Nuclear Blast stating a Dimmu Borgir record out in 2010. No specific date was given.

Discography

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)

Band members

By year

By album

Current line-up

Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) – lead vocals(1995–present), synthesizers (1996), guitars (1995–1997, 2005), drums, percussion (1993–1995), bass (2005), keyboards (2009–present)
Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) – rhythm guitars (1993–present), lead vocals (1993–1995)
Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen) – lead guitars (2000–present)

Former members

Brynjard Tristan (Ivar Tristan Lundsten) – bass (1993–1996)
Stian Aarstad – keyboards (1993–1997)
Nagash (Stian Arnesen) – bass guitar, backing vocals (1996–1999)
Tjodalv (Ian Kenneth Åkesson) – drums, percussion (1995–1999), guitars (1993–1995)
Astennu (Jamie Stinson) – lead guitars (1997–2000)
Nicholas Barker – drums, percussion (1999–2004)
Archon – lead guitars (2000)
Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) – drums, percussion (2005–2007)
ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs) – vocals (1998–2009), bass (1999–2009)DIMMU BORGIR Splits With Keyboardist MUSTIS, Bassist/Vocalist VORTEX - Aug. 30, 2009
Mustis (Øyvind Mustaparta) – keyboards, synthesizers (1998–2009)

Live members

Jens Petter – guitars (1996–1997)
Aggressor (Carl-Michael Eide) – drums, percussion (1997)
Kimberly Goss – keyboards (1997–1998)
Reno Killerich (from Panzerchrist) – drums, percussion (2003–2004) the Death Cult Armageddon Tour
Tony Laureano – drums, percussion (2004–2005, 2007–2008)
Cyrus (from Susperia) – guitars (2008) of the Black Tour
Daray (Dariusz Brzozowski) – drums, percussion (2008–2009, live only)Lineup 2008

Signed Music Artists