Dimmu Borgir

Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian symphonic black metal group from Oslo, formed in 1993. Its name comes from Dimmuborgir, a volcanic formation in Iceland, and is understood as meaning “dark cities” or “dark castles/fortresses” in Icelandic, Faroese and Old Norse.

History

The group is founded by Silenoz and Tjodalv, with Shagrath, Brynjard Tristan and Stian Aarstad joining later. Shagrath and Silenoz remain the only original members in the band’s line-up.

The band releases the EP Inn i evighetens mørke in 1994, followed by the debut album For All Tid, which includes contributions from Vicotnik and Aldrahn. Their 1996 album Stormblåst is the last release on which all the lyrics are in Norwegian.

After Stormblåst, Aarstad leaves because of military obligations, and Brynjard Tristan is replaced by Nagash. The band records Enthrone Darkness Triumphant in 1997 with Nuclear Blast and Abyss Studios. Aarstad returns for the recording but does not tour, and Kimberly Goss replaces him on the 1997/1998 world tour. Dimmu Borgir tours with acts including In Flames and Dissection during this period.

After the tour, Mustis joins on keyboards and Astennu on lead guitar. Spiritual Black Dimensions in 1999 and Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia in 2001 receive critical acclaim. Nagash is then replaced by ICS Vortex, Tjodalv leaves to form Susperia and is replaced by Nick Barker, and Astennu is replaced by Galder.

Orchestral work and later releases

In 2003 the band records Death Cult Armageddon with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, and performs at Ozzfest in 2004. A re-recorded version of Stormblåst appears in 2005 with Hellhammer on drums, and includes a live DVD from the Ozzfest tour.

The seventh studio album, In Sorte Diaboli, follows in 2007 and becomes the first black metal album to reach number one in Norway. After its release, Mustis and ICS Vortex leave in 2009 over disputes about songwriting credits. The eighth studio album, Abrahadabra, arrives in 2010 and features orchestral arrangements by Gaute Storaas, with performances by the Kringkastingsorkestret and Schola Cantorum choir. Snowy Shaw briefly joins for the album and tour.

In 2011, Dimmu Borgir performs with a full symphony orchestra and choir in Oslo, and repeats a similar performance at Wacken Open Air in 2012. These live recordings are later released in 2017 as Forces of the Northern Night. Work on Eonian begins in 2013, and the album is eventually released in 2018. Victor Brandt joins as touring bassist.

The band begins pre-production on its tenth studio album in 2020 and announces the cover album Inspiratio Profanus in 2023. A reunion performance with former members Tjodalv, ICS Vortex and Mustis takes place in March 2024. Galder leaves the band in August 2024, and recording for Grand Serpent Rising is completed in 2025.

Members and style

Dimmu Borgir is associated with black metal, melodic black metal, metal and symphonic black metal. Members linked to the group include Tjodalv, Brynjard Tristan, Shagrath, Silenoz, Nagash, Astennu, Mustis, Nicholas Barker, ICS Vortex, Galder, Hellhammer and Snowy Shaw.

Studio albums

For All Tid (1995), Stormblåst (1996), Enthrone Darkness Triumphant (1997), Spiritual Black Dimensions (1999), Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia (2001), Death Cult Armageddon (2003), In Sorte Diaboli (2007), Abrahadabra (2010), Eonian (2018), Grand Serpent Rising (2026).