Dimmu Borgir ( 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.

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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) . This album featured musical contributions by members of Dødheimsgard and Ved Buens Ende. The initial lineup consisted of Shagrath playing drums with Tjodalv on guitar and Silenoz backing vocals, however this changed before the release of Stormblåst (translates to "Storm Blown") on Cacophonous Records in 1996. Stormblåst received high praise from many melodic black metal fans, and is often regarded as a highlight of the band's career. It is also the last album which features all lyrics written and sung in Norwegian.

Enthrone Darkness Triumphant

After Stormblåst , Dimmu Borgir's lineup took a sharp turn. 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 their 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 fired. Enthrone Darkness Triumphant was a huge success for the band, and was their first release signed to Nuclear Blast, a well-known German record label. The album was recorded in the Abyss Studios, owned by Hypocrisy's frontman Peter Tägtgren.

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.. However, a new line-up change occurred between the two albums; Nagash quit and was replaced by new bassist/clean singer ICS Vortex, as well as Tjodalv leaving (due to his family commitments, and to form the subsequent band Susperia), only to be replaced with Nicholas Barker, fresh out of Cradle of Filth. Astennu was fired from his guitar duties as well due to incompatibility (reportedly, he was speaking ill of the band behind their backs and wanted them to be a Morbid Angel cover band)..Sections of the album were recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra to enhance the classical arrangements which have always augmented the band's style. However, in multiple interviews Shagrath mentions the many troubles and shortcomings that came along with using the orchestra from Prague. Two full weeks of studio work were spent cleaning up the mistakes.

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," and instead, they 'simply wish to spread their message to more people'. In 2003, Dimmu Borgir used their major record label financial leverage to record an album titled Death Cult Armageddon . On this album the band decided to not use a live orchestra instead leaving the duty mostly to the band's keyboardist, Mustis, in the studio. In 2004, Dimmu Borgir performed on the mainstage at Ozzfest.

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, who had to leave the band in mid tour in 2007 because of a neck injury, resulting 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. ^[1]

In 2008, rumours circulated that Dimmu Borgir were writing material for a next studio album. However, Shagrath dissmissed the reports in an interview with Terrorizer magazine stating "Its all bullshit man. We're not doing a new album. The thing is, we've all been playing with Dimmu Borgir for over a decade now and we just want to do other things for the moment. Right now, I'm preparing for the third Chrome Division album, Galder, Silenoz and Hellhammer are recording their own stuff and Mustis is taking a long break in Dubai with his family. ^{[2] [3]}

Partition with ICS Vortex & Mustis

In 2009, group members ICS Vortex and Mustis announced their exit from the band. The reasons of the split are rumoured to be due to "years of arguing" however Dimmu Borgir are due to make another announcement on the matter soon. ^[4] Keyboard player Mustis released the following statement,

Attention to all the worldwide fans of my work with Dimmu Borgir: I feel that I must begin my note to you all by saying that your dedication and interest in my musical work with Dimmu Borgir has been greatly appreciated by me for many, many years and you all have motivated me to continue to push the creative envelope farther each and every day.

“You might be able to see where this note is heading and if you are thinking correctly you will know that I am informing you all that I am no longer associated with the band and have left the ranks of Dimmu Borgir effective immediately.

“My departure was not entirely of my own accord and while I had felt this change was something imminent for my future, my time had been spent addressing the fact that many songs written by me had not been registered properly under my name in their credits. Without naming every single track, let us just say that a good majority of albums like ‘Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia’ and ‘In Sorte Diaobli’ would have been vastly different had I not composed and created as much as I actually did. Sadly, based on terrible gaps in the communication process and a failure to find logical rationale for why this had been done this way found me hitting wall after wall as opposed to finding a professional and reasonable solution to the problem. My inquiries and investigation into the issues which I wished to resolve and move on from would in the end find me being fired from the group. No discussions about it, just ‘goodbye’ (via text message).

“I can say to you that this was not a new dispute and is something that has been going on for some years and since these are my individual creative rights and work that are being denied of me, we shall now let the resolution come from the lawyers instead of dealing with more dishonesty and lies on a one-on-one personal level. On this I cannot say anymore because we will be walking into sticky legal territory.

“I mentioned earlier that my fans have motivated me to create great music again and again and they should know that I will continue to do this and shall return to them in the not-too-distant future with material that I hope will keep their metal needs fed.

“In advance, I will say that I thank you for notes and texts of support and ask that you please understand that there is not much more I can say on this, nor will be able to answer every single message that I get. I ask you to please keep tabs on my official MySpace page. I will do my best to post what I am legally allowed to share with you so you remain informed. ^[5]

The following was released by Dimmu Borgir on their website a short time after Mustis',

We regret to inform you that we have parted ways with both Vortex and Mustis. However, we do want to make it perfectly clear that the creative force in the band is highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever. With that being said, we’re currently working on our next album and are excited to start a new chapter in the legacy that is Dimmu Borgir. ^[6]

The day after, in reply to fan response, Dimmu Borgir stated on their website that the two members were dismissed because of personal and professional differences, citing in particular the dismissed members' caring more for personal profit than the well-being of the band,

Now, auctioning off your band's most recent album on eBay, only signed by yourself, can't be looked upon in any other ways as pure greed, not to mention mockery, towards the rest of the members of the band that you're still in, AND the fans. Attempting to sell a CD of the last album (which you can still get hold of in shops) with only your signature on it for the highest bid is a remarkably low act. ... You threaten to sue your fellow band members for neglect and not treating you right monetary wise. Isn't it typical? You both want to harvest the fruits, but putting labour into it yourself is not so important. See how long that'll last in real life. Ironically, it lasted this long with the band, finally now that time is over. ^[7]

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

Role	Year
	1993-1995	1995-1996	1996–1997	1997-1998	1999-2000	2000-2004	2004-2005	2005-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-
Vocals	Silenoz	Shagrath
Guitar	Silenoz
Lead Guitar	Tjodalv	Shagrath		Astennu		Galder
Bass	Brynjard Tristan		Stian Arnesen		ICS Vortex						N/A
Drums	Shagrath	Tjodalv			Nicholas Barker		Tony Laureano	Hellhammer	Tony Laureano	Daray
Keyboard	Stian Aarstad		Shagrath	Kimberly Goss	Mustis						N/A

Band members (by Album)

Role	Album (LPs)
	For All Tid	Stormblåst	Enthrone Darkness Triumphant	Spiritual Black Dimensions	Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia	Death Cult Armageddon	In Sorte Diaboli
Vocals	Silenoz	Shagrath
Rhythm Guitar	Silenoz
Lead Guitar	Tjodalv	Shagrath		Astennu	Galder
Bass	Brynjard Tristan		Nagash		I.C.S. Vortex
Drums	Shagrath	Tjodalv			Nicholas Barker		Hellhammer
Keyboard	Stian Aarstad			Mustis

Current line-up

• Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) – lead vocals(1995-), synthesizer (1993–), guitar (1995-1997, 2005 in Stormblast MMV ), drums, backing vocals (1993-1995), bass guitar (2005 in ''Stormblast MMV),
• Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) – guitar (1993–), backing vocals (1995–1996, 2005 in Stormblast MMV ), lead vocals (1993-1995)
• Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen) - lead guitar (2000–)
• Daray (Dariusz Brzozowski) - drums (live) (Blackest of the Black 2008, 2009) ^{[8] [9]}

Former members

• Brynjard Tristan (Ivar Tristan Lundsten) – bass guitar (1993–1996)
• Stian Aarstad – keyboard (1993–1997)
• Nagash (Stian Arnesen) – bass guitar, backing vocals (1996–1999)
• Tjodalv (Ian Kenneth Åkesson) – drums (1995–1999), guitar (1993–1995)
• Astennu (Jamie Stinson) – guitar (1997–2000)
• Nicholas Barker – drums (1999–2004)
• Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) – drums (2005–2007, on hiatus)
• Archon - guitar (2000)
• ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs) – clean vocals (1998–2009), bass guitar (1999–2009) ^[10]
• Mustis (Øyvind Mustaparta) – keyboards, synthesizer (1998–2009) ^[10]

Session members

• Jens Petter - guitar (live) (1996-1997)
• Aggressor (Carl-Michael Eide) – drums (live) (1997)
• Kimberly Goss – keyboard (live) (1997–1998)
• Reno Kiilerich – drums (live) (2004)
• Tony Laureano – drums (live) (2004–2005, 2007–2008)
• Cyrus (from Susperia) - guitar (live) (Blackest of the Black 2008)
• Reno Killerich (from Panzerchrist) (during the Death Cult Armageddon Tour 2003-2004 )