Imagine a long cryptic hallway. In a cathedral-like fortress you walk about with nothing but the tainted light coming through the ancient glass windows to disrupt the otherwise absolute darkness. As a storm rages on across the distant lands outside the great walls, the chamber seems to be one of suffering and somber memories. One can only collapse on the cold stone floor and battle the darkness as sadness descends on the once deserted passage. As all hope seems to be lost in the midst of such anguish, a haunting melody fills the air, and breathes the breath of a life once lost. That melody is one of
For All Tid, the origin of the now notorious Dimmu Borgir.
This melody brings back memories that seemed to be lost forever. The storm beyond this sanctum of suffering seems to have been brought on by a
Death Cult Armageddon with thoughts of
Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia. This Cult has become the dominant force across the lands, conquering minds with little traces of what once was. While many adopt the ways of the Cult in the hopes that their worthless mortal souls may be sacrificed, the few valiant people hold dear their beliefs; beliefs of
Stormbl"st and for
For All Tid.
Dimmu Borgir"s sound in the beginning was nothing as it is now. Before their dark symphonies began to conquer their musical appearance, they were a true melodic black metal band. They held on to this style for two albums but never cast it aside for good. Traces of their past can be heard within all of their albums. Those traces may seem nonexistent to some, but once you know what they accomplished in their early days, their roots are plainly visible even today.
For All Tid, while extremely primitive, features an interesting and unusual sound that may be embraced but fewer of their current fans.
Unlike a typical black metal album, Dimmu Borgir"s goal was melody, from start to finish. Melancholic melodies and instrumental work dominate the album while their famous synth effects are as visible as ever. Every song presents an array of memorable moments and depressing effects. If the album opener
Det Nye Riket didn"t catch your attention, then perhaps you don"t belong here. The album follows the tone set by that song down to the last note with a form of black metal that isn"t as savage as many perceive the genre to be. Instances such as the harmonizing wonders of
Glittertind and the incredible acoustic work of
For All Tid are absolutely captivating and never cease to amaze.
Mainly thanks to the ever-popular Shagrath, this album is palpably black metal. While he favors a deeper scream with the occasional growl or clean singing moment, his vocals here are the high, raspy shriek common to Norwegian metal inhabitants.
Under Korpens Vinger fires away as a ravaging festival of unholy rites that proudly displays the band"s roots while
Raabj"rn Speiler Draugheimens Skodde is a mystical folk metal journey. This album is not watered down; it is a raw Scandinavian metal album. Extreme in every way, which I fear may cast some away in a fit of unrelenting laceration.
The album"s only notable downfall would be its incredibly primitive nature. The production is most notably less polished (understatement of the year) then their current work and may come as a shock to many. The arrangements are often very crude as well, which severely hampers the effect of the music. The most painful moment of this otherwise excellent album is the poor operatic sing in
Over Bleknede Bl"ner Cil Dommedag, which is precisely the reason that Silenoz and Vortex took over clean singing duties later on. Aside from major issues, the album is littered with miniscule technical faults. While not completely condemning the music, these tribulations are merely part of what makes
For All Tid one of Dimmu Borgir"s most unique releases to date and a landmark in metal history.
Recommended tracks:
" Det Nye Riket
" Glittertind
" For All Tid
Pros:
" Unique melodic and atmospheric black metal
" Creativity in each song
" Memorable in every way
Cons:
" Production does not accent this sound
" Occasionally sloppy and crude
Anyone interested in translations of the titles can find them [url=http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9087199&postcount=2978]here[/url].
