Few black metal bands could ever hope to catch up to epic anthems of Norway"s Dimmu Borgir. Having recorded seven official albums and even releasing a DVD, no black metal has made it more mainstream then this symphonic black metal band (with the exception of Cradle Of Filth, which isn"t even what you would consider black metal to say the least). With this re-recording of their sophomore, genre defining album
Stormbl"st, many people have to ask "Why re-record an already perfectly good album?" Well, there are several reasons that could possible explain why vocalist Shagrath and guitarist Silenoz made the decision they made. However, there are two reasons for sure why the band did what they did, for they were given in several interviews and public statements:
1- The band members were very uncomfortable with the sound and production of the original record, and as far as they are concerned, they are the only fans of the band that they wish to please. So the band members got producer (and Hypocrisy mastermind) Peter T"gtgren and Mayhem drummer Hellhammer to refinish the album"s sound.
2- The keyboardist for the band at the time of the original recording supposedly stole the keyboard riffs that are on the song
Sorgens Kammer (which is why the track was replaced with the now widely popular
Sorgens Kammer - Del II track).
New Additions To The Album
Aside from the much more listener friendly production and sound quality, the album features two new tracks,
Sorgens Kammer - Del II and
Avmaktslave.
Sorgens Kammer - Del II begins with some soft guitar strums followed by some heavy riffage and blast beats. One thing I really take note to in the song is the unique sample that is repeated over the course of the song, giving it a very dark sound and haunting atmosphere. Shagrath is noticeably different in the beginning of this track then he is with most of the other song son the album. At around 3 minutes the song has a soft breakdown with melodic guitar strums, only to ascend back into more heavy riffage and mayhem. A very good and steardy track, and also one of my favorites on the new recording.
Avmaktslave is a bonus track that ends this reissue. It begins with some creepy childish music and faint laughter in the beginning. The song then bursts into guitar riffs and haunting chants. The track is very much like the song
D"dsferd, which was part of the original recording. The song has some great riffs and drum work along with Shagrath"s hellish black metal screams. Another good addition to the album and also one of my favorite tracks.
The DVD that comes with the reissue is also a good treat. Featuring an outstanding performance by the band doing Ozzfest back in 2004. The DVD features the songs
Spellbound (By The Devil),
Vredrsbvrd,
Kings Of The Carnival Creation,
Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse, and
Mourning Palace, all songs off of more recent and more popular albums by the band. Overall all the songs on the DVD are amazing and so are the performances of each band member (I love you Vortex!).
Overall Rating: 4.5 (It"s just as good if not better then the original recording, and the only reason not to like it that I can find is if you have a great distaste of reissues or are in deep passionate love of the original
Stormbl"st recording.)
. And i think Puritanical was one of their best ones. I heard Spiritual and i dont like it very much, like three or four songs only..
