Review Summary: Dimmu Borgir spirals further into mediocrity with In Sorte Diaboli.
To just get this out of the way, even though this is the third review of
the album and only my second review, please at least read the review from an
unbiased opinion. The reason I am writing this is not to gain views since
the album is popular or add a third review just for the sake of a review
but merely because I think the other reviews only capture one perspective.
So anyways, without further adieu here is that other perspective.
So to start this off, chances are if you are reading this review, you
subsequently already know quite a bit of history about the band, since
well.. they have garnered quite the fanbase and criticism. However for the
odd one out, Dimmu Borgir had its beginnings in 1994 and released two
legendary albums; For All Tid and to what some consider one of the few
romanticized Black Metal albums, Stormblast. However to the chagrin of
their older "true" black metal fans, Dimmu evolved into what some
considered Blackened Symphonic Metal or what I think is easier to define
Dark Extreme Metal. During their reign under the new direction, they
released Enthrone Darkness Triumphant. Even though fellow countrymen Varg
Vikernes, Euronymous etc, were getting on the front page in Norway for
murders and arson, ETD was historical in that it was the most popular album
considered black metal at the time and really brought the music close to
the mainstream (even though it wasn't actual black metal). *Ahem* After
this, Dimmu released three albums which were above average but again
nothing compared to Stormblast or For All Tid. This in 2007, is now their
seventh studio album and as you shall further read, does not in any way
deserve the moniker that their first albums have acquired.
Now let me tell you first off, that I do not hate Dimmu for the new
direction they have gone in. In fact I highly regard the fact that without
change a band will go nowhere and perhaps in the end would not gain success
for the works they have fashioned. However the case with Dimmu is that as
they transcended into a different style, they have lost the emotions and
feelings that used to pervade their music. Now let's flash back to
Stormblast. If anyone has ever really understood this album they will know
the overwhelming feelings obtained from the experience. Enchantment,
mysteriousness, even feelings associated with ancient times is what is
captured in such a romantic album. Yet not only would this album capture
overwhelming feelings but also images (of course depending on the
listener). For me images consumed me of ancient caves, myth's, folklore,
enthroned kings in darkened caverns, all so eerie and distant. Yet even
then with their next release EDT, many images were portrayed and the music
had such a icy dark feel to it that it was as if Dimmu were the masters of
darkness, always presenting something exciting and new.
Sadly, it seems as years passed Dimmu lost this fire and even more
unfortunately nearly have lost it now with the newest title In Sorte Diaboli. To put it in better words, the fire has been extinguished. Now to let you know, when I actually put ISD on, I was trying to like the band, praying that it matched anything of their older
works. So even though my mood was accepting and tolerable, I was soon
sorely dissapointed.
The main problem with ISD and even newer Dimmu cds is that it has no
feeling. It is almost as if all emotion has been sucked right out of the
music. Sure Hellhammer may be playing 1000 notes a second and Silenoz the
same as with power chords, but their is barely any melody, making
everything seeming forced and robotic. The worst part about it is how
overproduced and fake the whole effort seems. Now dont get me wrong, I love
overproduction if it can be done right ala. A Night At The Opera by Blind
Guardian. However I guess what Dimmu doesn't realize here, is that
production is an art and their is a point where it becomes noticeable.
Shagrath's vocals now are layered beyong capacity and it is actually
entirely noticeable to the point where you are wondering if he is from the
newest Star Wars movie. Now the worst part here is how the guitars are
done. Sure they sound at the most modern high quality processable but the
problem is that the tone and sound of the guitar has no uniqueness to it
and there is a point where it gets too overdone that it no longer has an
identity. However the only part here that isn't so bad considering
instruments is the keyboards. At times Mustis will sweep in with some epic
scores which evidently suit the music at times (Just think of the fourth
track "The Sacrilegous Scorn") however unlike Dimmu's predecessors Cradle,
the keyboard does not really have an atmosphere or completely overwhelm the
listener at how majestic it sounds, in fact it is just above average.
Finally on a lasting note, Dimmu hired one of the most proficient and well
known drummers in Black Metal; Hellhammer and while he does an excellent
job at staying with the music it still has little emotion and remains more
robotic than most of the instruments on the album.
The one part of the album however that truly dissapointed me is how poorly
the concept was executed. Months ago when I first learned that the album
would be a concept centered around the Middle Ages I was overwhelmed with
joy. Few bands have really realized how connected and mystical the middle
ages were and how well it can be transferred over to metal, not only into
imagination but as well to music. For example if you take the
quintessential album Dark Medieval Times by Satyricon into thought, you can
see at how both medieval history and the sound of medieval music can be
well used. The real blow to the album really was the fact that although it
was supposed to be a medieval concept album, it neither had any sort of
medieval sound or storyline accompasing it. All the concept was, was
Dimmu's tired efforts of bashing christianity and proclaiming a satanist as
an individual. In fact there was no story, no magic and no imagination, the
lyrics even served as the most unintelligent poetry the band has done thus
far and any sort of poetic enthrallment one would find on For All Tid or
even moments on Death Cult Armageddon, are no where to be found. To
summarize it, even though the booklet was wonderfully illustrated, their
was nothing of any worth to be found in the words and concepts.
However even though there is a lot that I found dissapointing in this album
there is also parts that still make it an album for casual listening. Dimmu
really can pull off the epic movie moments sometimes and these were made
apparent on such tracks as The Serpentine Offering, Sacriligous Scorn or
even the final track, The Foreshadowing Furnace. Among the epic movie
moments really also show that Dimmu are very talented, songs are weaved
well together, even if they may not be the most interesting or
spectacular songs they have ever done. Among this is that Dimmu are
extremely heavy and really can shine in the way of blasting open your
stereo but than again to what end? Yes Dimmu is a bit above average now and
although they do indeed have a unique sound, it is really sad how they have lost the charm, the enchantment and even the innovation that they once had. We all know that bands must change to progress but in this case, they have become worn out and tired, lacking any real energy or brilliance that was once there. In the end, if your a Dimmu fan I wouldn't say don't buy this album, you may enjoy it but just remember that it is not timeless or imaginitave it is just an above average extreme metal cd.
highlights:
- Some masterful sounds, ala keyboards, drums.
- Can be quite epic at times (eg:Keyboards in The Serpentine Offering)
- Definately sounds like Dimmu.
- They do have talent, wether it is used or not.
- The booklet and artwork are inspirationally well done.
downfalls:
- The songs are lifeless and lacking energy.
- Gone is the atmosphere and majesty of past releases.
- Even with the technicality, the songs arent exactly interesting.
- The lyrics have no imagination.
- There is nothing medieval about this album.
- Most instruments including vocals are overdone.
- Nothing new is presented here.
