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DIMMU BORGIR BIOGRAPHY
Dimmu Borgir is a Symphonic/Melodic Black Metal band from Norway. "Dimmu Borgir" means "Misty Castle/Citadel" or "Dark Fortress" in Icelandic, and it comes from some volcanic formations on Iceland: "The Dimmuborgir". Legend holds that this type of lava is a gateway straight to hell. Shagrath has said in an interview that The Dimmuborgir actually comes from the citadels of Scotland.
Dimmu Borgir was formed in 1993 by the trio of Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv (the first two have remained the leaders of the band, while Tjodalv recently left to form Susperia). The current lineup has an impressive lineage, with ties to other established bands such as Cradle of Filth, Borknagar, and Old Man's Child. As one might expect, the earlier material is a bit rawer and less developed, as the band has matured and progressed with each release without sacrificing intensity or forgetting its roots.
Drummer Nick Barker was rather suddenly dismissed from the band in February 2004, with no reason given from him or the band at the time. (Barker later surmised that the band probably wanted a fellow Norwegian. It is also possible that Barker couldn't afford to keep making the trip to Norway to rehearse with the band. Barker later drummed for Benediction, his current band.) At the time being, Norwegian legend Hellhammer (from Mayhem) is playing drums. Hellhammer is also drumming on their recently released album, In Sorte Diaboli, which is a concept album that follows the story of a young priest who awakens to the pernicious knowledge that his current value system is flawed, and slowly becomes to manifest evil.
The current lineup consists of:
Shagrath - Vocals (also plays guitar in Chrome Division)
Silenoz - Rhythm guitars
Galder - Lead guitars (also the frontman of Old Man's Child)
ICS Vortex - Bass, Clean vocals (formerly the bassist and vocalist of Borknagar and vocalist of Arcturus)
Mustis - Keyboards
Hellhammer - Session/Live Drums (also in Mayhem, and formerly in The Kovenant and Arcturus.)
Former members include:
Brynjard Tristan - Bass (also played bass in Old Man's Child)
Tjodalv - Drums (now plays in Susperia, and formerly in Old Man's Child)
Stian Aarstad - Keyboards
Astennu - Lead Guitars
Nicholas Barker - Drums (now plays in Benediction, and formerly in Cradle of Filth and Old Man's Child)
DIMMU BORGIR GENRES
Melodic Black/Symphonic Extreme Metal
DIMMU BORGIR LYRICAL THEMES
Misanthropy, Satan, Anti-Christianity, Rebellion
DIMMU BORGIR ORIGIN
Norway (Oslo), formed in 1993
DIMMU BORGIR CURRENT RECORD LABEL
Nuclear Blast
DIMMU BORGIR STATUS
Active
DIMMU BORGIR CURRENT LINE-UP
Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) - Vocals (1993-) (also guitars 1993-1996 & drums 1993-1995) (Starkness, Fimbulwinter, Ragnarok (Nor), Chrome Division)
Erkekjetter Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) - Guitars (also vocals) (1993-) (Nocturnal Breed, Malefic (Nor))
Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen) - Guitars (2001-) (Old Man's Child, Requiem (Nor), D�dheimsgard)
ICS Vortex (Simen Hestn�s) - Bass/Clean Vocals (2000-) (Arcturus (Nor), Borknagar, Lamented Souls, Code)
Mustis (�yvind Johan Mustaparta) - Keyboards (1998-) (Susperia, Vidder)
Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) - Session Drums (2005-) (Antestor, Arcturus (Nor), Carnivora, Covenant (Nor), J�rn, Mayhem (Nor), Gorgoroth, Mezzerschmitt, Mortem (Nor), Shining (Swe), The Kovenant, Thorns (Nor), Troll, Vidsyn, Winds (Nor), Tritonus, Age Of Silence)
Tony Laureano - Live Drums (2004, 2007-) (Acheron (US), Angelcorpse, Astaroth (US), God Dethroned, Internecine, Malevolent Creation, Nile, Devolution (US), Aurora Borealis (US), live for 1349, live for Nachtmystium)
DIMMU BORGIR PREVIOUS LINE-UP
Guitars:
Astennu (Jamie Stinson) (1997-1999) (Lord Kaos, Covenant (Nor), Carpe Tenebrum, Infernal Method, Stronger Than Hate)
Jens Petter (between "Devil's Path" (1996) & "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" (1997))
Bass:
Nagash (Stian Arnesen aka Lex Icon) (1996-1999), also vocals, keyboards (The Kovenant, Covenant (Nor), Troll, Carpe Tenebrum, Chrome Division)
Brynjard Tristan (1994-1996) (Old Man's Child)
Drums:
Tjodalv (Kenneth �kesson) (1993-1999), also guitars (Susperia, Old Man's Child, Requiem (Nor), Black Comedy)
Nicholas Howard Barker (1999-2004) (Old Man's Child, Brujeria, Cradle of Filth, Lockup, Catalepsy (UK), Monolith (UK), Benediction, Driven By Suffering, session for Testament, session for Winter�s Thrall)
Reno Killerich (Live 2004-2005) (Evil Morgan, Kobeast, 12Gauge, ex-Chthonic (Session), Downlord (Session), Exmortem (Dnk), Hate Eternal, Old Man's Child, Panzerchrist, Strangler, Vile (US))
Keyboards:
Kimberly Goss (1997-1998) (Children of Bodom (Live), Sinergy, Ancient (Nor), Therion (Swe), Avernus, Warmen (Guest))
Stian Aarstad (1993-1997) (Enthral (Nor))
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