Norwegian melodic-black/symphonic metal act Dimmu Borgir have never been the sort of band to limit themselves or their sound.
Norwegian melodic-black/symphonic metal act Dimmu Borgir have never been the sort of band to limit themselves or their sound. Each and every new release from the band further pushes the limits of what can be achieved within the extreme metal realm.
Having continually built upon their success and further widening their sounds with every subsequent album, the band’s follow up to 2007’s In Sorte Diaboli was always going to be an interesting prospect. After months of building hype and speculation, Dimmu Borgir have finally unveiled their eighth full-length album Abrahadabra.
The opening orchestral instrumental piece Xibir immediately signals a huge step up in terms of dramatic cinematic sounds, with the 100-piece orchestra/choir sounding fuller and lusher than anything contributed the band’s former releases.
After introductions are over, the band launch into Born Treacherous, which gives a clear idea of how big a part the orchestration and the choir play in the band’s overall sound. The group’s melodic black metal sound is still very much present throughout the song, but now shares an equal place alongside the orchestration, which gives the song a huge epic feel.
Gateways has certainly courted some controversy amongst fans with guest female vocalist Agnete Kjølsrud’s contribution lending the song a very different edge. But while some may find the change a little jarring, Kjølsrud’s efforts give the song a real edge that would be otherwise lacking without her presence.
Another guest to feature predominately throughout the album is bassist/clean vocalist Snowy Shaw, who positively shines most on the fast paced blast ofRitualist and the manic Renewal, while Ulver vocalist Kristoffer Rygg adds to the impressive album closer Endings And Continuations with his clean emotive efforts.
Elsewhere, further highlights can be found within the stunning Dimmu Borgir and the extreme speed of A Jewel Traced Through Coal.
In short, Abrahadabra is another crowning achievement for the band, and a worthy successor to In Sorte Diaboli.
Dimmu Borgir, Abrahadabra is out now through Nuclear Blast and Riot Records
