Dimmu Borgir Album: “Abrahadabra”

Dimmu Borgir has a polarizing affect on a lot of people. Black Metal purists hate them with a passion for "selling out" and like any band they have die hard fans as well. Personally, I stand in the middle of all of it. I don't hate them (calling a Black Metal band sell outs seems overwrought to me) but I also like a bunch of Black Metal bands more than them (Emperor/Ihsahn, Enslaved, Immortal, Satyricon to name a few). There has been a lot of hype and controversy around this album - on one hand some people are mad at the fact that ICS Vortex and Mustis were fired and how Mustis was fired (via text message) and on the other hand the band has been hyping this album as ground breaking with the addition of fuller orchestras, choirs and female vocals. After listening to the album it seems to me that all that hype is just that - hype.

I am neither blown away nor disappointed by this album because to my ears as a casual fan of the band their sound hasn't changed incredibily. There are differences sure but not so much that it changes or improves their sound drastically. Dimmu Borgir is a symphonic Black Metal band they don't expand on that on Abrahadabra or stray from it. Just maybe refine it more. This album sounds similar to Cradle Of Filth's Damnation and a Day. An album I have an equal amount of passion for. Which is to say it's alright. After listening to this album 3 times no tracks really stand out nor are there any moments that made me sit up and take notice. But it was enjoyable to listen to all the same.

So if you are a fan of Dimmu Borgir you'll probably like this album. And if you are listening objectively you won't notice the absence of Vortex or Mustis that much. However, I would say that if you are new to Dimmu Borgir and are wanting to check them out that you shouldn't start with this album,

,

&

remain their best.

I know some people have not like them since Stormblast, and I read in places that they have lost their

Black Metal roots. Weather they are 'true' Black Metal or not, for me I couldn't care less - this album is fantastic in whatever Metal Genre you want to put them in. The sound on this is brilliant and having an entire symphony only enhances the atmosphere that Dimmu have created. Galder is so underrated as a guitarist and Shagrath has really taken his vocals up to another notch. I would say this album is probably closer to Death Cult Armageddon in terms of it's Symphonic Metal sound but I think this one is even more polished in terms of production. Dimmu have not limited itself to the sounds of old school black metal and seem to enjoy trying different musical approaches and that is the one thing I love about this band. I am not sure if this review encourages you to purchase this album but if like me, you are a fan of Dimmu Borgir already, chances are you will purchase this anyway. A great album and a worthy addition to your Metal collection !!!!

As a long-time Dimmu Borgir follower, and after nearly 8 months of the new album, I've decided to offer another perspective. I picked up the album on its day of release and gave it an honest chance. However, after hearing the train-wreck of a single "Gateways", I was skeptical.

Xibir is an excellent opening to the album. It sets the tone very well and provides hope that the album could be epic. Cradle of Filth's opening track to "Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder" should be the standard for any orchestral introductions, they nailed it.

Next, Born Treacherous kicks in, you can immediately tell that the sound quality lacks power and punch. The orchestra sounds excellent, but the drums are weak and the guitars & bass are drowned out. I was really disappointed with the lack of clarity. The drums especially have no power, on a good system you can barely feel them. The guitars are muddy and get overwhelmed by the orchestra. This song goes on for too long and lacks the aggressive first-impression that you expect from an album.

By now if you don't know about Gateways, don't bother. The song starts off on fire, great potential, but then changes pace, and changes again, and again. The female singer detracts from the quality, she's annoying. The song tries to be too epic, and fails.

Chess with the Abyss is surprisingly good. The lyrics are a little cheesy and repetitive but it's one of the better songs.

Dimmu Borgir is an excellent song. If you can be objective and accept a positive-feeling song, this song is great. As a side note, this song is phenomenal when performed live.

ICS Vortex is gone and nobody can replace him, especially Snowy Shaw. I could accept the fact that Dimmu Borgir would sound different, so I gave their new clean vocalist a chance, but his dreadful performance on Ritualist ruined any hope. The music builds up the perfect moment for a great singer to hit a home run, but he butchers it. Shagrath should have gave it a try instead, couldn't have been any worse. The music is almost good enough to overlook the terrible singing, but not quite.

The rest of the album is a love/hate relationship. You gotta give the boys credit, it's a solid effort. Overall, it's a 6.5/10. There were just too many moments that made you question your true loyalty. The orchestra is heavily used throughout but the integration is flawless. It is a very symphonic sounding album but the sound quality is weak doesn't draw you in with its power. I don't understand how they could have been satisfied with the final production. If you're new to Dimmu Borgir and don't know which album to hear/buy first, don't pick this one. See below:

Death Cult Armageddon was made in their prime 7/10.

In Sorte Diaboli was an instant masterpiece, amazing sound quality and a very consistently great album 9/10. The Heretic Hammer is one of the best songs they ever made, but it is a bonus song not released on the original version, otherwise it'd be 10/10.

Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia marked the beginning of their modern era sound and a phenomenal drumming performance by Nicholas Barker 8/10.

Spiritual Black Dimensions is an overall great album but the sound quality is amazingly bad 6/10.

Enthrone Darkness Triumphant: before the advent of clean singing, a true black metal classic, 7/10.

Stormblast: the beginning, great start but lacks versatility 6/10.

Dimmu fans will like this, but black metal purists will shake their heads at this stuff. It's much more dark than their last few records, but the sound isn't as good. The thick guitar sound is gone, as are the loud drums, but composition wise this is a very interesting album. Don't download it either, I've heard the MP3 version and it blows...the original is much better. The only thing I didn't like is the way it folds out, way too much cardboard...takes up too much space on the cd tower, and I don't even have the collector's version. Good music though, but if you are more of a purist then I recommend the new Melechesh, or Watain album. If you simply like the stuff than sounds like it was recorded up satan's butthole on a tape recorder from the 80's, then go for the new Black Funeral, or Enoid.

I pre bought this album because I love everything these guys have put out. I got into the band with Enthrone Darkness Triumphant

I miss Vortex and Mustis! This album is a little heavy on the symphonic choiral arrangements...but I like those...some people may be put off by this. I was really surprised when I heard "Gateways" It sounds a lot like a Mushroomhead song! My husband even brought that when he heard it. I am very happy to see this song is in the top 5 at Liquid Metal the Sirius Metal station (even though it is a rare day when they generously may play a Black Metal or Prog metal song)The list is made by the listeners. So perhaps the station might consider adding some Black/Prog metal once in a while! I highly recommend this album and there is not one reference to Satan in all the lyrics which is refreshing!