DIMMU BORGIR – “Death Cult Armageddon” (20-year classic)

DIMMU BORGIR
“Death Cult Armageddon”
CD (Nuclear Blast/EW)

With their now sixth regular studio album, Dimmu Borgir have presented an extremely profound and hellishly mature work, which easily puts the two predecessors in the bag and almost follows the exquisite “Enthrone Darkness Triumphant” in terms of quality, unfortunately without completely returning to old virtues. An indication of this partial reorientation is certainly the reintroduction of Norwegian lyrics in two tracks, which probably pleases not only me very much. “Death Cult Armageddon” can already be considered as one of the highlights of symphonic Black Metal of the year 2003, as this record masterfully combines the merciless harshness of Black Metal with symphonic, partly bombastic elements and even adds a classical touch by using the Prague Symphony Orchestra, which makes this opus another highlight in the already top-class discography of the Norwegians. Bombastic, almost soundtrack-like elements are paired with symphonic Black Metal and give birth to a breathtaking creation, which is refined here and there by the unmistakable clear vocals of Vortex (Borknagar), crowned by a sound that can only be described as perfect. If the Norwegians had now still renounced some too kitschy keyboard passages, this album would settle frighteningly close to the top mark. (8,5)

Björn Springorum

(The review was first published in the Orkus! issue September 2003)

Listen to the album here: