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Dimmu Borgir - Abrahadabra



7.7 | 761 votes |
Release date: 24 September 2010
Style: Symphonic black metal

Owners:

763 have it
56 want it
1 trades it


01. Xibir
02. Born Treacherous
03. Gateways
04. Chess With The Abyss
05. Dimmu Borgir
06. Ritualist
07. The Demiurge Molecule
08. A Jewel Traced Through Coal
09. Renewal
10. Endings And Continuations
11. Gateways [Orchestral version] [Limited Edition/iTunes bonus]
12. The Demiurge Molecule [Orchestral version] [iTunes bonus]
13. Dimmu Borgir [Orchestral version] [bonus]
14. Perfect Strangers [Deep Purple cover] [Hot Topic bonus]
15. D.M.D.R. [GGFH cover] [Hot Topic bonus]
+ Gateways [video] [Digipak/Hot Topic bonus]

Line-up
Stian Tomt Thoresen - vocals, keyboards, effects
Thomas Rune Andersen Orre - guitars
Sven Atle Kopperud - guitars

Additional musicians:
Geir Bratland - keyboard
Dariusz Brzozowski - drums
Tommie Snowy Mike Christer Shaw - bass, vocals
Agnete Kjølsrud - vocals
Kristoffer Rygg - vocals
Richard Wikstrand - slide guitar
Andy Sneap - guitars

Kringkastingsorkesteret conducted by Rune Halvorsen
Schola Cantorum Choir conducted by Rune Halvorsen

Additional info
*The Amazon mp3, Rhapsody, eMusic, Napster digital editions include the bonus track:
- Dimmu Borgir (Orchestral version) (05:35)

The Nuclear Blast USA digipak version includes the "Gateways" video clip and the bonus track:
- Dimmu Borgir (Orchestral version) (05:35)

The Nuclear Blast USA vinyl version includes a double gatefold black vinyl version (180 gram) with the bonus track:
- Dimmu Borgir (Orchestral version) (05:35)

The exclusive Hot Topic jewel-case version includes the "Gateways" video clip, and three bonus tracks:
- Perfect Strangers (Deep Purple cover) (04:01)
- D.M.D.R. (GGFH cover)
- Dimmu Borgir (Orchestral version) (05:35)

The Nuclear Blast USA's exclusive, limited-edition webstore version includes a deluxe metal ammo box (hand-numbered and limited to 350 copies) which includes:
- "Abrahadabra" North American deluxe cross digipak version with one bonus track
- Dimmu Borgir belt buckle
- Dimmu Borgir dog tags
- Poster flag
- Exclusive t-shirt

The Nuclear Blast Europe's exclusive, limited-edition webstore version includes:
Shagrath's mask which is embedded in a big replica of the album cover which includes
- A certificate
- A deluxe boxset Digipack with four bonus tracks
- Perfect Strangers (Deep Purple cover) (04:01)
- D.M.D.R. (GGFH cover)
- Gateways (Orchestral version) (5:43)
- Dimmu Borgir (Orchestral version) (05:35)
- Gateways (Enhanced video)

All European CD versions of the album are including the enhanced Gateways video

Produced by Dimmu Borgir
Drums, Shagrath's and Snowy's vocals were recorded with Daniel Bergstrand in Uppsala, Sweden
Guitars, bass and keyboards were recorded in Oslo, Norway with Russ Russell as the engineer
Mixed and mastered in England by Andy Sneap
Cover artwork by Joachim Luetke

Release dates: Germany - September 24; Rest of Europe - September 27; North America - October 12

Staff review by
Daniell
Rating:
8.0
Dimmu Borgir sucks. Dimmu Borgir are sellouts. Dimmu Borgir have a stupid image and idiotic videos. Dimmu Borgir kick members out with no explanation. Dimmu Borgir is only about squeezing cash from stupid kids who are naive enough to buy their albums. They suck, they suck, they suck!

If you believe that any of the above statements are true, you may as well stop reading now. This review will not take into consideration anything other than music. In other words, if you expect a biased review aimed against one of the most popular extreme bands, you'll be better off helping your father cut the lawn or doing dishes for your mum, because you won't find what you're looking for here.

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published 23.09.2010 | Comments (129)

Guest review by
Windrider
Rating:
6.0
If you like Abrahadabra by Dimmu Borgir you can make two great mistakes like I did. Let me warn you! The first thing is listening to classical music like Mozart or Haydn. It won't take more than a single stroke to realize that all the so-called great orchestrations are simply nothing in comparison to the dead composers. The second big fail is listening to real and raw black metal. To quote the famous snake, if you do something of that, "your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." This album is neither anything of black metal nor of classical compositions.

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published 28.01.2011 | Comments (24)

Guest review by
TheH2K
Rating:
7.8
Mustis has departed, and no ICS Vortex clean vocals for the first time since 1999. Can Dimmu Borgir escape from the massive attack of the fans this time?

Traditionally, the album starts with an instrumental piece; however, except for some seconds, it is not appealing at all and far away from masterpieces like "Fear And Wonder", "Perfection Or Vanity" or even "Det Nye Riket".

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published 04.06.2020 | Comments (1)

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Comments page 7 / 7

Comments: 206   Visited by: 1869 users
23.08.2011 - 01:11
Rating: 5
musicalkaratekid
This is actually my third favourite DB album, coming under 'Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia' and 'Death Cult Armageddon'. Insorte diaboli for me was good but it lacked the overblown epic atmosphere that abradahabra had. A couple of weak tracks ('Chess With the abyss' and 'Dimmu Borgir') but on the whole i quite like this album. Lets face it though, the album title is a bit ridiculous¬_¬
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23.08.2011 - 07:23
Rating: 6
rekkuza-
I facepalmed so freaking hard upon hearing the name of that album. It is not black metal though. It is catchy as hell, yes. But I wouldn't say it it is black metal, rather, symphonic metal. With screechy vocals.
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The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it- Oscar Wilde
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13.11.2011 - 01:53
Rating: 5
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by [user id=100689] on 13.11.2011 at 01:47
I can't believe this piece of shit has a higher rating than "For All Tid"... people must be crazy...

People must have different tastes than you actually.

For All Tid is extremely raw compared to this. FAT is also a black metal album, whereas this is more of a symphonic release.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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13.11.2011 - 21:42
Rating: 5
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by [user id=100689] on 13.11.2011 at 12:15
But, objectively, new Dimmu Borgir is a ridiculous band, that's the point.

I don't...think you understand what objective means.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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14.11.2011 - 19:52
Rating: 5
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by [user id=100689] on 14.11.2011 at 11:27
I listened to this, PEM and ISD... I know what I'm talking about

You're being subjective, because in your opinion these albums are ridiculous. Objective would be saying something like these albums are less black metal influenced and probably won't cater to fans of extreme metal, especially fans of FAT since it's such an extreme departure from that style.

Just sayin'.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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14.11.2011 - 21:53
Rating: 5
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by [user id=100689] on 14.11.2011 at 21:29
To be honest, when I say "ridiculous" I'm referring to their image. Ok, people have different musical tastes , and that's a good thing. But no one can disagree that the band looks like a bunch of clowns...

Oh LOOKS! Ya I can get on board with that.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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08.12.2011 - 10:33
Rating: 5
AngelofDeth
Cyborg Raptor
I love symphonic elements mixed with metal but this... was just executed poorly. dimmu got the whol symphonic/extreme metal combo down perfect with previous song such as progencies, blood hunger, and serpentine so i was expecting a full album of tracks of this quality. its not up to par at all. mediocre at best whether your an extreme metal fan and/or sympho metal fan.

Its one of those albums where you like most the riffs/sections of each song but there is always that one riff or section that is shitty that ruins the entire song and all but maybe two songs are like this. "The Ritualist" is a prime example of this, it has to have one of the worst intros of all time, that riff is fuckn terrible. its a riff that u would make jammin wit friends amd everyone would laff, fun to jam but i dont no how they took that seriously.

The brass is pretty cool tho with compositions reminiscent of old historical epic movie scores.
But The strings and other symphonic instruments are, in general, a complete joke and are completely uninspired and often unneccesary

All in all i think Dimmu Borgir and Gateways are the only salvagable songs from the album.. and even then they havent been hitting my speakers often.
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pewpew.. gotcha
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08.12.2011 - 20:12
Rating: 5
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by [user id=35732] on 08.12.2011 at 19:52
One of the worst intros of all time. Terrible riff. Ritualist? lmao. Maybe Borgir just ain't for you. The whole beginning of Ritualist isn't about a riff, not at all.

He also said this album blends extreme metal with symphonic arrangements. Personally I don't find much by way of extremity in this release at all.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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09.12.2011 - 09:15
Rating: 5
AngelofDeth
Cyborg Raptor
Quote:
Quote:

One of the worst intros of all time. Terrible riff. Ritualist? lmao. Maybe Borgir just ain't for you. The wRitualist isn't about a riff, not at all.

Your right i put the wrong trackname, my bad. i often listen to albums all at once, and dont see the track titles all the time. I meant the intro riff of "Demiurge Molecule"

And i do like some of their previous works particularly Enthrone Darkness, and Deathcult. and i actually did like this album at first listen. but after multiple i began to realize all its flaws. i understand why some would like it but this album is not for me.
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pewpew.. gotcha
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09.12.2011 - 09:37
Rating: 5
AngelofDeth
Cyborg Raptor
Written by Troy Killjoy on 08.12.2011 at 20:12

Written by [user id=35732] on 08.12.2011 at 19:52
One of the worst intros of all time. Terrible riff. Ritualist? lmao. Maybe Borgir just ain't for you. The whole beginning of Ritualist isn't about a riff, not at all.

He also said this album blends extreme metal with symphonic arrangements. Personally I don't find much by way of extremity in this release at all.

I never said that about this album, when i said that i was talking about some of their previous works. and i agree that extreme metal prolly wouldnt exactly be fitting for this album.
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pewpew.. gotcha
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09.12.2011 - 19:20
Rating: 5
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by AngelofDeth on 09.12.2011 at 09:37
I never said that about this album, when i said that i was talking about some of their previous works. and i agree that extreme metal prolly wouldnt exactly be fitting for this album.

Interpretation fail on my part.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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29.07.2012 - 01:15
Rating: 5
musicalkaratekid
With the exception of 'Gateways' and 'Dimmu Borgir', this album is just horribly generic and boring. I liked this album at first but now, having listened to it over and over again, it seems it hasn't aged that well at all. It would be better to listen to one of COF's latter albums, because at least they have a bit of 'feeling' in them. This sounds like DB's unwanted studio outtakes.
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30.09.2012 - 00:12
Tiago Rocha
Dark Lighthouse
The symphonic choir chants ended quite well in here, loved them. Good album overall.
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30.09.2012 - 00:30
Rating: 5
God Alone
Two years have passed and it's still a confusing if not tedious experience for me. I keep listening to Xibir-Born Treacherous, Chess With The Abyss and the title-track; as for the rest, I just don't care.
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09.12.2012 - 22:13
Rating: 7
CyberSymphony
Ollie
Listened to this album all the way though, its got some great elements. But nothing has really connected with me and I just can't call this black metal.
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30.05.2013 - 19:03
RealEyes
This is not dimmu borgir anymore - this is an other wave style that tries to be something...but it is some kind of a fail. I thing I am gonna switch to shade empire.
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15.06.2013 - 15:05
Zap
DABLABLABLABLABLABLABLABLA
-GATEWAYS!
BLABLABLABLABLABLAAAABLABLA
-GATEWAYS!
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09.03.2014 - 22:51
hellsmiles
Written by Zap on 15.06.2013 at 15:05

DABLABLABLABLABLABLABLABLA
-GATEWAYS!
BLABLABLABLABLABLAAAABLABLA
-GATEWAYS!

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09.03.2014 - 22:52
hellsmiles
I listened to this album whilst trekking across the United States (I had a LOT of time to listen to stuff I'd overlooked) and this one kind of just slipped into the background and didn't come off as very interesting to me. The older the better in Dimmu Borgir's case.
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28.10.2014 - 01:20
Rating: 9
InsaneMetal
Written by InsaneMetal on 18.10.2010 at 18:02

Wow, I can't believe this piece of shi got such a good review. Really, sounds like shit to me.

Well I have never been so wrong. I've been listening to it quite a lot and I actually love it now. When I first listened to this I was thinking "oh fuck this Vortex and Mustis are not in the band anymore", probably the reason I hated it so much.
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31.12.2014 - 14:19
Rating: 7
EnsiferumFan
The blonde b*tch at "Gateways" makes the whole album a mastersh*t!!!
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31.12.2014 - 18:45
Rating: 5
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Are people still afraid to swear in forums?
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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01.01.2015 - 02:16
Rating: 7
M C Vice
ex-polydactyl
Written by Troy Killjoy on 31.12.2014 at 18:45

Are people still afraid to swear in forums?

Shit scared.
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"I'm here to nunchuck and not wear helmets. And I'm all out of helmets."
"I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples."
" 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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01.01.2015 - 02:56
Rating: 4
Karlabos
^ Fuck, you could be banned for that, dumbass
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"Aah! The cat turned into a cat!"
- Reimu Hakurei
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14.04.2024 - 11:29
Zap
I kind of love "Gateways". It's cheesy and a bit ridiculous, but a good tune. Probably the only track here that I ever come back to.
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28.05.2024 - 10:09
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
I did not like artwork, sortha and booklet reminds me industrial glitter machine . Music is hard to judge, I have listen around all albums, and seems you need more time for each album, That's how I felt atm about this band.
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I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.

Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"

I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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