Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli review
| Band: | Dimmu Borgir |
| Album: | In Sorte Diaboli |
| Style: | Symphonic black metal |
| Release date: | April 27, 2007 |
| Guest review by: | Arian Totalis |
Disc I
01. The Serpentine Offering
02. The Chosen Legacy
03. The Conspiracy Unfolds
04. The Ancestral Fever [European bonus]
05. The Sacrilegious Scorn
06. The Fallen Arise
07. The Heretic Hammer [North American bonus]
08. The Sinister Awakening
09. The Fundamental Alienation
10. The Invaluable Darkness
11. The Foreshadowing Furnace
12. Black Metal [Venom cover] [Japanese bonus]
Disc II [DVD]
01. The Serpentine Offering [video]
02. Making Of The Album With Dimmu Borgir (Studio Report)
03. Making Of "The Serpentine Offering"
+ Photogallery
So here it is, "In Sorte Diaboli", the long awaited new Dimmu Borgir concept album. It truly is a testament to the spirit of black metal, at least in it's message. The story is set in medieval england, and the concept that the album follows is that a man who is a priest's assistant realizes how corrupt the church is, and then in turn gets in touch with his dark side. Silenoz is the one who created the story and concept of the album, and I must say I apreciate him for that, I have been looking for an album dedicated to the message of corruption in organized religion. I would like all reading this review to prepare themselves to come into direct contact with Satan, prepare yourselves for "In Sorte Diaboli."
I have three words for you when it comes to the dominating musical factors of the album; "Shagrath and Hellhammer."
Seriously, those two did it on this album for me. Shagrath has such a powerful voice, every time I hear it my brain releases like a billion endorphines and I have a seizure from all the awesome that emanates from his vocal charge. Seriously, when he goes "Share my SACRIFIIIIIICE!!!" it stays there, in my head, all day.
Hellhammer tears the album up as well. He uses some insane double bass work, awesome fills, and he does some interesting cymbal work as well. So to all you Dimmu haters out there, if Hellhammer of legendary band "Mayhem" thinks that Dimmu is worth his time (which, considering his drumming for this album, he obviously does) then you should too.
As for the other instruments, well the guitars are obviously good. I mean, is it even possible to have a bad riff with Galder on your side? I think not, and Silenoz aint too shabby either. There are some intricate melody's and interludes in the album, and if you listen the switches are pretty good. Vortex, while not the best bassist in the world, still has of course, the legendary soothing clean vocals on this album. I personally, love that aspect of Dimmu. Then we come to Mustis, with his genius symphonic arrangements, charts, and melodies. The intro to "The Serpentine Offering" is a little annoying, but other than that, I think he does a pretty good job overall.
This album I wouldn't really say is their best, not by a long shot, but it sure as hell isn't a bad album, not in the least. Anyone who likes the unique and unorthodox style of symphonic/melodic Black Metal that Dimmu plays should get this album, it's definitely a worthy investment.
Album highlights: 'The Serpentine Offering', 'The Chosen Legacy', 'The Invaluable Darkness', 'The Forshadowing Furnace'.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 9 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written by Arian Totalis | 09.09.2007
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Rating:
8.3
8.3
|
Rating: 8.3 |
A Black Metal concept album? Yes, you read that right. Dimmu Borgir has once again found a way to stand out by taking an unconventional path. The Norwegian superstars are back with "In Sorte Diaboli", following mostly raw reviews on their re-release of "Stormblåst". Needless to say that their concept better stand the test if Dimmu Borgir wants to stay on top, seeing that their latest notable work was released in 2003. Remember "Death Cult Armageddon"? Read more ›› |
Rating:
9.8
9.8
|
Rating: 9.8 |
Dimmu Borgir made quite the accomplishment with the album, In Sorte Diaboli. This 2007 release to me is one of their best, if not the best. In Sorte Diaboli (ISD) was the very first Dimmu Borgir album I bought, but it was also the very first black metal, or for you technical people out there, symphonic black metal albums that I bought. Read more ›› |
Rating:
8.4
8.4
|
Rating: 8.4 |
Dimmu Borgir's eighth effort was sadly synchronized with the last appearance of ICS Vortex and Mustis, due to their dismissal from the band. The last record from their third wave, the band released a concept album for the first time in their career, which is quite attractive both in illustration terms and lyric-wise. Read more ›› |
Comments
Comments: 26
Visited by: 108 users
| Katatronik Angel of Lust Posts: 1018  |
Yeah, not their best but not bad at least... But in my opinion Hellhammer could be better, I expected more from him.
---- "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown." Howard Phillips Lovecraft
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| W-Lash Metal Master Posts: 2531  |
Can't agree about 8.4. This album couldn't be so high in the top. It's ordinary average stuff. Why? Compare it to other DB albums...What's so good in this one? Double drumming all the time was the first impression and i didn't change my mind till the end of it. All songs were like one - no visible difference.
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| Arian Totalis The Philosopher Posts: 3351  |
hey man I like it, just how it is 
---- "For the Coward there is no Life For the hero there is No Death" -Kakita Toshimoko "The Philosopher, you know so much about nothing at all." _Chuck Schuldiner.
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| Infurnace Posts: 948  |
It isn't a bad album at all, but I must say that I think they are getting a bit to commercial, and I don't like that. I would rate it an 8.
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| Arian Totalis The Philosopher Posts: 3351 |
They've actually been comercial for a while dude, ever since death cult armegeddon, but I still think that they play good music.
---- "For the Coward there is no Life For the hero there is No Death" -Kakita Toshimoko "The Philosopher, you know so much about nothing at all." _Chuck Schuldiner.
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| +{Jonas}+ I R Serious Cat Posts: 4955  |
IMo they've been comercial since Enthrone Darkness Triumphant...
---- "Nobody wants to be the weird kid, you just end up being the weird kid. You don't know how you ended up getting there" - Rob Zombie http://jonas-bs.deviantart.com My dA, mainly photography, go check it out!
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| Belphegore Account deleted |
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| Arian Totalis The Philosopher Posts: 3351 |
I dunno, it's part of how they planned out the album I guess.
---- "For the Coward there is no Life For the hero there is No Death" -Kakita Toshimoko "The Philosopher, you know so much about nothing at all." _Chuck Schuldiner.
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| Witcher Posts: 46  |
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| Sepulchre Lord Hypnos Posts: 190  |
I would still say Enthrone Darkness Triumphant is their best work, but I would give this album best album of 2007. 
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| Arian Totalis The Philosopher Posts: 3351 |
Eh, not even CLOSE to best of 07........but yeah, it's a good album.
---- "For the Coward there is no Life For the hero there is No Death" -Kakita Toshimoko "The Philosopher, you know so much about nothing at all." _Chuck Schuldiner.
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| Bsquared Posts: 33 |
@ Arian Totalis Rofl, how can you even call this commercial. Ask a random person on the street outside if they ever heard of "dimmu borgir". I bet you most of em, if not all, won't know wtf you're talking about  OK album btw, not their best indeed, but it's allright.
---- http://www.last.fm/user/Hobflop
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| MathC Account deleted |
MathC
Account deleted Written by Bsquared on 14.08.2008 at 14:11 No. Everyone heard of Dimmu Borgir. btw this album is exactly what Dimmu is going for nowadays. Uninspired pseudo black metal where emphasis is put on production rather than songwritting.
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| the napalm rain Posts: 26  |
In "the foreshadowing furnace" drums are awsome, after 4:08 it is getting impressive, but certainly sounds like there is nothing natural in the album. However the album is great with its production. By the way it's good to see you back Hellhammer but I prefer listening Spiritual Black Dimensions:)
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| W-Lash Metal Master Posts: 2531 |
What does concept album means in this case? Usually it means brand new ideas. But in this case? Did you hear something? I didn't.
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| Arian Totalis The Philosopher Posts: 3351 |
Written by W-Lash on 19.12.2008 at 13:16 A concept album doesn't necesserily mean new or experimental ideas, it just means that album follows a particular concept. Often times, concept albums will tell a story about someone, and that's exactly what this is, a story of a priest who eventually follows the path of satan 
---- "For the Coward there is no Life For the hero there is No Death" -Kakita Toshimoko "The Philosopher, you know so much about nothing at all." _Chuck Schuldiner.
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
Written by Arian Totalis on 20.12.2008 at 03:22 Actually the concept here is that every song title starts with "The" 
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| Arian Totalis The Philosopher Posts: 3351 |
Lolz, yes, very true
---- "For the Coward there is no Life For the hero there is No Death" -Kakita Toshimoko "The Philosopher, you know so much about nothing at all." _Chuck Schuldiner.
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| Uirapuru Liver Failure Posts: 2955  |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 20.12.2008 at 03:28 It is silly, but I like this kinda stuff (the ''The''s). That ''something more'' in the aesthetic of the album gives an air of elegance.  Too bad the music didnt have this ''something more'', this album is just good. Even Shagrath's voice (that is perfect for this kind of music) has also been more impressive than this.
----  ---- member of the true crusade against old school heavy metal, early 80s thrash, NWOBHM, traditional doom, first and second wave black metal, old school death metal, US power metal, 70s prog rock and atmospheric doomsludgestoner. o/
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| Darkside Momo Retired Elite Posts: 9089  |
As far as the story's concerned, I'd like to know how much they were inspired by Sabbat's Dreamweaver. The story, inspired by the book The Way Of Wyrd, is based on the same ideas, the only difference is that the young priest turns pagan and not evil.
---- My Author's Blog (in French)  "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
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| Lord_Regnier Posts: 1469  |
Written by [user id=34268] on 14.08.2008 at 15:06 I think it's a good way to describe Dimmu Borgir. By the way, DB is as commercial as BM can be (though I would call it PSEUDO BM, indeed, and not BM). To the guy who said it wasn't commercial: every kid who worships Shitknot and the likes here also knows Dimmu Borgir. And I see lots of Dimmu Borgir shirts wandering the streets.
---- "Why would we fear death, when life is so much more frightening?"
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| METALVIKING107 Posts: 8 |
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| Arian Totalis The Philosopher Posts: 3351 |
Written by METALVIKING107 on 12.11.2009 at 19:14 what does that have to do with the review? Or even the band for that matter?
---- "For the Coward there is no Life For the hero there is No Death" -Kakita Toshimoko "The Philosopher, you know so much about nothing at all." _Chuck Schuldiner.
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| Sulac Posts: 242  |
Hehehe, this is a silly question: any of the songs on here not about killing god and worshipping Satan? These guys have an amazing sound, but I refuse to listen to such music.
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| M C Vice ex-polydactyl Posts: 3415  |
Written by Sulac on 06.08.2010 at 23:59 Yeah ,there's an instrumentle about 3 quarters through the album.
---- "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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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62135  |
Hihi concept album, it actually can be good horror movie make from that concept.
---- 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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