Metal Storm logo
Dimmu Borgir - Enthrone Darkness Triumphant review



Reviewer:
9.1

1147 users:
8.71
Band: Dimmu Borgir
Album: Enthrone Darkness Triumphant
Style: Black metal
Release date: May 1997


01. Mourning Palace
02. Spellbound (By The Devil)
03. In Death's Embrace
04. Relinquishment Of Spirit And Flesh
05. The Night Masquerade
06. Tormentor Of Christian Souls
07. Entrance
08. Master Of Disharmony
09. Prudence's Fall
10. A Succubus In Rapture
11. Raabjørn Speiler Draugheimens Skodde [bonus]

In this review I want to voice my opinion about one of the best metal albums of all time.

First of all, changes after the previous albums are conspicuous enough to be mentioned. If we want to categorize Dimmu Borgir albums, there are four periods: The first wave (1993-1996), the second wave (1997-1999), the third wave (1999-2009) and the fully orchestral and choral era. This record is the beginning of Dimmu Borgir's second wave.

The guitars are more melodious and not too sharp in sound, unlike the two previous records.The keyboard has a mellifluous sound this time, atmospheric like Stormblåst and melodic as a new signature. For those who have played it, Korg X5D's sound is easily recognizable. Drums are quite good and tangible; also this is the first time that we see Nagash. If you have listened to The Kovenant's early albums, you can easily observe his impact on this record. "Bizarre Cosmic industries" in Nexus Polaris is something I want to refer to as an example.

One of the key elements of many successful extreme bands has been Peter Tägtgren as a producer, which surely can be found in this record. Shagrath's voice is unnecessarily high-pitched, which personally I do not go after it that much, and I prefer his later vocal styles.

"Mourning Palace" and "Spellbound By The Devil" each contain three different phases. The main riff, a long bridge and an epic ending. "In Death's Embrace" and "Entrance" are those brilliant pieces that we can talk about for many times.

In this album we have some solos for the first time in a Dimmu Borgir record, one in "Spellbound By The Devil" and one in "A Succubus In Rapture"; the second one is really melodious and dynamic in a way that warms the listener up before it starts with some marching drums and guitar fillers, just awesome (this track is a winner!!!).

Finally, everything in this record is a sign of good things to come in the future, and to be honest a good record that we can barely point out weak points.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 9
Songwriting: 9
Originality: 9
Production: 7

Written by TheH2K | 02.06.2020




Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.

Guest review by
Lord TJ
Rating:
9.5
Enthrone Darkness Triumphant had been recorded and produced in January 1997 at Abyss Studios, which is located in Sweden. This was Dimmu Borgir's first release through Nuclear Blast records, as well as their first album to contain English lyrics. This album, to my knowledge is highly acclaimed, and their best selling as far as I know, from what I have read in other reviews and statistics. It is quite a milestone and had been a huge stepping stone for for the band, as it contains more profound musical structures. The melody in several songs, especially the opening for 'Mourning Palace' is quite superb sounding. The dark elements are more vivid, yet hellishly eerie than what they had shown in previous releases. If you don't believe me check out 'Relinquishment Of Spirit And Flesh'. Clearly what stands out in this album is the band's musicality, they display great musicianship, with far more structured songs. Check out, 'Spellbound By The Devil' as a grand example to hear how their collaboration seemed to take a great step forward.

Read more ››
published 18.10.2007 | Comments (13)

Guest review by
Windrider
Rating:
8.1
This album is called the greatest work of Dimmu Borgir, the high point in their career, but also the last to contain the norsk black metal style. Indeed it is a very good album, but nevertheless it is already nothing of black metal any more. Enthrone Darkness Triumphant was the first step into the direction of Cradle Of Filth, this can clearly be heard in the new production and songwriting style. But to keep unique in a way, Dimmu Borgir decided to fill the gap between black and symphonic with synth sounds. If you compare this album to their former effort Stormblåst, it is hard to believe that you listen to the same band with only one year difference.

Read more ››
published 08.01.2011 | Comments (4)


Comments

Comments: 1   Visited by: 30 users
02.06.2020 - 17:53
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
First 2 are classic then band are cell outs even write good music, but I miss songs about norvegian forest, frost, snow and nature as they write now about st. Ann
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...

Hits total: 821 | This month: 11