doom

Dimmu Borgir was originally founded as a melodic black metal band in 1993 by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv. The band released an EP in 1994 entitled Inn I Evighetens Mørke (in English:"Into The Darkness of Eternity"). This short EP sold out within weeks, and the band followed up with the 1994 full length album For All Tid. This album featured musical contributions by members of Dødheimsgard and Ved Buens Ende. The initial lineup consisted of Shagrath playing drums with Tjodalv on guitar and Silenoz covering vocals, however this changed before the release of Stormblåst (translates to "Storm Blown") on Cacophonous Records in 1996. Stormblåst received high praise from many melodic black metal fans, and is often regarded as a highlight of the band's career. It is also the last album which features all lyrics written and sung in Norwegian.

After Stormblåst, Dimmu Borgir's career took a sharp turn. Keyboardist Stian Aarstad left the band due to his obligation to serve in the Norwegian army, thus he was not able to participate in the 1996 recording of Devil's Path. That period was also marked by the leave of their bassist Brynjard Tristan and the arrival of Nagash. Stian Aarstad returned for the recording of 1997's Enthrone Darkness Triumphant. On the tour to support the album, he had trouble attending rehearsals and tour dates, and was subsequently fired from the band. Enthrone Darkness Triumphant was a huge success for the band, and was their first release signed to the famous German record label Nuclear Blast. The album was recorded in the Abyss Studios, owned by Hypocrisy's mainman Peter Tägtgren.

After the tour for Enthrone Darkness Triumphant, the band recruited new members Mustis on keyboards and Astennu on second guitar, so that Shagrath could concentrate on vocals.

Dimmu Borgir's following full-length albums Spiritual Black Dimensions in 1999, the first album with clean vocals from Vortex and the last album with Nagash, and 2001's Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, both met critical acclaim.

Despite regular video play on MTV2 and Fuse TV that their follow-up album would receive, the band has stated that they are not "commercially-oriented," and instead, they 'simply wish to spread their message to more people'. In 2003, Dimmu Borgir used their major record label financial leverage to create an album titled Death Cult Armageddon. Sections of the album were recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra to enhance the classical arrangements which have always augmented the band's style. In 2004, Dimmu Borgir headlined the Ozzfest.

In 2005, the band did a complete re-recording of the Stormblåst album, featuring Hellhammer of Mayhem fame as the session drummer. Hellhammer's other notable contributions include the metal bands Arcturus, Shining, Mezzerschmitt, Winds, and The Kovenant, among many others.

Dimmu Borgir's new album, In Sorte Diaboli, was released April 24, 2007. There will also be a special edition version of the album in a boxed case with DVD, with backwards lyrics and a mirror included. The album artwork was released on February 14, 2007 on a promotional webpage for the album [1]. With the release of this album, Dimmu Borgir became the first black metal band with a number one album on the top list. [2]

From mid May to mid June 2007, the band was in the Invaluable Darkness Tour with Unearth, Devildriver, and Kataklysm. Dimmu Borgir played the 2007 Download Festival on June 10 and W:O:A 2007 Festival in Germany.

Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) recently suffered a serious injury while on tour with the band. An official statement from the band's myspace stated:

No official statement has been released from the band regarding the permanence of the new line-up. New promotional photos contain no drummer--only the remaining five members of the band. Also, Hellhammer's individual photo has been removed from the band's myspace profile.

Hellhammer is currently on a tour with Mayhem, and has fully recovered from his injury.

Gorgoroth's official web page states that Hellhammer will be joining up with King and Gaahl in 2008

Dimmu Borgir was originally founded as a melodic black metal band in 1993 by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv. The band released an EP in 1994 entitled Inn I Evighetens Mørke (in English:"Into The Darkness of Eternity"). This short EP sold out within weeks, and the band followed up with the 1994 full length album For All Tid. This album featured musical contributions by members of Dødheimsgard and Ved Buens Ende. The initial lineup consisted of Shagrath playing drums with Tjodalv on guitar and Silenoz covering vocals, however this changed before the release of Stormblåst (translates to "Storm Blown") on Cacophonous Records in 1996. Stormblåst received high praise from many melodic black metal fans, and is often regarded as a highlight of the band's career. It is also the last album which features all lyrics written and sung in Norwegian.

After Stormblåst, Dimmu Borgir's career took a sharp turn. Keyboardist Stian Aarstad left the band due to his obligation to serve in the Norwegian army, thus he was not able to participate in the 1996 recording of Devil's Path. That period was also marked by the leave of their bassist Brynjard Tristan and the arrival of Nagash. Stian Aarstad returned for the recording of 1997's Enthrone Darkness Triumphant. On the tour to support the album, he had trouble attending rehearsals and tour dates, and was subsequently fired from the band. Enthrone Darkness Triumphant was a huge success for the band, and was their first release signed to the famous German record label Nuclear Blast. The album was recorded in the Abyss Studios, owned by Hypocrisy's mainman Peter Tägtgren.

After the tour for Enthrone Darkness Triumphant, the band recruited new members Mustis on keyboards and Astennu on second guitar, so that Shagrath could concentrate on vocals.

Dimmu Borgir's following full-length albums Spiritual Black Dimensions in 1999, the first album with clean vocals from Vortex and the last album with Nagash, and 2001's Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, both met critical acclaim.

Despite regular video play on MTV2 and Fuse TV that their follow-up album would receive, the band has stated that they are not "commercially-oriented," and instead, they 'simply wish to spread their message to more people'. In 2003, Dimmu Borgir used their major record label financial leverage to create an album titled Death Cult Armageddon. Sections of the album were recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra to enhance the classical arrangements which have always augmented the band's style. In 2004, Dimmu Borgir headlined the Ozzfest.

In 2005, the band did a complete re-recording of the Stormblåst album, featuring Hellhammer of Mayhem fame as the session drummer. Hellhammer's other notable contributions include the metal bands Arcturus, Shining, Mezzerschmitt, Winds, and The Kovenant, among many others.

Dimmu Borgir's new album, In Sorte Diaboli, was released April 24, 2007. There will also be a special edition version of the album in a boxed case with DVD, with backwards lyrics and a mirror included. The album artwork was released on February 14, 2007 on a promotional webpage for the album [1]. With the release of this album, Dimmu Borgir became the first black metal band with a number one album on the top list. [2]

From mid May to mid June 2007, the band was in the Invaluable Darkness Tour with Unearth, Devildriver, and Kataklysm. Dimmu Borgir played the 2007 Download Festival on June 10 and W:O:A 2007 Festival in Germany.

Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) recently suffered a serious injury while on tour with the band. An official statement from the band's myspace stated:

No official statement has been released from the band regarding the permanence of the new line-up. New promotional photos contain no drummer--only the remaining five members of the band. Also, Hellhammer's individual photo has been removed from the band's myspace profile.

Hellhammer is currently on a tour with Mayhem, and has fully recovered from his injury.

Gorgoroth's official web page states that Hellhammer will be joining up with King and Gaahl in 2008

[edit] American/classic power metal

American power metal emerged in 1980s America as an offshoot of heavy metal and speed metal. It is usually fast, straightforward and somewhat heavy and aggressive, but with a distinct epic 'fighting' feel. Keyboards never take a major role in this style, with the focus on vocals and riffs. The music is very similar to its influences but coined the term 'power metal' and was vital in inspiring the later melodic power metal movement. Europe has its own bands playing in a very similar style such as Grave Digger.
Main Influences: Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, Accept, Savatage
Examples: Manowar, Jag Panzer, Crimson Glory, Metal Church

[edit] European/melodic power metal

Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1, an important album in the development of Power metal.

This style emerged in 1980s Europe with Germany's Helloween and Finland's Stratovarius with a strong focus on melody and uplifting, positive themes. Helloween mixed fast palm muted speed metal riffs with high pitched clean vocals and guitar inspired by bands like Iron Maiden. Stratovarius further developed this melodic direction by making heavy use of keyboards and neo-classical guitar solos. This genre branched and spread over Europe and into most of power metal's subgenres, incorporating further influences from classical and folk music and reinforcing the high fantasy imagery as well as sometimes developing a more emotional, romantic edge. The style has become one of the largest metal subgenres (outside the alternative metal movement) and its popularity is far from waning. It should be noted that America also has its share of European style power metal bands, an example of which includes Kamelot.
Main Influences: Rush, Scorpions, Rainbow, Europe
Examples: Blind Guardian, HammerFall, Sonata Arctica, Gamma Ray, DragonForce

[edit] Extreme power metal

The harsh vocals and aggressive feel of melodic death metal mixed with with the neo-classical guitar and keyboard melodies of power metal. It is often debated whether these bands can truely be called power metal as many see melodic singing as what most sets power metal apart from extreme metal. This genre is heavily based in Finland.
Examples: Children of Bodom, Norther, Wintersun

[edit] Folk-power metal

There are some folk metal and viking metal bands that take more influence from power metal then the darker atmosphere of black metal and some bands go as far as to replace extreme metal screaming with melodic singing. Lyrics may cross into both power metal and folk metal, sometimes featuring themes of both nature and fantasy. The genre may cross into extreme power metal.

Influences: Skyclad
Examples: Elvenking, Falconer, Ensiferum, Turisas

[edit] Prog-power metal

Music that combines the long instrumental passages and unusual time signatures of progressive metal like Dream Theater with the uplifting vocals and neo-classical guitar and keyboards of power metal. Lyrics often are more introspective than the optimistic fantasy based lyrics of typical power metal.

Influences: Savatage, Dream Theater, Watchtower
Examples: Symphony X, Evergrey, Angra, Kamelot,

[edit] Symphonic power metal

Power metal bands that make extensive usage of instruments normally found in classical music or keyboards imitating them similar to symphonic metal. These additional elements are often used as key elements of the music when compared to normal power metal, contributing not only an extra layer to the music, but a greater variety of sound. Keyboard heavy bands such as Sonata Arctica who use their keyboards simply as synthesizers without an orchestral sound are not truly part of this genre.

Influences: Stratovarius
Examples: Rhapsody of Fire, Fairyland, Nightwish

[edit] Thrash-power metal

Power metal with musical influences from thrash metal. The high clean vocals and melodies of power metal are always retained (setting the genre apart from extreme power metal), but often with aggressive riffing, some shouted vocals and lyrical themes inherited from Thrash Metal

Influences: Metallica
Examples: Iced Earth, Nevermore, Demons & Wizards

[edit] Epic metal

Heavy metal with fantasy/warrior themes or an overall epic feel to the instruments. The term is usally accociated with bands whose with musical connections to power metal. However, it is also applied to other heavy metal genres, most commenly early doom metal like Candlemass and Cirith Ungol, gothic metal like Tiamat and Therion, and viking metal like Finntroll.

Influences: Rainbow
Examples: Manilla Road, Virgin Steele, Cirith Ungol, Bal-Sagoth