DIMMU BORGIR - "SPIRITUAL BLACK DIMENSIONS" (NUCLEAR BLAST)
DIMMU BORGIR - "SPIRITUAL BLACK DIMENSIONS" (NUCLEAR BLAST)
One of the most eagerly anticipated albums of 1999 is probably Dimmu Borgir's "Spiritual Black Dimensions". Quite an honour to live up to - almost impossible, in fact.
"Spiritual Black Dimensions" is very much a natural evolution after "Enthone Darkness Triumphant". The music is recognisably Dimmu Borgir, and several tracks could indeed have been from the "Enthrone..." era. To tell you the truth, the first time I listened to the album I was quite disappointed. "Enthrone..." was love at first sight. After the first 10 seconds I already revelled in aural ecstasy. Not so with "Spiritual Black Dimensions". However, after a few listens the music quickly starts to grow. Certain tracks crystallise into small black metal gems - tracks like "Behind the Curtains of Night - Phantasmagoria", "The Blazing Monoliths of Defiance", "The Insight and the Catharsis" and the closer, "Arcane Lifefore Mysteria". The band seem to have grown lyrically as well, moving a bit in the direction of Cradle of Filth (though Dimmu have a long road ahead of them to beat Danni's lyrics).
Dimmu's latest album is a fine one, another monument of what 'accessible' black metal can be like these days. Definitely "top 10 of 1999" material is what we have here.
Click here to check out or buy this CD
RK
Written March 1999