20-06-2012 Dimmu Borgir

Venue: Batschkapp, Frankfurt (Germany)
By: Nina Mende

Founded in 1993 by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv and named after unusually shaped lava fields and rock formations east of Lake Mývatn in Iceland, Norway’s DIMMU BORGIR made their debut into the underground metal scene via unofficial rehearsal cassette tapes in 1993.

Inspired by incarnations of black metal from the ‘80s and ‘90s and inspired by the works of classical composers such as Wagner and Dvořák, the band’s music was resplendent in its raw & melodic vocals, somber guitar work, destructive drums, and haunting keyboard melodies. Less than a year later, the band recorded their full-length debut, For All Tid, to wild acclaim. While the band’s reputation gained momentum throughout Scandinavia and the rest of the tape-trading underground world, DIMMU BORGIR focused their energies on recording what would become one of the most essential albums in black metal history, Stormblåst. While sung completely in Norwegian, it catapulted them out of Europe and into international waters. Displaying a marked escalation in their time signatures, DIMMU BORGIR made significant headway in developing a classically influenced sound that would become their intrinsic, defining blueprint.

After releasing a new album they are currently touring through Europe. One city per country. Tonight they played at the Batschkapp in Frankfurt. The fans were already waiting in front of the venue long before it opened. Mostly dressed in black with heavy boots and band shirt the metal fans were stoked to see the band. Dimmu Borgir had no opening act along but instead they played two entire sets themselves. This way they were able to play old and new songs. The audience loved it. Between both sets there was an intermission of about ten minutes. The stage seemed small with the band on stage but Dimmu Borgir has never been a band that moves around too much on stage. The heavy make up and outfits added a dark vibe to the event. Fog and dim light finalized the atmosphere. The show could begin. And the fans went insane. Singing along, banging, and moving to the music. It felt like Christmas to the fans. Almost three hours of Dimmu Borgir. The venue was getting hotter and steamier by the second but no one seemed to care. Instead they sang louder and banged harder. The musicians on stage enjoyed the show, enjoyed performing. The theatrical touch of the sound and stage set up made it all seem a little surreal. More like a play rather than a concert. Simply amazing. Dimmu Borgir is a must see for all metal fans.