DIMMU BORGIR

Biography
Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian symphonic black metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1993. "Dimmu Borgir" means "Dark Cities" or "Dark Fortresses" in Icelandic and Old Norse. The name is derived from a volcanic formation in Iceland, Dimmuborgir.
For All Tid and Stormblåst
Dimmu Borgir started as a melodic black metal band in 1993. Formed by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv, the band released an EP in 1994 entitled Inn i evighetens mørke ("Into the Darkness of Eternity" in English). 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 backing 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.

Enthrone Darkness Triumphant
After Stormblåst, Dimmu Borgir's lineup took a sharp turn. Keyboardist Stian Aarstad left the band due to his obligation to serve in the Norwegian army, thus being unable to participate in the 1996 recording of Devil's Path. That period was also marked by the departure of their bassist Brynjard Tristan and the arrival of Nagash. Stian Aarstad returned for the recording of 1997's Enthrone Darkness Triumphant. While on tour to support the album, he had trouble attending rehearsals and being on tour, and was subsequently fired. Enthrone Darkness Triumphant was a huge success for the band, and was their first release signed to Nuclear Blast, a well-known German record label. The album was recorded in the Abyss Studios, owned by Hypocrisy's frontman Peter Tägtgren.

Spiritual Black Dimensions and Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia
After the tour for Enthrone Darkness Triumphant, the band recruited new members Mustis on keyboards and Astennu on lead guitar. Dimmu Borgir's following full-length albums Spiritual Black Dimensions in 1999 and 2001's Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, both met critical acclaim.[citation needed]. However, a new line-up change occurred between the two albums; Nagash quit and was replaced by new bassist/clean singer ICS Vortex, as well as Tjodalv leaving (due to his family commitments, and to form the subsequent band Susperia), only to be replaced with Nicholas Barker, fresh out of Cradle of Filth. Astennu was fired from his guitar duties as well due to incompatibility (reportedly, he was speaking ill of the band behind their backs and wanted them to be a Morbid Angel cover band)

Death Cult Armageddon
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 record 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. However, in multiple interviews Shagrath mentions the many troubles and shortcomings that came along with using the orchestra from Prague. Two full weeks of studio work were spent cleaning up the mistakes. On their following album the band decided to not use a live orchestra instead leaving the duty mostly to the band's keyboardist, Mustis, in the studio. In 2004, Dimmu Borgir headlined Ozzfest.

In 2005, the band did a complete re-recording of the Stormblåst album, featuring Hellhammer of Mayhem fame as the session drummer. The album also featured a dvd with a live performance from the 2004 Ozzfest tour.

In Sorte Diaboli
Dimmu Borgir's newest album, In Sorte Diaboli, was released April 24, 2007. A special edition version was released in a boxed case with a DVD, backward-printed lyrics, and a mirror. The album artwork was released on February 14, 2007 on a promotional webpage for the album. This album features the drumming of Hellhammer of Mayhem, who had to leave the band in mid tour in 2007 because of a neck injury, resulting in limited movement of his right arm. With the release of this album, Dimmu Borgir became the first black metal band with a number one album in their native country.

Discography
* 1994: For All Tid
* 1996: Stormblåst
* 1997: Enthrone Darkness Triumphant
* 1999: Spiritual Black Dimensions
* 2001: Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia
* 2003: Death Cult Armageddon
* 2005: Stormblåst MMV
* 2007: In Sorte Diaboli

Band members
Current line-up
* Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) – vocals, synthesizer (1993–), guitar (1995-1997, 2005 in Stormblast MMV), drums (1993-1995), bass guitar (2005 in Stormblast MMV)
* Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) – guitar (1993–), backing vocals (1994–1996, 2005 in Stormblast MMV)
* Mustis (Øyvind Mustaparta) – keyboards, synthesizer (1998–)
* ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs) – clean vocals (1998–), bass guitar (1999–)
* Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen) - lead guitar (2000–)
* Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) – drums (2005–on hiatus)
* Daray (Dariusz Brzozowski) - drums (live) (Blackest of the Black 2008[2], 2009–)[3]

Former members
* Brynjard Tristan (Ivar Tristan Lundsten) – bass guitar (1993–1996)
* Stian Aarstad – keyboard (1993–1997)
* Nagash (Stian Arnesen) – bass guitar, backing vocals (1996–1999)
* Tjodalv (Kenneth Åkesson) – drums (1995–1999), guitar (1993–1995)
* Astennu (Jamie Stinson) – guitar (1997–2000)
* Nicholas Barker – drums (1999–2004)
* Archon - guitar (2000)