Black Metal History Month- Into the Dark Castle -Dimmu Borgir's "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia"

So here we are, closer to the final form of the classic line, the only difference being Nick Barker from Cradle of Filth on drums. Rather than Hellhammer, who I view as a drummer who stands next to Lombardo, Sandoval, and Hoglan as one of the all-time greats. Vortex is not taking over bass duties, and Galder is in the band. But even this lineup sets things on fire with "Blessing Upon the Throne of Tyranny". Shagrath has all the vocal effects dials in perfect, and every riff delivers a concise crunch to make things larger than life.

"Kings of the Carnival Creation" has some theatrical sounds to it that remind me of King Diamond. When it does race off into full blast mode, they have already set the stage for it work dynamically. Then there are songs like "Hybrid Stigmata" which are not only one of the album's best songs butin the top 10 of their most classic songs. It uses all the elements you want from this band in the most grandiose yet catchy fashion ever. While still an effective song, "Architechture of Genocide Nature" is not as catchy.  There are a lot of creepy carnival sounds on this album, a mood that it feels like ICS Vortex brough over from Arcturus. 

The syncopated groove of "Puritania" also makes it one of the band's best songs ever. This balances out songs like "IndoctriNation" where they blast at you more rabidly. Though things unfold in a more melodic manner as the song progresses.  "The Maelstrom Mephisto" starts off in your face and, like the previous song, benefits from dynamics that open up when they slow down. "Absolute Sole Right" is the first song that puts speed first and foremost, and stays relentless with it rather than expanding the dynamic. "Sympozium" expands the dynamics and hit a much better balance. "Perfection or Vanity" has the larger-than-life orchestral outro andd I am not counting the cover of Twisted Sister's "Burn in Hell" even though it is solid because it was a bonue track on later versions. I will give this version a 10. 

 

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