Black Metal History Month- Into the Dark Castle : Dimmu Borgir's "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant"

With this album, we have Shagrath is on the mic, so things are now falling into place. There is a big difference, a huge leap in the refinement of sound. Took two albums to get it all dialed in. By the time we get to "Spellbound By the Devil," it just feels like Dimmu. Not sure how much of a difference bassist Nagash really made joining the bandd it jsut sounds like everyone was focused doiung what they should have been doing, but needed time to figure it out. 

While the album sounds great, they had not perfected writing riffs as hooky as those to come, as it is not until "The Night Masquerade" that things begin to stand out after "Spellbound By the Devil."  Most of the album is dominated by the really tight-picked flurry of buzzing guitar. It's more technical than the first album, but I might prefer the more traditional metal approach of the first album. Shagrath's personality is the winning touch with his vocals and the lock-in on "Tormentor of Christian Souls." 

They are more focused and deliberate with "Entrance."Howwever they give in to the need for spped on the rapid fire "Master of Disharmony," and it is not as memorable, even when they slow down and get their feet under them going into the solo section. But it's pretty impressive that they have a guitar solo at this juncture in their career; it was a growth that showed there was more melodic depth. "Prudence's Fall" has catchier riffing. "A Succubust in Rapture" finds them heading into new areas of melodic guitar playing. The last song has some memorable riffing and is also epic in the manner in which it executes them. This album finds them locking into the direction they will continue to perfect. I will give this album a 9.5