Review of Dimmu Borgir - Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia

The creation of modern metal is indeed no easy feat. The diverse song structures, texturing and turbulent musicianship that is demanded by today's metal fan reaches enormous proportions. Gone are the days of basic rhythms drowned into stale choruses coupled by mid song lead sections only to re-hash the opening verses and chorus to end the tune. Our attention is acute, graced with the need for innovation and remarkable musicianship. Without these standards examined, the state of modern metal would eventually run stale. In turn diminishing the integrity of the artists. In walks the prestige that is Dimmu Borgir. Brandishing modern metal like a warrior would his father's weapon. Intensity driven and intensely focused. Their 2001 release, Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia has unequivocally proved to have the staying power that my tastes crave. Since I have owned this album it has consistently been played above and beyond every other album I have purchased this year. Substantiating their presence in the world of metal as moguls of monstrosity. With gallant intros becoming almost cliché due to the over abundance throughout the metal industry. One could easily attack the opening track off Puritanical entitled Fear & Wonder. To this I say, "name me another black metal band that has employed an actual orchestra to wield the duties of setting the opening tone so gracefully yet so in tune with the key undertones needed to wisp the listener into the world of Dimmu Borgir." The presence of The Gothenburg Opera Orchestra throughout Puritanical intensifies the purity of musicianship interwoven deep in the core of Dimmu's overall crush. The invading subtleties ring true amongst the delivery of decisive texturing. The cruelty in which Dimmu proceed is nothing less of startling. Impeccable performances eventuate by all that grace this album. Nicholas Barker, who has become infamous for the faultless atrocity he befouls from behind the kit. Shagrath's punishing vocals along with the obscurity he and Silenoz have conjured by way of lyric teeters on propensity. Vortex's clean voice accentuates harmoniously throughout. Galder and Silenoz discerningly tear through waves of crush, commanding your fascination and your torn soul. And finally, Mustis. The final component that lifts Dimmu onto the towering throne of metal in which they sit and marvel. The ill-starred mood he creates taunts the song structures with embalmed oddity. Bottom Line: Dimmu Borgir's, Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia is without a doubt MASTERFUL MILLENIUM METAL!

I first heard Dimmu Borgir when I picked up their previous release entitled Spiritual Black Dimensions. I really didn't know what to make of it at first because the music was unlike anything that I'd ever digested before. My wife, who doesn't really listen to metal all that much, thought I was a complete nutcase. She asked me, "What are you listening to 2 CD's at the same time?" When I look at it from a non-metal-minded perspective, I can see where she was coming from. But to me it was like taking the next step in my metal listening career. Enough with the straight forward bullshit already; I was up for something new and different and that is exactly what this band had to offer me. So, after spending many months with that album in my various CD players, I was hooked on the music these guys were providing the current scene. The music Dimmu Borgir plays consists of a powerful drum crush underneath a twin guitar attack providing plenty of crunch and melody. Enhancing this sound is a layer of keyboards strengthening the twisted vibe and vocals that touch on the blackest of blackened growls. Some may say they are reminiscent of Cradle Of Filth, and some might even go as far as calling them clones. I personally think Puritanical makes anything Cradle Of Filth has done seem elementary. A few short months after I bought Spiritual Black Dimensions I was checking out some new tracks displayed at the Nuclear Blast site and came across about 2-3 new songs from this album. I know that Blessings Upon The Throne Of Tyranny was one of them, and if I recall correctly Hybrid Stigmata - The Apostasy was one of the other ones. After hearing these songs I knew immediately that this disc was going to be a valuable asset to my collection. I later found out that "valuable asset" was a complete understatement. Puritanical could easily be the best disc I've added to my collection in the last three years (a close second would be Immortal's At The Heart Of Winter). With their three previous albums having been recorded and produced at Abyss Studios, the band made their way to Studio Fredman to record this new masterpiece. I don't want to take anything away from Peter Tagtgren (Abyss) because he has done excellent work for many, many bands over the past several years, but Fredrick Nordstrom (Fredman) took Dimmu Borgir in and made them sound the way they should have all along. It is because of the sound quality on this disc that every instrument comes across clearly and the individual sound levels are equal. Anyone who doesn't think the sound quality on an album is a very important issue really must not be expecting too much to begin with. Even if the music is good, the production level helps to amplify the meaning of the music in ways that aren't even thought of during the writing process. I believe my brother the Imperial Lizard "Dragon" said that it's the production that either makes or breaks your album. I don't know that I've done this album justice with the words I've laid out for this page thus far, but I assure you that even if you're not into the whole Black Metal scene, this is definitely a disc worth checking out. The drumming attack by Nick Barker is as crushing as any today and the harmonizing guitar style of both Silenoz and Galder is simple yet very much effective. Not only does Shagrath provide his most mature vocal performance to date, but Vortex (formerly Borknagar) compliments the vocal department with an eerie and clean Borknagarian back-up style, and he also provides excellent bass lines throughout. For good quality Black Metal, the keyboards are a must. Mustis provides us with a level of musical talent that completes the finishing touches to this dark feel. This album is a must have for anyone who thinks they're even the slightest bit of a metalhead. Even if you're not, at least give it a listen. You'll be surprised at the talented level of musicianship. Favorite Track: Every song is a keeper!!!

Release Details

Dimmu Borgir

Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia

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