Kev Rowland Can it really be more than 20 years since One of Norway’s most creative black metal bands released ‘Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia’? At the time they had gone through some artistic and personnel changes which would shape their future, with the arrival of bassist/singer ICS Vortex, drummer Nicholas Barker of Cradle of Filth and new guitarist Galder fitting in with Shagrath, Mustis and Silenoz. To celebrate the 20th+ anniversary, towards the end of 2022 Nuclear Blast released a limited edition 3 LP set containing remixed and remastered versions of the original 13 songs (as it is includes the bonus songs from the Japanese edition), with another LP (called ‘Dust Of Cold Memories’) which includes extensive bonus material, which includes the pre-production of the album and instrumental rehearsals.

Although I personally do not view this as important as the next album, ‘Death Cult Armageddon’, the addition of ICS Vortex to the band was a major step forward, along with the strong use of real orchestration as opposed to producing it on keyboards. There are some who feel this period of the band does not compare to their early days, bit for me this was when they were at their most interesting, challenging the norms on what was expected from Norwegian Black Metal, and forcing it into the mainstream without ever losing any of the power and atmosphere. Like many, I got this at the time so the question must be is it worth buying it again? Well, it has been remixed and remastered and the sound has been made punchier, plus it is available on vinyl, which is always nice. The third LP is very much for fans only but given they will be the ones getting this I guess that is okay.

arcane-beautiful After pretty much progressing their sound away from kvlt black metal standards, the band decided to take their music to the next zenith...with the help of an orchestra.

Yes. This is the start of Dimmu's collaborations with orchestras and in my opinion it is their best album to date and a very underrated one to say the least.

Ok...this song may not have an instant classic tune on it like “Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse” or “Gateways”, but as an album I believe this is a more cohesive effort, with a lot of room for experimentation but with a long running thread throughout.

Musically the band are very much on par with this album being the start of their classic line up phase. Very much almost being a supergroup of black metal, for this album the band where able to recruit Old Man's Child mainman Galder, the clean vocalist and bass player from Arcturus I.C.S. Vortex and the old drummer of Cradle Of Filth (who even played on my personal favourite album by Cradle) giving the band one hell of a new sound. One thing I always noticed about this album is that this has to be one of the loudest albums in existence. For some reason, whenever playing this on CD or browsing through it on my Ipod, I always need to turn my headphones down to stop my eardrums from bleeding. A definite winner in the loudness wars I think.

Lyrically the band see a departure from their more fantasy based lyrics and into a world of philosophical Satanism. With existentialism and misanthropic ideas floating about, the band have a created a very meek atmosphere, both lyrically and musically. Some of the language throughout can be heavily metaphorical and may be lost in translation at time. Also, the cover is a marvel to behold as well (as are the inner artwork of the album's booklet).

The opening instrumental is an orchestrated piece entitled “Fear & Wonder.” A beautifully crafted eerie yet beautiful musical moment, it really does start of the nature and emotions of the album to follow.

The album's real opener “Blessings Upon The Thrones Of Tyranny” is a mammoth of a song. With some of Dimmu's most kick ass riffs, the song is a face melter. One of the band's heaviest songs in their entire back catalogue.

The epic “Kings Of The Carnival Creation” is a rather interesting affair, with some cool moving sections throughout. Rather slow in nature at times, it is mainly kept with Shagrath's icy narrative tingling the hairs on the back of your neck.

“Hybrid Stigmata – The Apostasy” is probably one of my personal favourite Dimmu tracks. With some pretty cool moving sections throughout the real highlight comes in the slower moments which have some incredibly beautiful string parts. The real emotional climax can be heard in the middle section with Vortex providing a beautiful vocal performance. An underrated gem and a unknown classic in my opinion.

“Architecture Of A Genocidal Nature” is a very interesting track due to it being one of the only songs I have ever heard Shagrath showing off some melodic vocals. Bit of an oddity, the song is still very twisted and depraved throughout.

The album's lead single “Puritania” is a very interesting moment for the band. Taking in industrial influences and electronic sounds, the song is a rather odd track, with some eerie digitalized vocals from Shagrath throughout.

One of the album's most insane moments can be heard on “Indoctrination.” The main highlight of this track is the orchestral arrangements which can go from Disney esque to Hitchcock like horror in a matter of moments. A real thrill ride of emotions.

The album's closer “Perfection Or Vanity” is one of the most beautiful endings I may have ever heard to an album. A clashing instrumental with soaring strings, it really carries the album into a new zenith, mixing a multitude of emotions throughout.

In conclusion, this is my favourite Dimmu Borgir album and in my opinion an underrated metal classic. Definitly a highlight in the band's career, it really proves the creativity and uniqueness that these guys have brought to the metal world. The cover also has tits on it, which never goes wrong in my books.

8.7/10

Genres: Symphonic Black Metal, Black Metal, Extreme Metal, Symphonic Metal, Industrial, Progressive Metal

Country of origin: Norway

Year of release: 2001