Dimmu Borgir vs In Flames

I have to say that I never cared at all for In Flames early stuff, I got turned onto them when Soundtrack To Your Escape came out by one of my death metal friends who thought I might like it. Took a few listens, but I liked what I heard. Saw them live with Evergrey and Nevermore (Excellent show) opening for them and had a blast. So, I never felt like In Flames "sold out", it was just how where they were musically when I discovered them. I still think Anders needs to grow a little more vocally. His mumbling sometimes frustrates me. But, overall, I like In Flames.

Neither are favorites of mine either, but I will vote In Flames based on their early recordings. Dimmu Borgir are way too pompous for my taste. I can enjoy and appreciate a couple of tracks but I find it hard to listen to a full album. But then again I haven�t listened to every single one of their albums yet. I might find a hidden gem there somewhere.

In Flames

Balthamel wrote: they are very popular for being a black metal band (they even reach to nr 1 in the Norwegian top charts and only Satyricon (another more mainstreem BM band) have done the same,

In Flames for me, though I haven't listened to a full Dimmu album in a few years.

no neither or both choices so haters gonna hate 

two bands are sort of started as "the real thing" and became "softer" over the years and incorporated melodies and choiers into the style one band is Norwegain other is Swedish one is symphonic black metal other is melodic death metal, both are sort of gateway drugs to extremer bands, but also bands who dared to step out of the mold, so to speak.

both incorporate styles from folk, classical and even some progressive leanings (not overwhelmingly though), both also to my opinion have pretty good musicianship, efficiant and varied songs,  (both released their debute in 94 also)