DIMMU BORGIR
Inspiratio Profanus
Nuclear Blast
2023 brought us so many great albums that it's really hard to choose a favorite. There is one album that I have waited for with bated breath just to see how it may have turned out. While most DIMMU BORGIR fans have been waiting for brand new material from the band, I had gotten the tidbit before the press release came out that there was a cover project in the works that contained bonus tracks and "B" sides from previous albums. Additionally, the band also took on artist favorites that they handpicked to record in tribute to the original artist. The result is Inspiratio Profanus.
DIMMU BORGIR came out of Norway in that third wave of symphonic black metal in the early 1990's and they incorporated not only the best of traditional Norwegian black metal, but they added an ambient flavor to it that was very reminiscent of early EMPEROR. While they were contemporaries of the traditional black metal bands, they took it a step further, and they have now become the forerunners of symphonic Norwegian black metal.
Shagrath and Silenoz are steadfast and loyal to their craft, and have shown us the depth of their creativity, as well as pulling out a few tunes that were unexpected,entertaining, and completely different from anything they've ever done.
2017's Eonian had a mixture of sounds that appealed to an incredibly diverse audience. Previous albums like Abrahadabra, In Sorte Diaboli, and 2003's breakout hit, Death Cult Armageddon, let people know that the band was serious about what they were doing, and that they were serious about black metal.
On this new album, the band has covered BATHORY, CELTIC FROST, DEEP PURPLE, VENOM, TWISTED SISTER, and more, and it was a joy to listen to.
The first video was released and was a cover of VENOM's "Black Metal", the song that takes credit for starting the movement. DEEP PURPLE's "Perfect Strangers" is also a standout. The band's roots and influences are diverse and the bands they chose to cover prove this.
"Burn In Hell" was a strong vehicle for TWISTED SISTER when they recorded it in 1984 and to hear it growled out by Shagrath was interesting. He isn't afraid to pay homage to the bands that stood out loud and proud in the 1980's.
The album has met with mixed reviews, but I think that overall it has been well received by fans. It is something to tide us over until the next original work is released.
The band is working on new material and we hope to have an album from them in the future, whether it be this year or the next, but whatever they do, we know it's going to be good.
I love the band, I love their creativity, and this album was fun. I grew up on the bands that they covered. These are the songs of my generation, and to hear them so lovingly crafted with a black metal twist was fanciful and a pleasure to listen to.
5.0 Out Of 5.0
