| abstract
| - Symphonic black metal band from Jessheim/Oslo, Norway. Dimmu Borgir was founded in 1993 by Shagrath (Stian Tomt Thoresen) on drums/guitar/vocals, Erkekjetter Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) on guitar/vocals and Tjodalv (Ian Kenneth Åkesson) on guitar, who were joined by Stian Aarstad on keyboards & Brynjard Tristan (Ivar Tristan Lundsten) on bass. Band took its name from an Icelandic name %22Dimmuborgir%22, which stands for %22Dark Castle/Fortress.%22 It is a type of lava formation near Lake Myvatn in Iceland, and according to local legends, a gateway to Hell/Underworld.In 1994 the group recorded and released few demo/rehearsal tapes and a two song EP, %22Inn I Evighetens Morke%22, which combined traditional black metal with a good deal of other styles, including classical & opera. The debut album %22For All Tid%22 was released in 1995, and was followed by %22Stormblåst%22 in 1996. By now Tjodalv had switched from guitar to drums and Shagrath to guitar/vocals. At this point Brynjard Tristan was also replaced by Nagash (Stian André Arnesen) on bass. A four song EP %22Devil's Path%22 was also released in 1996, which saw the band abandon their native Norwegian as performing language.In 1997 the band had signed to Nuclear Blast and released %22Enthrone Darkness Triumphant%22, which ended up being a breakthrough album for the band. By now Shagrath had also taken the lead vocalist position in the band, while Silenoz concentrated solely on guitar playing. The new album, with its improved production values and the band having switched their performing language to English resulted in Dimmu Borgir rising from the underground and achieving more mainstream metal success. The album release was followed by line-up changes as Stian Aarstad quit, or was fired from the band for not being able to tour, but also a new lead guitarist Astennu (James Stinson) joined the group. Aarstad was first replaced by Kimberly Goss, who filled in for live shows, but eventually the band found a new permanent keyboardist in Mustis (Øyvind Johan Mustaparta) in 1998.In 1999 Nagash, Astennu and Tjodalv left the band. Nagash was replaced by ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs), who also performed clean vocals, and a new guitarist was found in Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen Orre), who later became one of the core members of the band. However, since Tjovald left, the group has not had new permanent drummer, but they keep on using session musicians on albums and tours. Throughout the years Nick Barker, Reno Killerich, Tony Laureano, Hellhammer and Dariusz Brzozowski have filled in.In 2009 both ICS Vortex and Mustis independently announced their departure from Dimmu Borgir. Mustis released a statement claiming his disfavor with the band, stating that he was not properly credited for his writing contributions to the band's music, mentioning possibly taking legal action. Dimmu Borgir soon after confirmed the pair's dismissal from the band, releasing a statement explaining why the two were fired. Shagrath, Silenoz, and Galder wrote, %22Funny then, how the new album is halfway finished written already by the rest of us without any of these guys' input, still having all those elements we're known for.On July 8th 2009, the band confirmed that they had tapped Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (Therion, Dream Evil) to replace bassist/clean vocalist ICS Vortex on the band's upcoming album, %22Abrahadabra%22, and world tour. On August 25th it was however announced that Snowy Shaw has left Dimmu Borgir to rejoin Therion. On September 17th, 2010 Dimmu Borgir released the song %22Born Treacherous%22 from their upcoming album Abrahadabra on their official MySpace page. Then on September 24th the band announced they would stream Abrahadabra in its entirety until 7 p.m. EST that evening. The keyboards and bass are currently played by Brat and Cyrus respectively.Current line-up (2016):Shagrath - VocalsSilenoz - GuitarsGalder - GuitarsCurrent live members (2016):Daray ([a2905684]) - DrumsCyrus ([a3907312]) - BassGerlioz ([a176575]) - Keyboards
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