Enthrone Darkness Triumphant

About

"Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" is the third studio album by the Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir, released on 30 May 1997 through Nuclear Blast. It was the band's first release on the label and the first album recorded and produced at Abyss Studio in Sweden by Peter Tägtgren. The album was the last full-length release to feature keyboardist Stian Aarstad and the first to feature bassist Nagash. It was also the band's first full-length album with lyrics written entirely in English. In addition, it marked the first album with Shagrath as lead vocalist and the last until "Stormblåst MMV" on which he performed lead guitar dutie. Musically, the album retained elements of the composition and songwriting style heard on the band's previous album, "Stormblåst" (1996), while presenting a more polished and aggressive sound. The release, combined with promotional support from Nuclear Blast, contributed to the band's increased international recognition and commercial breakthrough. "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" was released in several format, including a limited vinyl edition consisting of 300 white copies and 1,000 black copie. In 2002, a deluxe CD edition containing bonus material was issued. The album was also the first Dimmu Borgir release to feature the band's second logo, although the original logo appeared on the back cover of the initial pressing. The lyrics to "Tormentor of Christian Souls" were omitted from the liner note. The tracks "Master of Disharmony" and "Raabjorn speiler Draugheimens skodde" are re-recorded versions of songs previously released on "Devil's Path" and "For all tid", respectively. The album received generally positive reviews from music critic. AllMusic described it as "one of the most important Scandinavian metal discs ever" and referred to it as the band's "unquestioned masterpiece". German magazine Metal Hammer characterized the album as a "majestically bombastic black metal masterpiece". Rock Hard praised its combination of brutality, melody, and atmosphere, while Chronicles of Chaos highlighted its faster and more powerful sound in comparison to "Stormblåst". Metal Review stated that the album demonstrated the band's peak in orchestral and symphonic black metal songwriting and compared Dimmu Borgir to groups such as Cradle of Filth, Arcturu, Emperor, and Borknagar. Some criticism was also directed at the album. Death Metal Underground described it as derivative of earlier bands in the genre and criticized its stylistic direction and orchestration in comparison to "Stormblåst". .

via Last.fm

The Clerk says

Start your shelf to read the full take →