Spiritual Black Dimensions

About

"Spiritual Black Dimensions" is the fourth studio album by Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir, released in 1999 through Nuclear Blast Record. It was the first album to feature keyboardist Mustis and clean vocalist ICS Vortex, and the last to include drummer Tjodalv, guitarist Astennu, and bassist Nagash. It was also the first full-length release on which Shagrath performed exclusively lead vocals without playing an instrument, making it the band's first album recorded as a six-member lineup. The album represented a stylistic shift from the romantic and atmospheric influences of the band's earlier work toward a darker and more aggressive sound. It was the second consecutive Dimmu Borgir studio album recorded at Abyss Studio in Sweden with producer Peter Tägtgren. According to the band, the mixing process proved difficult because of the large number of recorded layer, resulting in two separate mixes being completed during production. The second mix was ultimately selected for release. During the recording session, Astennu also recorded "Mirrored Hate Painting", the second album by his side project Carpe Tenebrum, with Nagash providing vocal. The sessions took place in Abyss Studio B, operated by Tommy Tägtgren, the brother of Peter Tägtgren. A deluxe edition containing bonus material was released in 2004. A separate digipak edition with reflective and holographic cover artwork was also issued without additional track. The album cover artwork was inspired by "The Wounded Angel", a painting by Finnish symbolist artist Hugo Simberg. In 2006, Blender magazine included the cover among its top ten greatest heavy metal album cover. "Spiritual Black Dimensions" received generally positive reviews from music critic. Steve Huey of AllMusic stated that the album demonstrated increased complexity and sophistication in Dimmu Borgir's arrangements and reflected the band's musical progression. The German magazine Rock Hard praised the album's riff, melodie, atmosphere, aggression, and production quality, while also responding critically to accusations from some black metal fans that the band's polished sound represented commercialism or a departure from the genre's tradition. .

via Last.fm

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