Dimmu Borgir consists of Erkekjetter Silenoz (guitar), , Galder (guitar), , Mustis (synthesizers), Nicholas Barker (drums), , Shagrath (vocals), Simen Hestnæs.
Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian symphonic black metal band whose music has been very popular in several Scandinavian countries and Germany. "Dimmu Borgir" means "Dark Castle" or "Dark Citadel" in Icelandic.
Dimmu Borgir was originally founded in 1993 by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv. The band released an EP entitled Inn I Evighetens Mørke ( 1994) translated to English the title means "Into The Darkness of Eternity". This short EP sold out within weeks, and the band followed up with the full length album For All Tid (1994) the title translates to "For All Time". This album featured musical contributions by members of Dødheimsgard and Ved Buens Ende. Interestingly enough, Shagrath played drums with Tjodalv on guitar and Erkekjetter (translating "arch heretic") Silenoz covering vocals. This lineup changed before the release of Stormblåst (translates to "Storm Blown") in 1996. Stormblåst received high praise from many melodic black metal fans, and is often regarded a highlight of the band's career. It is also the last album which features all lyrics written and sung in Norwegian.
After Stormblåst, Dimmu Borgir's career took a sharp turn. Keyboardist Stian Aarstad left the band due to his obligation to serve in the Norwegian army, thus he was not able to participate in the recording of Devil's Path (1996). When he returned for the recording of Enthrone Darkness Triumphant ( 1997), he had trouble attending rehearsals and tour dates, and he was fired from the band. Enthrone Darkness Triumphant was a huge success for the band, and it was their first release signed to the famous German record label Nuclear Blast. It was recorded in the Abyss Studios, owned by Hypocrisy's mainman Peter Tagtgren.
Dimmu Borgir's following full-length albums Spiritual Black Dimensions ( 1999) and Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia ( 2001) both met critical acclaim. Some fans accused the band of selling out due to the mass audiences which the albums reached.
The band has stated that they are not "commercially-oriented", and instead they simply wish to spread their message of misanthropy and evil to more people. In 2003, Dimmu Borgir used their major record label financial leverage to create a monumental album titled Death Cult Armageddon. Sections of the album were recorded with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra to enhance the classical arrangements which have always augmented the band's style.
