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Though Dimmu Borgir's "best album" is often cited as the chilling "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant", the chaotic and pandemonic "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia", or the melancholic and classic "Stormblåst", I believe that "Spiritual Black Dimensions" shows off the band's most mature songwriting and artistic skills to date. "Spiritual Black Dimensions" is quite synth-laden. This is thanks (mainly) to Mustis, whose debut as the band's keyboardist is on this album. Mustis' style is not so medievally oriented as previous keyboardist Stian Aarstad. Though some people dislike the synth melodies and symphonic feel of the album, it successfully creates quite a dark atmosphere which engulfs the entire disc and submerges the listener into a world of dark musical labyrinths and black melodies. The synth work on this disc is not nearly as orchestral or overbearing sounding as that of "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia" or "Death Cult Armageddon" – it is much more intimate and intensely dark. Nor is it as classically or medievally geared as "Stormblåst". "Spiritual Black Dimensions" strikes the perfect balance between the sorrow and melancholy of older Dimmu Borgir with the chaotic aggression of the band's newer releases. Many piano and organ sounds are used, as opposed to strings, choirs, or orchestra synths.
Aside from the dark satanic feel of the disc, the grand highlight of the album is probably the songwriting. Here Silenoz works perfectly with the other band members to create a masterful work. None of the songs become repetitive or boring at all (which some of Dimmu Borgir's previous albums or songs are perhaps slightly guilty of), and there is absolutely no filler. Every track has memorable melodies and frantic, blasting, pure black metal passages. Shagrath's vocal attack is deadlier, more disgusting, and more evil than ever before. Also, some clean vocals are utilized on this CD (the first time for Dimmu Borgir), and they fit perfectly with the music. The whole album flows beautifully together to weave a dark melodic tapestry. Even those metal fans who do not agree with Dimmu Borgir's lyrical content would likely still love this album for its awe-inspiring darkness. "Spiritual Black Dimensions" embodies the perfect mix of brooding darkness and grandiose epic evil. It is also a (relatively) well-produced album, making it more accessible to those unused to the lo-fi black metal aesthetic, and thus an excellent place to start with black metal in general.
In many ways, "Spiritual Black Dimensions", though perhaps not a recognized fan-favorite, is Dimmu Borgir's crowning achievement thus far. It has none of the weaknesses of their newer albums, and is much more mature and developed than any of the band's older works. Any fan of metal should at least give this album a listen. For fans of symphonic black metal or other Dimmu Borgir CDs, "Spiritual Black Dimensions" is absolutely required material.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Reptile |
| 2. Behind The Curtains Of Night-Phantasmagoria |
| 3. Dreamside Dominions |
| 4. United In Unhallowed Grace |
| 5. The Promised Future Aeons |
| 6. The Blazing Monoliths Of Defiance |
| 7. The Insight And The Catharsis |
| 8. Grotesquery Concealed (Within Measureless Magic) |
| 9. Arcane Lifeforce Mysteria |
: 49.14
| Buy other Dimmu Borgir albums |
