Dimmu Borgir

This is a diverting, yet completely pointless release. I mean, honestly, what were they thinking? Re-record what is considered by many to be their finest work, with only two of the same members intact, clean up the production (a huge no-no for every black metal elitist), throw Mayhem/Winds drummer Hellhammer in for good measure, edit key tracks down unnecessarily, and slap almost unintelligible cover art upon the whole mess? Honestly, with the exception of the improved musicianship, there is very little positive to be said about Dimmu Borgir’s latest cash grab; a shameful thing to accuse them of considering their history of releasing fine symphonic black metal albums such as Enthrone Darkness Triumphant and...yes, the original Stormblast! Completists and the curious may find something to enjoy in the reinterpretations, which are often quite different from their predecessors, particularly in the keyboards. And it must be said: Peter Tagtren’s production is considerably less muddy and reverb-heavy than usual. Ultimately, this serves as a novelty and a curiosity piece only, and brings nothing worthwhile to the Dimmu canon or the genre in general. Only a new full-length as soon as possible will rectify this mess.