MoMM (65)

I listened to this online & was not expecting to purchase a copy. This acquisition was more of an attempt to supplement the need for grandiose black metal riffing & composition ideas. Saying this upfront because there are (to me) no outstanding numbers in this collection. Songs are mostly unnecessarily lengthy (especially the intros) & patched with orchestration to remind listeners, ardent followers & newbies alike, the Dimmu Borgir identity. However, the staunch listeners would agree that things took a turn in this aspect after Death Cult Armageddon (2003). But this is definitely not a shabby effort. FYI, Grand Serpent Rising is DB's eleventh LP, the first after Galder departed in 2024.

Grand S

Welcoming the weekend in the knowledge that Dimmu Borgir is releasing a new LP today: Grand Serpent Rising. That's 8 years after their last LP & there are only two founding members left in the band. My favourite DB album had always been the re-recorded Stormblast with Hellhammer on drums. The band made it big after Death Cult Armegeddon (2003) which virtually can't be beaten in terms of appeal & musicianship. Along the way, Mustis (keyboards) left & the void in orchestral elements was deafening thereafter. In the mean time, a track off GSR: