Dimmu Borgir

Dimmu Borgir were founded in Jessheim, Norway, in 1993 by Silenoz and Tjodalv, with Shagrath, Brynjard Tristan and Stian Aarstad joining soon after. The name comes from Dimmuborgir, a field of volcanic formations in Iceland whose name means “dark cities”. Their 1994 debut EP, Inn i evighetens mørke, sold out within weeks, and the albums For All Tid (1995) and Stormblåst (1996) followed.

Enthrone Darkness Triumphant (1997), their first release on Nuclear Blast, was the band’s breakthrough. It was followed by Spiritual Black Dimensions (1999), Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia (2001) and Death Cult Armageddon (2003), the last recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. In Sorte Diaboli (2007) made them the first black metal band to top the Norwegian album chart.

ICS Vortex and Mustis left the band in 2009. Abrahadabra (2010) was recorded with the Norwegian Broadcasting Orchestra and the Schola Cantorum choir, more than 100 musicians and singers in all, and Eonian followed on 4 May 2018. Long-serving guitarist Galder left in August 2024, and Damage (Kjell Åge Karlsen) joined in 2025.

Grand Serpent Rising, the band’s tenth studio album and their first in eight years, was released on 22 May 2026 by Nuclear Blast. Recorded with Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, it has lyrics in both English and Norwegian, their first Norwegian-language songs since Stormblåst MMV (2005).

Current line-up: Shagrath (vocals), Silenoz (guitar), Damage (guitar), Victor Brandt (bass), Gerlioz (keyboards), Daray (drums).