Dimmu Borgir - Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia
Nuclear Blast
Black Metal
12 songs (63'00)
Release year: 2001
Dimmu Borgir, Nuclear Blast
Reviewed by Danny
Album of the month

It finally arrived, it is finally in my CD player; the hellish promo is HERE. My hands are shaking, my throat is dry, my eyes show fear as I am going to hit the play button and enter hell.

After an intro coming straight from The Usual Suspect (beginning of the film), Dimmu Borgir enters with Blessing Upon The Throne Of Tyranny. In two words, Dimmu Borgir is back exactly at the same place where they left us (Spiritual Black Dimensions, previous record). Dimmu Borgir's black metal is perfect and there is not a single soul (or band) able to create this unique atmosphere.

I have found all previous "elements of success" in this new album: harmony, melodies, infernal riffs, infernal drums, unbelievable breaks (with clear voice again), magical keyboard and this black metal voice that tries to afraid me. However, I am now so used to that I don't even realize I am listening to black metal.

Kings Of The Carnival Creation, Absolute Sole Right or Puratania are NEW black metal jewels in Dimmu Borgir' repertoire. The production is again enormous and the sound is again perfect, each instruments being at their right place. Hybrid Stigmata being for me the only real innovative song, with interesting "vocal effects" (indus or indus ?) which opens new doors in Dimmu Borgir's black metal style. Galder (Old Man's Child) has joined the band as new guitarist, creating the "black-metal dream-team".

I have just one complain about this record: the surprise of Spiritual Black Dimensions is gone. Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia is in fact a part II and Dimmu Borgir doesn't afraid anymore. But isn't it the trademark of the best, of the bands who rules? Remember Iron Maiden, Twisted Sister or Judas Priest at the very beginning: they were all "frightening bands". Today they do not even impress our parents. The same "paradox" is applied today to Dimmu Borgir (even though some parents are terrorized to here this kind of metal). Fear is gone! Perfection has replaced fear and this unbelievable black metal opera is unstoppable.

Overall, the album is well-structured and is worth buying if you are into black metal, especially if you like "hellish keyboards" and fast rhythm (guitar & drums)! If you falled in love with their previous work, you can blindly jump on this one. Dimmu Borgir rules and I can hear the whole underground black metal scene shooting "Treacherous!" ... but who is listening.

Last but not least, there is a bonus track Burn In Hell (Twisted Sister cover). When the master salute the teacher!!!

Killing Songs :
Blessing Upon The Throne Of Tyranny, >Puritania
Danny quoted 94 / 100
Daniel quoted 92 / 100
Other albums by Dimmu Borgir that we have reviewed:
Dimmu Borgir - Eonian reviewed by Goat and quoted 75 / 100
Dimmu Borgir - Spiritual Black Dimensions reviewed by Tyler and quoted 88 / 100
Dimmu Borgir - Abrahadabra reviewed by Tyler and quoted 87 / 100
Dimmu Borgir - Gateways (Single) reviewed by Tyler and quoted no quote
Dimmu Borgir - The Invaluable Darkness DVD reviewed by Goat and quoted no quote
To see all 9 reviews click here
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