Dimmu Borgir's latest album, Grand Serpent Rising, is a return to form for the Norwegian black metal band. After a few albums that felt over-blown and mainstream, this record strips things back to their essentials, bringing us back in line with their noughties output. What makes this particularly fascinating is the band's ability to blend symphonic and metallic elements in a way that feels fresh and innovative, while still paying homage to their early work. In my opinion, this album is a testament to the band's evolution and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of black metal.
One thing that immediately stands out is the album's title, Grand Serpent Rising. It's a three-named title, which is a tradition for the band, and it sets the tone for the album's themes of transformation and rebirth. The album opens with an extended intro/opening track, Tridentium, which plays against a downpour of morose, orchestral strings. This sets the stage for the rest of the album, which is a journey through the band's musical evolution.
The album's second single, Ascent, launches with a black metal blast beat and raw vocals. It's a hard-hitting, dirty riff that proves the band might have become refined over the years, but they're still a bunch of angry kids at heart. What many people don't realize is that the band's evolution has been a gradual process, with each album building upon the last, rather than a sudden shift in style.
The album's song structures follow a similar pattern, bringing symphonic and metallic elements together. However, Dimmu's playing with the introductory ideas is what gives the album its interest. Classical acoustics give way to As Seen in the Unseen's fierce extremity; piano precursors The Gyptfarer's dark gothic moments, and what sounds like a seventeenth-century lute can surely be heard in the opening bars of Repository of Devine Transformation.
The Exonerated feels straight-up second-wave black metal, making good use of blasting drums, rapid triplets, and strained vocals. Recognizant has Dimmu sounding like Cradle of Filth at times, which is a testament to the band's ability to adapt and evolve. In my opinion, this album is a perfect blend of the band's past and present, with a touch of innovation thrown in for good measure.
Grand Serpent Rising is the first time Dimmu Borgir has written songs in their native Norwegian since Death Cult Armageddon's Allehelgens Død I Helveds Rike back in 2003. The first single, Ulvgield & Blodsodel's folk vibes are emboldened by a ticking clock and windswept atmospherics. Slik Mynnes en Alklkymist combines those folk elements with the orchestral, alongside rampant blasts and even a singalong chorus, to great effect. In my opinion, this album is a perfect example of the band's ability to blend different musical styles and create something truly unique.
The song that stuck out the most to me is Phantom of the Nemesis, a dark, slower-paced tune that launches from a bleak intro and a demonic voice. It gives itself up slowly and resists the urge to go full-Dimmu, opting instead for an incremental use of those familiar tropes. This is a testament to the band's ability to create music that is both familiar and innovative, and it's a quality that has always set them apart from their peers.
In conclusion, Grand Serpent Rising is a must-listen for fans of black metal and a testament to Dimmu Borgir's evolution and commitment to pushing the boundaries of the genre. If you take a step back and think about it, this album is a perfect example of how a band can grow and evolve while still staying true to their roots. In my opinion, it's a masterpiece that will stand the test of time and continue to inspire generations of musicians to come.
