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Metal Wednesday; But Are They The Best Metal Band? Moggers? Weigh In!

Posted about 1 year ago
I'm a metalhead. The cat's out of the bag. The soundtrack to my life sounds something like a blast beat with screeching guitars.Oddly enough, I can pinpoint my penchant for the brutal back to when my older sister first put on Metallica's ??Kill 'Em All?? and Slayer's ??Reign In Blood?? for me. I couldn't have been much older than 6-7 years old and the effects were lasting.I found myself looking for a match for that original sensation of fright. For a while, you could find me at pretty much any extreme metal show in the Bay Area. This was a dark and lonely path, being a metalhead isn't the easiest of paths to take, but it's one of the more interesting ones.As the years went by and the seasons graced my face I discovered man cannot live on Metal alone (especially not this one). I took a break from metal, broadened my horizons, and made the move towards jazz, bluegrass, klezmer, and just good ol' fashioned rock n' roll although I still can't shake metal. It's always going to be somewhere deep down inside of me where that angst filling youth confused with the world and looking for escape lives. Besides, to shut him off or to quell his voice in any fashion isn't something I don't even want to do. I'm a metalhead, fuck it, might as well keep shit real.With that out of the way...For metal Wednesday, I wanted to bring attention to Mog-o-sphere of a band called Dimmu Borgir. Originally formed in 1993, Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian black metal band that many metalheads have cite as 'the best act in metal today.' Yep, they're in that vein of all the far out church burners, satanist and the lot, but these guy's are different. They sell LOTS of albums and are actually pretty mainstream at this point. In the United States, their most recent album ??In Sorte Diaboli??(Nuclear Blast) debuted at number 43 on the Billboard 200, selling about 14,000 copies in its first week. In their native Norway, the album peaked at Number 1; the first time a black metal band has ever done that anywhere in the world. It also marks the first time a Norwegian act has cracked the Billboard 200 since A-Ha.Dimmu Borgir - The Serpentine OfferingI'm really interested to hear what a lot of ya' all have to say about this group. Would YOU consider them the best act in metal today?
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Comments (32)

  1. Dr Locrian
    Dr Locrian says Hey, you're right about it being a lonely road. It's still almost like saying "I like beating puppies" when you say you like it, without being ironic. I love Dimmu Borgir, but my favorite old school 90's Norwegian band (my gateway drug to darkness) was Darkthrone. Primitive, punky, and oh-so mysterious. But no, I wouldn't say that Dimmu is my personal best. I'd be hard pressed to pick a single best band. In other news, did you hear that Leviathan's "Massive Conspiracy Against All Life" is finally available? And that supposedly it's Wrest's last outing as Leviathan? I'm so sad.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  2. Cody B
    Cody B says I don't know enough about metal to pass judgement, I loved when they double-demonized the vocals, and that dreamy breakdown was a nice tension builder. I used to go to quite a few metal shows when I worked for SPV..great fans. Not my cup of meat overall, but I can dig some metal. I most certainly like loud music and sounds that push the envelope..
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  3. MrFrost
    MrFrost says I'm with Cody B on this one, I wouldn't call myself a real metal fan, but I don't turn away good songs no matter what genre it's in. Especially if it's something loud and crazy that makes me want to break stuff... I can get with it.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  4. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says You, a metalhead? Say it ain't so Sturge, say it ain't so! hahaha Well, we all have our skeletons in the closet. Not wild about this & not a metalhead at all so you can't really count my vote . . . .
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  5. earthman
    earthman says I bet the drummers of those bands have massive calves, just the fitness alone is worth a mention
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  6. dachmo
    dachmo says Metal Wednesday? What happened to New Wave Wednesday? me so sad. :.(
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  7. UffinGreg
    UffinGreg says NO
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  8. Sturgell
    Sturgell says Earthman- Really! Just think about doing that night after night! These guys are like the body builders of rock n roll
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  9. Cody B
    Cody B says I think New Wave Wednesday is still a go..If someone ever makes a New Wave Post.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  10. dachmo
    dachmo says **Sturg** - Your avatar has always made me wonder did someone snap one of you sitting on the crapper in a bathroom stall, or what actually is going on there? Viva La New Wave Wednesday!!! Stand by for some Kajagoogoo!!! (not really)
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  11. Sturgell
    Sturgell says Yeah, my buddy came in when I was on the can.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  12. Cody B
    Cody B says c'mon, Dach..Kaja! Kaja!
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  13. dachmo
    dachmo says I said "(not really)". I was just trying to get the Metal Headz all wound up.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  14. dachmo
    dachmo says Wow, Sturg! you sit really straight when you're pinchin a loaf. That must be good for your posture.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  15. missedexit
    missedexit says Been a metal fan since the turn of 1979 into 1980, with Motorhead and Iron Maiden, followed by Judas Priest and then into the Bay Area scene and to the present. I do have to say that I'm not a huge fan of Dimmu Borgir, as they're a little too mainstream for me at this point. But I wish them the best of luck.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  16. Sturgell
    Sturgell says Dach- I want you to take pictures of me.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  17. GarageRock
    GarageRock says I'm an old metal-head from WAY back, before the term existed! I saw Slayer on the "Show No Mercy" tour, Motorhead touring behind "Iron Fist", Judas Priest OPENING for Blue Oyster Cult etc....so I know my shit. This crap, to me isn't true metal. When the genre started, and through it's heyday, the vocals were IMPORTANT! It wasn't this voice-box shit that you can't even understand. Think of Halford, Dickinson, Tate etc...these are some of the guys that put "metal" on the map, and they were EXCELLENT singers. Even dudes like Lemmy and Tom Araya made an attempt to sound good, but this newer generation of guys don't even try. I could hook up a voice box and sound exactly like this dude, and I can't sing for shit. Sorry, but the musicianship isn't the only thing that matters.....the vocals ruined this clip for me. "City Of Evil" by Avenged Sevenfold is the best TRUE metal I've heard in years, hands down. Just my opinion...whatever you dig is cool.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  18. Sturgell
    Sturgell says Nah, right on Garagerock! I appreciate your opinion and you bring up some valid points. Whereas I respect the musicianship of Dimmu, I agree, the vocal styling of the genre fall flat. thanks for weighing in everyone. It kicks ass to be able to get the opnions of so many folks in such a short time. sure, I'm bias, but Mog fuckin' rocks.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  19. Scotch
    Scotch says Never could get into Dimmu Borgir - always seemed... silly and contrived to me.
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  20. ROCKNROLLPIMP
    ROCKNROLLPIMP says NOTHING TOUCHES: ALL THE REST IS KINDERGARTEN
    Permalink posted 03/26/2008
  21. poebegone
    poebegone says i'm no metalhead either tho it turns out i've known many in my life. my non-expert opinion is it's the familiar metal sound but really symphonic, too. (prog?) hence, sales, maybe. good post, Sturge. keep on keeping it real.
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  22. BelovedListener
    BelovedListener says Wow... so, I'm a little late on the replying here, and I don't want to just rehash what everyone else has said. ^_^ However... I think I will anyway. 1) METALHEADS UNITE! I always feel a little alone when I listen to metal because not many people can appreciate it. I know I have to do it with headphones or when my roommate isn't in the room because she can't stand the stuff... she'll barely listen to most modern rock. Kind of sad. But yeah, I think I was the only girl in middle school who ran out to buy Iron Maiden and Slayer albums. 2) I like Dimmu Borgir. And when I say like, I mean I would be willing to sit and listen to them (as a very, very inexperienced drummer, the double-bass is RIDICULOUS! It's always been my favorite part of a lot of metal bands) 3) I also agree with Garagerock on Avenged Sevenfold and RRP on Tool. Two of my personal favorites.
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  23. TylerDurden
    TylerDurden says Adam -> our stories are one and the same -> maybe 7-8 years old, I heard kill 'em all, and cowboys from hell, reign in blood, mixed with mom & dad's Ozzy albums -> I was destined for metal -> Though, like you, I have realized my life's blood is for music as a whole, so have since opened up to different music's. The metal road was tough, arduous, but ultimately rewarding due to where it led me musically and attitude wise, I'll never be able to shake the desire for metal nor do I want to shake it! Dimmu Borgir -> one of the finer specimen's to come from the Swede-like countries. But can I justify calling them the best? Yes, and no, and I'll tell you why. As an old school metal-head, I can't lower my standards for these new bands, but at the same time, when you say 'the best metal act of today' I can see the different aspects to account for -> performance, message, sales, uniquity, and arrangement -> to which I can say Yes, they are one of the best of the moment.
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  24. TylerDurden
    TylerDurden says I know Dimmu Borgir are not actually a new band, but recently came into 'mainstream'. I like BFMV -> one of my favorites of the moment. A7X is doing it well as of late, even though I am not too into their new album as much as the previous 3. Maybe my tastes don't go much into the prog/black metal genre, but still love to listen to it, just can't really consider any of them 'favorites'
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  25. RGM
    RGM says Have to go with Keith here, of course TOOL at this point in the game seem more like a modern prog\rock band to me. One of the best live shows I've seen. Can't really get into Dimmu Borgir myself. Other than TOOL this one of favorite bands right now. I've heard TOOL are into these guys.
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  26. RGM
    RGM says Wait! One more for the road!
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  27. Doomsayer2001
    Doomsayer2001 says I'll have a... Dimmu Borgir with extra mustard and... hold the onions. Actually... just forget the whole order. Dimmu Borgir... BLAH!
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  28. Scotch
    Scotch says Mmm, hamBorgir... I'll have a "Double-Double":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger_menu_items, animal style.
    Permalink posted 03/28/2008
  29. River Lethe
    River Lethe says MOG has a few more metal-lovers than it did back in '06! Not really a fan of Dimmu myself, but they're ok. Actually, black metal isn't a sub-genre I'm really into. There's a French band called Deathspell Omega that's pretty disturbing, in a good way. The last Hate Eternal album is intensely brutal (though they're more death metal than black metal). Saw Behemoth live last summer, and they put on a good show, though I'm not a big fan of them either. I'd have a hard time picking who's best right now, and to me comparing bands like Dimmu to bands like Meshuggah, Tool, A7X, etc. is like comparing apples to oranges (or maybe knives to bombs?).
    Permalink posted 03/28/2008
  30. Lighter Dusk
    Lighter Dusk says Short and to the point...There are many better Heavy Metal bands, and even a few better in the Death Metal/Black Metal genre, but Dimmu Borgir is top tier Scandinavian Metal deserving to sit atop it's style with At The Gates and Tiamat. My opinion...take it or leave it. -Dusk
    Permalink posted 04/09/2008
  31. Sturgell
    Sturgell says Be sure to check out my concert review of these guys, too http://mog.com/Sturgell/blog_post/157701
    Permalink posted 04/26/2008
  32. Black Metal Gods
    Black Metal Gods says

    I  saw them in Orlando, October 10th with the "Blackest Of the Black Tour" an outstanding performance. They more than delivered "Live" and they continue to develope musically. The music is fast, heavy a form of rage in the vocals. Some bands are what i would call timeless, I would say this band is one of them.

    Permalink posted 11/09/2008

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