Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian symphonic black metal band from Jessheim, formed in 1993. The band's name is derived from Dimmuborgir, a volcanic formation in Iceland, and translates to "dark cities" or "dark castles/fortresses" in Icelandic, Faroese and Old Norse. Vocalist Shagrath and guitarist Silenoz are the only original members remaining in the band. Dimmu Borgir was founded by Silenoz and Tjodalv, with Shagrath, Brynjard Tristan and Stian Aarstad joining later. In 1994, they released the EP "Inn i evighetens mørke", followed by the full-length album "For All Tid", which included contributions from Vicotnik of Ved Buens Ende and Dødheimsgard and Aldrahn of Dødheimsgard and Zyklon-B. The line-up underwent changes before the release of "Stormblåst" in 1996, which was their last album with all lyrics in Norwegian. Following "Stormblåst", Aarstad left the band due to military obligations, and Brynjard Tristan was replaced by Nagash. The band recorded "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" in 1997 with Nuclear Blast and Abyss Studios. Keyboardist Aarstad returned for the recording but could not tour and was replaced by Kimberly Goss for the 1997/1998 world tour. Dimmu Borgir toured with bands such as In Flames and Dissection during this period. After the tour, Mustis joined on keyboards and Astennu on lead guitar. The albums "Spiritual Black Dimensions" (1999) and "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia" (2001) received critical acclaim. Nagash was replaced by ICS Vortex, Tjodalv left to form Susperia and was replaced by Nick Barker, and Astennu was replaced by Galder. In 2003, the band recorded "Death Cult Armageddon" with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, and performed at Ozzfest in 2004. A re-recorded version of "Stormblåst" was released in 2005 with Hellhammer on drums, including a live DVD from the Ozzfest tour. The seventh studio album, "In Sorte Diaboli", was released in 2007, becoming the first black metal album to reach number one on the Norwegian charts. Following the release, Mustis and ICS Vortex left the band in 2009, citing disputes over songwriting credits. The eighth studio album, "Abrahadabra", was released in 2010, featuring orchestral arrangements by Gaute Storaas and performances by the Kringkastingsorkestret and Schola Cantorum choir. Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw briefly joined the band for the album and tour. In 2011, Dimmu Borgir performed live with a full symphony orchestra and choir in Oslo, and repeated a similar performance at Wacken Open Air in 2012. The live recordings were later released in 2017 as "Forces of the Northern Night". Work on a follow-up album, "Eonian", began in 2013 and faced several delays, with the album eventually released in 2018. Victor Brandt joined as touring bassist. The band began pre-production for their tenth studio album in 2020, and in 2023 announced the cover album "Inspiratio Profanus". A reunion performance with former members Tjodalv, ICS Vortex, and Mustis took place in March 2024. Galder left the band in August 2024. Recording for the tenth studio album, "Grand Serpent Rising", was completed in 2025, with a release scheduled for 22 May 2026. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimmu_Borgir Studio albums For all tid (1995) Stormblåst (1996) Enthrone Darkness Triumphant (1997) Spiritual Black Dimensions (1999) Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia (2001) Death Cult Armageddon (2003) In Sorte Diaboli (2007) Abrahadabra (2010) Eonian (2018) Grand Serpent Rising (2026)