The first thing that stands out, even before pressing play, is the album’s length: 70 minutes spread across 13 tracks. Some will find that exhausting, while others will see it as a satisfying amount of material. Personally, I’m not a fan of songs that run longer than five minutes, and overall, this is not an album that is easy to absorb in a single listen. That doesn’t mean the songs lack quality or interest; rather, for me, it simply feels like too much new information to process at once.
Musically, we had already been given a taste of what to expect through the two singles, but there are far stronger songs on the album. There is a clear return to the band’s roots, featuring excellent black metal riffs, fast blast beats, and a dark atmosphere that recalls the Scandinavian scene of the 1990s. The orchestral elements, which may have been somewhat dominant on the previous album, are still present but used with greater restraint. They help create the darkness we seek from Dimmu Borgir without becoming excessive.
Another notable characteristic is the lack of songs built around particularly strong hooks. Combined with the album’s considerable length, this means that while each track reaches its conclusion and provides a positive listening experience, it can be difficult to remember exactly what you have heard afterward.
In my opinion, the Norwegian language fits black metal exceptionally well, and I would have liked to hear more songs performed in Norwegian. Overall, this is an album that requires time to grow on the listener and demands multiple listens before its strengths fully reveal themselves.
Finally, I was somewhat disappointed by Shagrath’s vocal performance, as it felt a bit restrained and lacked the level of aggression I was hoping for. The production is quite good and manages to keep the listener engaged, although it occasionally feels a little overcrowded. In the end, this is a solid album that you will undoubtedly enjoy, but one that does not easily leave you with a particular song lingering in your memory.
♦ 8/10
Christos Kosmidis
