As the title suggests there was no support band just two sets of prime Norwegian metal to feast upon the ears. Giving fans the final vote as to which album they would like to hear in its entirety, Enthrone Darkness Triumphant came out on top so the gig began with "Mourning Palace" amid a sea of red light and smoke.
Playing in relatively small venues this was as intimate as it could get and a far cry from the enormodomes Dimmu are used to in their home land. Devoid of pyros and as stripped down a Dimmu show could get, this was an intense experience.
The whole of Enthrone Darkness Triumphant sounded crisp, fresh and as bleak as the day it came out way back in '97. The audience was shrouded in the dark cloak of the Tormentor Of Christian Souls which rumbled on to the album climax of Raabjørn Speiler Draugheimens Skodde.
A quick costume change and they were soon back on the altar of twisted dark heavy melodies. Choosing the option of a greatest hits package for the second hour, they came on amid more atmospheric smoke and vivid screens of light with the faint aroma of incense. Featuring tracks from their last offering Abrahadabra and intensifying the atmosphere a little more, Shagrath performed with all the soul his black metal heart allowed.
With a faultless sound, awesome atmosphere and excellent value for money the encore of Progenies of the Great Apocalypse put the black icing on the cake. With numerous European festivals booked for 2012 this may be the last chance to catch Dimmu Borgir in such small venues, I can't wait to see what's in store for the summer!
Words & Pictures
Mark Davies
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