Dimmu Borgir was always the weird one in Norwegian black metal. Unlike bands like Mayhem, Burzum and Darkthrone, or even Taake and Neraines, Dimmu Borgir was always seen as a "latecomer" to the genre. They weren't very well known by other musicians. Worse, their style has often been described, particularly since the release of "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant", as commercial mallcore and gothic rock.
They were often seen as the black metal equivalent of like Cannibal Corpse, a band that had meteoric success... but did so in a way that rubbed the members of the underground in the wrong way.
In the words of Shagrath himself, they were the "black sheep in a community of black sheep". This put them at odds with Euronymous and Fenriz, among others, with whom they exchanged animosity before the relations could eventually improve (with Fenriz, that is).
The Controversial Dimmu Borgir Interview
But Shagrath isn't someone to let petty animosity in the way of himself and his craft. In a recent interview with Antoine Grand, released during the time of "Real Satanic Black Metal", Shagrath - and Silenoz - explain why other black metal musicians had a hard time accepting Dimmu Borgir as "one of them".
Do you feel that Dimmu Borgir still exists within the realm of black metal? Shagrath: Yes and no, I would say. We were always considered the black sheep in this community full of black sheeps [sic]. It's not a problem for us at least. [...] Personally, I still feel connected with the genre but sometimes... they can be closed minded. Silenoz: We would kill covering ABBA or Bee Gees with death vocals, that would be awesome.
The most controversial part of the interview comes when Shagrath is interrogated about the band's association with the NSBM scene, something that goes back to their debut album "For All Tid" released on "No Colours" records.
Shagrath on Dimmu Borgir and Mayhem
This is what both band members had to say about the issue:
Dimmu Borgir has often been associated with controversies, especially in mainland Europe where some of your albums [For All Tid, tn] have been banned. Can you explain why? Shagrath: We have never been involved in the criminal aspect of the black-metal scene. With that said Dimmu Borgir is a band that is much more true than something like Mayhem or Darkthrone. Everyone in the scene knew not to mess with [us]. Silenoz: It's good to be controversial. It creates reactions, and whether it's good or bad reaction, it's still reaction. We don't expect less from people.
When asked about satanism, Shagrath doubles down and claims they are the most evil band in black metal history. This is quite the assertion.
Do you really believe in satanism? Shagrath: It depends what you mean by satanism. We believe that the strong must dominate the weak. We believe that the sword is mightier than the pen. [...] In that regard we are number one. We don't talk much. We act. Silenoz: Each member has his own view on satanism. Some of them don't really pay attention to it, to me it's based on being as evil possible. I like pushing the limits of what is permissive [sic] in music and beyond.
So, is Dimmu Borgir more hardcore than Mayhem? Are they more true than Burzum? That is, at any rate, what Shagrath and Silenoz attempt to claim.
They also promised a new album to be released "very soon", which would be the first major Dimmu Borgir release since "Eonian" back in 2018. Can they live up to the image they have created around themselves? Time will tell...
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