By: Anders

Posted: Jan 3, 2006

9 years after the initial recording and release of Dimmu Borgir's second full length album "Stormblåst", the band decided to re-arrange the tracks and go back into the studio to re-record the album. The band went to Sweden to record the album together with producer Peter Tägtgren, who has been recording and producing the band’s albums since '97's "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant". Dimmu Borgir is also in between drummers at the moment, so they have called in Hellhammer to deliver the studio-work.

The album is quite different from the original, no doubt about that. At times I actually have a hard time to recognize the tracks and the atmospheres that originally were invoked by the band and the songs, and that is quite a shame I think, due the original "Stormblåst" being an album working due to the cold, dark and mysterious atmosphere.

The sound and production on this "new" album is good, no doubt about that. It is the typical The Abyss production, with a bit of darkness added. The sound is clear, and the details come straight through, though on top of the guitars, some noise roams and add a dark and slightly chaotic feel. The synth is very present on the album and stands very clear, but no real surprise in that. Though, as often, I have a problem with Hellhammer's drum-sound, it ends up sounding very artificial at times, though that’s way he has choose the sound to be, so not much to say about that, the closest reference to his work and sound on this album, is the work he did on Covenant's "Nexus Polaris" album. At times the whole of "Stormblåst MMV" actually reminds me of that album, regarding sounds, new arrangements and atmospheres invoked, though without the same dreamlike vividness the Covenant album possesses.

I don't think many older fans of Dimmu Borgir will embrace this album, though it'll without a doubt be a treat for the newer fans, due to the updated sound and the distance from the original album's black metal feel and atmosphere. This is easier to access and up to par with Dimmu Borgir anno 2005. Though I find the new version of "Stormblåst" a bit boring, and find the original much more interesting. This is too nice and the new arrangements don't really do the originals much justice in my opinion.

Rating: 5,5/10

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