Norway’s Dimmu Borgir can trace its origins all the way back to the dawn of the second wave of black metal. The band formed in 1993 as contemporaries of Mayhem, Darkthrone, Thorns, and the countless other Scandanavian icons of the second wave. Initially their sound was a very traditional form of black metal, but through twenty plus years and numerous lineup changes the band has grown increasingly symphonic and experimental. Dimmu Borgir, along with Emperor and Cradle of Filth, is considered to be one of the great pioneers of the symphonic black metal genre. They have even recorded a television special performing with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.

It has been nearly 5 years since the last Dimmu record landed, but the word on the street is that the band is putting the finishing touches on album number nine and it just might see the light of day yet this year. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

While we wait though, check out the official video for “The Serpentine Offering,” the opening track of the band’s masterpiece 2007 album In Sorte Diaboli, below.

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