Dimmu Borgir is finally back with “Grand Serpent Rising”!
After a hiatus of  8 years, not counting “Inspiratio Profanus” which merely contained covers, the abyss has  finally closed. With 13!!! tracks over a duration of seventy minutes their Orchestral Extreme Metal  finally manages to make its way out of my headphones. “Eonian” left both critics and fans divided. I always thought it as a bold step forward, shedding its skin (even more) from their Black Metal past and having a more epic, bombastic and experimental approach. In contrary of  a lot of people  this is one of the albums which I often find spinning in my record player, together with their debut “For all Tid”, “Stormblast” and  my favorite “Spiritual Black Dimensions”.

With “Grand Serpent Rising” Dimmu glances back at their past but also doesn’t forget to keep its eyes at the horizon. It definitely took me more than a few spins in order to grasp the dark grandeur presented, but eventually I came to the conclusion that it is a very well crafted album. While the singles “Ascent’ and especially “Ulgvjeld & Blodsodel” made the impression  to be a little to lackluster for my taste, the majority of the songs are fun and unmistakably Dimmu Borgir. After hearing the previous mentioned songs I must change my view: they are very entertaining and still pack a punch. Okay, it’s less bombastic (only a little) and the choirs aren’t over the top in comparison with its predecessor “Eonian” but these characteristics are still on this album, and plenty of it; and that’s a good thing.

The album opens with “Tridentium” which can be seen as an over three minute opener where vocalist Shagrath beckons you in the world of the Serpent. Then the aggressive “Ascent” (see video) follows. “As seen in the Unseen” starts with semi-acoustic guitar intro and piano…….gradually building up momentum before the electric guitar(s) set in. It sends of “In Sorte Diaboli”- vibes which means fast guitar, keyboards, choirs and loads of atmosphere. It feels like Dimmu Borgir is back in form! But I must admit, it also feels like it should be on the “In Sorte” album. Nevertheless, a very good song which keeps you on your edge of your toes during its entire spin, which takes over seven minutes. “The Cryptfarer”, with its duration of four minutes, is much more compact and has excellent keyboards before bursting in the good old bombastic sound we are used to. Especially the drum pacing in the middle of the song together with rhythm guitar makes it an interesting track. It’s building up tension instead off aggression and is, in my opinion, one of the best songs of this album.

After “Ulgvjeld & Blodsodel“ ,which has a great intro and some solid riffs,  “Repository of Divine Transformation” enters the stage. An acoustic guitar intro provides some tranquility before the storm(blast). It’s great to see that they still can shred some great riffs and still have loads of bombast (it reminds me a bit of a toned down track of “Spiritual Black Dimensions”).  An epoch were bombast, guitar riffs solos and the enthralling story telling of Shagrath meet. The keys are really well excellent and provide an eerie atmosphere.  But frankly, I’d rather had a bit more fierceness instead of bombast. Luckily, in the end this beast of a song shows its claws, albeit for a few seconds.

“Silk minnes en Alkymist” and even gives me some modern “Stormblast” vibes (maybe because of the Norwegian lyrics) while “Phantom of the Nemssis”  leans very heavy on atmosphere and keyboards.  “The Exonerated” doesn’t hold back and shows a more ferocious side of Dimmu. “The Exonarated” and “Recognizant” are more direct, fast, aggressive and contain loads of solos without forgetting to put some epic bombast in these concoctions. I really enjoy these songs. They have plenty of chills and thrills but stripped down to the core they still should sound superb. I get a smirk on my face when Shagrath preaches his spoken word gospel, it sounds a bit cheesy (no pun intended, and definitely not what Dimmu aimed it to be) and gives this heavy dose of dark Extreme Metal a bit of light.

Just a few tracks left, and one of these is “At the Precipe of Convergance”.  It is a hauntingly beautiful song although it is quite forgettable. Maybe it has to do with the length of the album. It’s a joyful but very lengthy ride after all. Then again, “Shadows of a Thousand Perceptions” manages to convince me when it creates momentum and gradually builds up drama and tension and simply is a gloomy, dark track which is highly enjoyable. Instrumental “Gjoll” ends this adventure and is very well done. It feels like the candle is slowly burning out, ending the tale of the serpent. It is hauntingly beautiful and melancholic but I’d rather have a more memorable, bombastic ending (just like “Arcane Lifeforce Mysteria” on the “Spiritual” album). But that is my humble opinion and although I’m quite nostalgic I shouldn’t linger in the past. So I’ll stop bitching about it.

In the end I can only conclude “Great Serpent Rising” is a very solid album nearly touching excellence. It has all the trademarks of a very good Dimmu Borgir album. Shagraths voice is excellent and Silenoz (together with Damage and Victor on bass. which possibly had an impact on the sound) still knows how to play crafty metal tunes. And while the orchestral compositions of Gerlioz are not as brilliant as Mustis he still manages to create some great bombastic choirs, synths and more. The production (Fredrik Nordström) is excellent and the songs are very well conducted. But what I somewhat miss in the end is some raw aggressiveness. Although very polished, Dimmu always had an edge. A fierce aggressive edge combining bombastic theatral elements. Sure, you can find traces of that on this record but in general it feels a little toned down. Don’t mind me because we are spoiled with excellent Dimmu records and I am and always be a bit nostalgic. It nearly tops “Eonian” (which also wasn’t that aggressive to be honest). Besides some small remarks GSR is a great album combining new and old elements. Good to see that these Nordic giants are back with another excellent addition to their already majestic discograpy. They might lose some older fans will certainly gain new fans with this quality record. This album is defenitely worth your undivided attention. Good stuff!!!!

    Score: 8,3 / 10

Recordlabel: Nuclear Blast
Release date: May 22nd 2026

     Tracklist:

1. Tridentium
2. Ascent
3. As Seen in the Unseen
4. The Gryptfarer
5. Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel
6. Repository of Divine Transmutation
7. Slik Minnes and Alkymist
8. Phantom of the Nemisis
9. The Exonerated
10. Recognizant
11. At the Precipe of Convergance
12. Shadows of at thousand Perceptions
13. Gjoll