Dimmu Borgir and Enslaved – Clifton Park NY

REVIEW BY: SHAWN ORTIS | PHOTOS BY: NADINE SWIGER

The Norwegian black metal war machine Dimmu Borgir have returned to North America and this time they brought their pagan brothers Enslaved. Both bands in support of new albums; Dimmu with Abrahadabra and Enslaved with Axioma Ethica Odini.

Opening for Dimmu was the mighty Enslaved. They started back in the early 90’s same as Dimmu, Emperor, Immortal etc. and they are one of the pioneers of the black metal musick sound. Their live shows are a must for any fan and they managed to captured that live feel on their new album “Axioma Ethica Odini”. Even tho they recorded it in three different studios the sound is full and natural. I have been a fan of Enslaved since their Vikingligr Veldi album in 1994 and it was great to see them back in the US; Last time they hit the states was in 2003. Do yourself a favor and catch them on this tour you will not be disappointed!

Dimmu took the stage and opened up with “Spellbound by the Devil”. It was faster and more brutal than ever plus the band seemed even tighter. Dimmu have always been a great live band but this time out its amazing; the sound was full and the execution was flawless. Some of you might be thinking so who’s doing the clean vocals on tracks like “The Serpentine Offering” that would be none other than Shagrath and they sounded better than ever! They played tracks from the new album “Abrahadabra” including the single “Gateways” and “Born Treacherous”. About the mid way during the set they played one of my all time favorite live Dimmu songs “Puritania” and it was massive! I would say this has to be the best Dimmu show I have seen so far and I have seen them each time they have toured the US. The chemistry of Shagrath, Silenoz and Galder have united the band into a rebirth of creativity and focus unlike anything they have done in the past.

Dimmu and Enslaved’s Darkness Reborn tour will end December 14th in North America, so get out and see them!

Remaining Tour Dates:

November 10 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
November 12 – Mr. Smalls – Pittsburgh, PA
November 13 – Royal Oak Music Theatre – Detroit, MI
November 14 – House of Blues – Chicago, IL
November 15 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
November 16 – Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN
November 18 – MacEwan Ballroom – Calgary, AB – CANADA
November 19 – Edmonton Events Center – Edmonton, AB – CANADA
November 21 – Rickshaw Theater – Vancouver, B.C. – CANADA
November 22 – The Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA
November 23 – Roseland Theatre – Portland, OR
November 24 – Showbox SoDo – Seattle, WA
November 26 – The Knitting Factory – Reno, NV
November 27 – The Fox Theater – Pomona, CA
November 28 – The Regency Grand Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
November 30 – House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
December 1 – Rialto Theater – Tucson, AZ
December 2 – Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
December 3 – Sunshine Theatre – Albuquerque, NM
December 4 – Gothic Theater – Englewood (Denver), CO
December 6 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX
December 7 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
December 9 – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH
December 10 – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA
December 11 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
December 12 – Sound Academy – Toronto, ON
December 13 – Metropolis – Montreal, QC
December 14 – Imperial – Quebec City, QC