dimmu borgir got a lot of playtime on my turntable recently. mainly because of nuclear blasts industrious policy of re-pressing titles of the borgir back catalogue to commemorate the new album "eonian". with me, this tactic worked nicely in throwing money at the re-presses but failed to buy a copy of the actual purpose - dimmu's ninth full length after eight years of waiting. i finally came to terms and bought a copy after i was refunded by the label in the first place for a u.s. version which seemed to be already sold out when i ordered.
some weeks later, after i swallowed my anger, i made a move and reached out for the half and half coloured european edition. i was anxious to get a copy now because i am going to see the band play live for the first time at this year's wacken festival and thus wanted to hear the material before they played it live. well, what does the new album sound like? previously i read a few devastating reviews which opinions i definitely cannot share. there is a change in their overall sound, indeed. more industrial influences, a little less orchestration and way more choirs.
the first single "interdimensional summit" gives a good insight on the whole album, i think. for me the record needed a few spins to fully sink in. it won't become my favourite record of them but hell, it's an entertaining listen. the band saved the best songs for last and with the fantastic "i am sovereign" begins the strong last third of "eonian". the presentation is in no way inferior to the music. nice slip sleeve with reflecting golden ink, a superb 28-page booklet and slick looking black and white split vinyl. 700 copies made. nuclear blast. 2018.
