Sound problems hampered Dimmu Borgir's performance, which was already lacking excitement.
Dimmu Borgir is the kind of band that benefits from theatricality. That is, from the ability to involve the audience in the spectacle. It also helps if there's enough space for the six members and the supporting musicians to put on their show.
Even though the show was attended by a packed house eager to immerse themselves in the band's symphonic black metal, something stood in the way of the connection between the audience and the artists.
Dimmu Borgir were greeted with screams when they took the stage, but as soon as they launched into “The Unveiling” and “Interdimensional Summit,” the reaction didn't seem to be what the band had hoped for. A few shouts and raised hands greeted the first two songs, but most of the audience didn't seem enthusiastic.
Shagrath ( Stian Thoresen vocals . Further back, the problem was less noticeable, but the audio didn't do the vocalist and his low notes justice. During the encore, the audience shouted for them to "turn up the sound."
The band also struggled to convey the dark concept of the performance. However, the small size of the stage prevented them from moving around and playing freely. The lights also created a gloomy atmosphere that illuminated the audience more than the band itself. From a distance, the members looked like stylized statues from a horror movie.
The concise setlist featured songs that roused the audience from the lethargy of watching a competent but hermetic performance. “Gateways,” “Puritania,” and “Progenies of the Great Apocalypse” (towards the very end) were the ones that truly got the fans singing along. The band's technique and quality were evident despite all the difficulties they faced.
Fans most likely didn't care about any of these problems and were happy to see the band six years after their last visit to the country. Those who were expecting a good black metal show may have left less excited than they imagined.
Photos by: Miluhy
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