Abrahadabra

by Dimmu Borgir

Overview

At one point, Dimmu Borgir were a black metal band. Somewhere around the time of 2001's Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, though, they became something entirely different, a kind of monument to pomp and grandeur for its own sake. Peaking on 2003's Death Cult Armageddon and sagging somewhat on the overwrought/underwritten 2007 concept album In Sorte Diaboli, they've managed to combine black metal with John Williams-style symphonic stomping. This album, while not quite the equal of Death Cult Armageddon, does represent a fairly strong comeback. Without changing their style, it's more melodic and even catchier than they're known for being, and the exchanges between lead vocalist Shagrath (who sounds like a cross between Laibach's Milan Fras and Popeye the Sailor) and the trills of the orchestra (real, not synth-based), not to mention the frequent interjections by female voices, make the whole thing almost operatic. Indeed, Abrahadabra is many things, but it is definitely not a rock album. It takes the pomposity of prog to new extremes, throws classical filigree around like comedian Rip Taylor hurling confetti, and generally adopts a more-is-more attitude toward every element from riff writing to arrangements. It opens with an instrumental fanfare, and there's a guest vocal spot on "Ritualist" (by bassist Snowy Shaw of Therion) that sounds like Peter Hammill from Van der Graaf Generator. It might be goofy as hell, but it's also a lot of fun. ~ Phil Freeman

Product Details

Release Date:	11/22/2024
Label:	NUCLEAR BLAST ARCHIV
UPC:	4250444192748

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dimmu Borgir   Primary Artist
Tord Kalvenes   Choir/Chorus
Trond Magne Brekka   Flute
Thomas Ringen   Choir/Chorus
Thomas Tinglum   Choir/Chorus
Tina Dahl   Choir/Chorus
Tom Skjellum   Trumpet
Sissel Anette Myhre   Choir/Chorus
Kjersti Almenningen   Choir/Chorus
Kristin Karlsson   Violin
Ludvik Kjaernes   Choir/Chorus
Magnus Bernt Soederberg   Bass
Magnus Dorholt Kjeldal   Choir/Chorus
Magnus Tveten   Choir/Chorus
Maren Elle   Violin
Marlene Wilhelmine Jensen   Choir/Chorus
Martin Rosor   Choir/Chorus
Mathilde Salmi Marjavara   Choir/Chorus
Merete Olsen Carr   Cello
Mette Elisabeth Steen   Violin
Odd Nilsen   Trumpet
Ole Albrekt Nedrelid   Choir/Chorus
Oyvind Blikstad   Choir/Chorus
Per Christian Rolin   Choir/Chorus
Petter Winroth   Trombone
Ragnhild E. Bye Luetken   Choir/Chorus
Robin J. Guttulsrod   Choir/Chorus
Rune Halvorsen   Conductor
Schola Cantorum Choir   Choir/Chorus
Silje Indrebo   Choir/Chorus
Sindre Bjerkestrand   Choir/Chorus
Stine Lise Svenning   Clarinet
Kristoffer Rygg   Vocals,Guest Artist
Frode Larsen   Violin
Audun Sandvik   Cello
Marit Klovning   Cello
Ingrid Ahlander   Bassoon
Atle Sponberg   Violin
Tom Ottar Andreassen   Flute
Bjorn Rabben   Percussion
Bjoern Nyman   Clarinet
Joakim Nordin   Percussion
Trude Eick   Horn
Stine Rem Aarones   Violin
Hildegun Flataboe   Horn
Trygve Aarvik   Oboe
Marius Flatby   Contrabass
Yi Yang   Violin
Agnes Hoffart   Violin
Agnete Kjolsrud   Vocals,Guest Artist
Anna Blechingberg   Choir/Chorus
Aste Jensen Sjovaag   Choir/Chorus
Astrid Sandsor   Choir/Chorus
Barbro Berg   Choir/Chorus
Birger Mistreggen   Timpani
Birgit Maakestad Enghaug   Choir/Chorus
Christian Pollock Fjellstad   Choir/Chorus
Christina Dimbodius   Violin
Eivind Stoylen   Choir/Chorus
Erik Hedmo   Choir/Chorus
Eyvind Andreassen   Horn
Guro Hilmen   Violin
Guro Schjelderup   Choir/Chorus
Hakon Andersen   Choir/Chorus
Hakon Skyberg   Choir/Chorus
Hans Petter Bang   Bass
Hauk J. Rosten   Choir/Chorus
Hilde Mentzoni   Clarinet
Hilde Stenseng   Choir/Chorus
Ida Tingstein   Choir/Chorus
Inger Helseth   Choir/Chorus
Ingrid Stige   Choir/Chorus
Ingrid Uddu   Horn (English)
Ingvild Farestveit Hov   Choir/Chorus
Julius Pranevicius   Horn
Kare Magnar Hagen   Trumpet
Karen Austad Christensen   Choir/Chorus
Vilde Groth Pettersen   Choir/Chorus
Willy Aase   Violin
Tone Bjornsen   Violin
Snowy Shaw   Vocals,Guitar (Bass)
Andy Sneap   Guest Artist
Galder   Guitar
Morten Hannisdal   Cello
Shagrath   Vocals,Keyboards
Ricky Black   Slide Guitar
Silenoz   Guitar
Oivind Westby   Trombone
Sidsel Walstad   Harp
Embrik Snerte   Bassoon
Nora Taksdal   Viola
Annar Folleso   Violin
Andrea Manger   Violin
Sverre Riise   Trombone
Elisabeth Lie   Violin
Daray   Drums
Henrik Hannisdal   Violin

Technical Credits

Urban Naesvall   Drum Technician
Tod Waters   Construction,Clothing Design
Petter Braar   Guitar Technician
Stian Thoresen   Composer
Sven Atle Kopperud   Composer,Lyricist
Tom Rune Anderssen   Composer
Gaute Storaas   Choir Arrangement,Orchestral Arrangements
Joachim Luetke   Artwork,Cover Art,Packaging,Band Photo,Development
Marcelo Vasco   Photography
Russ Russell   Engineer,Mastering
Tove Asum Forwald   Photography
Andy Senap   Mastering
Giuliana Mayo   Construction,Clothing Design
Andy Sneap   Mixing
Galder   Composer,Group Member
Dimmu Borgir   Mixing,Producer,Mastering
Shagrath   Effects,Composer,Engineer,Group Member
Daniel Bergstrand   Engineer
Silenoz   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Kjell Lund   Photography