The Album Reader Reviews:

	Title: Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia Artist: Dimmu Borgir Label: Nuclear Blast Release Date: 3/12/01	There are currently 6 Reader Reviews of this album. Average Rating: 4.66 Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album
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Submitted by Andrew Deikun (2/2/02):
Similar Artists: Cradle of Filth, Old Manąs Child, The Kovenant, ...And Oceans, Arcturus, Borknagar, Satyricon
Background: This is the latest release by Norwegian Black metallers Dimmu Borgir. They have undergone some line-up changes for this release. This includes the addition of Nick Barker (ex-Cradle of Filth) on drums, Galder (Old Man's Child) on lead guitar, and ICS Vortex (ex-Borknagar) on bass and clean vocals. All three of these gentlemen have indicated that they will now be permanent members of the band. The line up on this recording also includes band founder Shagrath on vocals and synths, Erkekjetter Silenoz on guitar, and Mustis on synthesizers and piano. Also performing on this disc is the Gothenburg Opera Orchestra, which adds a lot of depth and enhances the "majestic" feel of this recording.
Packaging: The packaging is top notch. I find all of the satanic imagery and posing by the band to be pretty corny, but you can't argue with the high quality level and professionalism. All lyrics and band liner notes are included.
Production: Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia was recorded in Studio Fredman, Gothenburg, Sweden during October and November 2000. It was engineered and mixed by Fredrik Nordstrom and was produced by Dimmu Borgir and Fredrik Nordstrom. The production on this CD is top-notch and is once again perfect for what the band is trying to accomplish. The guitars are a much more forward in the mix on this one, with the synths taking on more of a supporting role, which is a departure from the last two releases. What I really enjoy most about the production on this CD is that you can clearly make out all of the instruments and vocals, and at times each instrument takes a more prominent role and is not buried in the mix. You can just tell that everything sounds as it should. Dimmu Borgir is going to be hard pressed to top the production on this one on future releases.
The Music: The music on this recording is outstanding. The classical intro and outro are just about perfect, some of the best that I have heard in black metal. The music mixes elements of heavy metal, thrash, and death metal along with gothic, scary undertones. What I like best about this release is that not only does Dimmu Borgir provide variation with horror movie style keyboards and orchestral backdrops; they also provide slower, more melodic transitions. There is also quite a bit of experimentation on this recording, including incorporating cold, sterile sounding parts; lush and warm keyboards, computerized vocals and all out metal mayhem. The interaction of the orchestral elements and the guitar on the industrial-influenced "Puritana" is truly awesome, I can see them experimenting more like this in the future. The vocals are a mix of black metal screeches, computer enhanced screeches and clean singing. The combination of vocals on this album is some of the best in this genre (second to only Satyricon in my opinion). The drumming on this release is what really separates Dimmu Borgir from the pack. The drums are mixed perfectly and Nick Barker manages to time the beats in perfect rhythm to everything else that is going on, which is a welcome relief from all of the double-bass pounding that is often found in black/death metal. I think if you enjoy well-played symphonic black metal you should really look into acquiring this recording. Dimmu Borgir continue to amaze with every release.

Submitted by Solomon (4/25/01):
Alrighty, so "puritanical" can mean "strict," "euphoric" relates to feelings of pleasure, and "misanthropia" is a general hatred of mankind. So, I guess, this album is about how fun it is to really despise people... a lot. Man, these guys need a hug (don't look at me), or maybe an ice cream cone or a Disney movie. Hell, maybe a phone call from Mom will cheer them up. Getting pissy about other people isn't exactly the newest metal topic on the block, but what else would you expect from one of the leading black metal exports from the icy sanctuary of Norway?
Of course, there's that whole issue of "black" metal to begin with. Like Hel mentioned, certain members of our studio audience may be turned off by the slicker version of darkness that Dimmu Borgir (di-moo-bore-gear, I think) produces. Some people will say this type of black metal isn't valid, that the presence of keyboards and clean production will eliminate it from the circle of "true" believers. To this I say, tttthhhpppth! I'm not sure if I could ever be a real, true-blue black metal freak, but I respect Dimmu Borgir for the same reasons others detest them. For one thing, I think electronic keyboards and synths are great instruments. Sometimes they can sound plinky and dumb, but DB's use of them provides an added wash of emotional depth that otherwise would not be present. Even though Pete T. wasn't behind the wheel on this one, the production on Puritanical is killer, as it should be. The drums have punch and the guitars are crunchy. Screw black metal "integrity"-- why would I want to put all that time into organizing a band, writing material, rehearsing, recording, and pretty much forsaking financial security all the way to deliver a product that sounds like shit? Dimmu Borgir do what they can within a certain genre to create interesting music and they do it with a professional flare. Hail!
I have to agree with Death that the rapid-fire note tweaking found so often in black/death metal music can be hard to absorb. Puritanical is very "black" in the sense that the music is not very catchy or singable, but is written with the intent of producing a general "vibe": mainly that of violence. Still, looking at the big picture, Dimmu alternates those "tweaky" elements with enough true melody, atmoshpere, and general force of strength to warrant a little grace. Abyss is right: the opening track of "Fear and Wonder" doesn't have much to do with the rest of the record, but at least it's there to let you know Dimmu can do more than just beat you senseless. Of course, "Blessings..." does just that. Puritanical isn't very "riff" orientated; there aren't a lot of guitar parts that would make me want to sit down and learn to play, but there are some good sections to be found. The blast of guitar supported by key textures in "Blessings.." (3:40) is a highlight, as well as the more sensitive (!) parts in "Kings..." (5:08) and the opening sludge of "Hybrid Stigmata." The industrial "Puritania" is surprisingly short and simple, but it contains a memorable double-tom riff that is backed by a cool string accompaniment. Speaking of that, ten points to Dimmu for using a real orchestra on this record.
The musicianship, no doubt, rules on this disc. The blastbeating and general mayhem provided by Nick Barker is another example of how proficient black/death drummers really are. These guys must practice to the point of a nervous breakdown to get this good. I've never been a big fan of black/death screeching/bellowing, but I found myself warming up to Shagrath's powerful vocal assault. The icing on the cake is the clean vocal contribution of Vortex. This guy is one of the best vocalists working in metal today. Check out his spots in "Kings.." (4:31), "The Maelstrom Mephisto" (2:41) or, my favorite, "Sympozium" (2:39) to see what I mean. Bold, passionate, operatic in nature but not technical to the point of being cold, Vortex's pipes are golden. Borknagar's loss is Dimmu's gain.

Submitted by Rain (4/22/01):
This album whalllleeeessss! I love it. The drumming is excellent and the chops are tight!!! Great use of vocal effects... and great song transitions. A thrill to listen to! The only reason I give it a 4 is that it's a little long, and it loses the listener's interest by song 10... Otherwise no metalhead should go without!

Submitted by Clyde Space (4/20/01):
A black metal album based upon Drivin' and Cryin's Fly Me Courageous? Compare cover art! Yeah, and it happens to be Dimmu's best work yet. Epic and beautiful, but with plenty of venom, there's not a boring moment. Superior songwriting, and great production. As great as Black Spiritual Dimensions was, this outdoes it. Dimmu has just recently reached their potiential (Godless Savage Garden being jizz). Let's hope they maintain this level of quality.

Submitted by Niles Darktona (4/3/01):
Dimmu Borgir: Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia
Overall: 10/10
-Lyrics: 10/10
-Production: 10/10
-Songs: 10/10
-Musicianship: 10/10
-Vocals [Singer]: 10/10
-Originality: 10/10
Style: Black Metal Masterpiece
Bottom Line: Masterpiece
Dimmu Borgir have left behind their woeful beginnings and evolved into an immense powerhouse. Forget about the primitive days of yesteryear! The new Dimmu Bogir is incredibly diverse, creative and talented. Shagrath's vocals have matured a lot since the CDs before this. The songwriting team of Shagrath, Silenoz, Mustis, and Vortex is godly and the best ever lyrics around in black metal today. Silenoz's guiterwork has become stronger then ever while Galder's lead guitarwork is awesome with Dimmu Borgir. I was glad to find out that Vortex is now a permanent member of the band. His clean vocals are a real treat. I enjoyed his work with Borknagar as well as his contribution to Spiritual Black Dimensions. I wish that he sang a little more on this album because his clean voice is a great compliment to Shagrath's screech. The music seems to be a little more guitar-driven than usual. While the keyboards are still very prominent (it wouldn't be Dimmu Borgir otherwise) the songs seem to revolve more around guitar riffs. It sounds great though. The recording is wonderful and the Gothenburg Opera Orchestra was captured perfectly. This is the first black metal album that actually captures the essence that great classical music has... its sorrowful at times, beautiful and enchanting especially when Vortex sings, and complex and stunning.

Submitted by BoneDust (3/27/01):
Upon listening to Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia for the first time I assumed I would be in store for another melodic screeching and blast beat filled black metal album, which would be fine with me actually, and that is what I got. But on further listening I found something that I haven't heard in many black metal albums: death and thrash riffs. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of the cliche black metal elements to this album, but interwoven within is some really cool shit, some parts even sound Skinny Puppyish. I think this album displays how much growth and change the band has achieved since Spiritual Black Dimensions, although this album is still all Dimmu Borgir through and through.
The album begins with the usual beautifully orchestrated song "Fear And Wonder," then goes into "Blessings Upon The Throne Of Tyranny" which is an in your face black metal shredder. The third song, "Kings Of The Carnival Creation," is where you start to hear the riffs I talked about, it is a wonderful flowing and ripping masterpiece. From there on the album just continues intertwining beauty, ugliness, and anger into one excellent piece of work.
The more I listen to this album the better it seems to get. I would recommend Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia to all black metal fans of course, but also to those death metal fans who don't usually go in for this kind of thing, believe me you will enjoy it. I give this a definite 5 skulls and can't wait to see Dimmu Borgir with Lamb of God, The Haunted, and Cannibal Corpse in a few weeks.

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