Dimmu Borgir new album 2025.
Norwegian symphonic black metal legends DIMMU BORGIR have officially confirmed that a new album is in the making. During their recent appearance at Wacken Open Air 2025 in Wacken, Germany, guitarist Silenoz (real name: Sven Atle Kopperud) revealed that the band is deep into the creative process for the long-awaited follow-up to 2018’s Eonian.
When asked how the band decides an album is truly ready, Silenoz explained:
“You can work and work on it forever, but at some point, you have to let it go. It’s like having a kid, you raise it, and then you have to let it out of its shell. For us, it’s a long journey. We live with the songs for years before we even hit the main studio. We demo everything down to the smallest detail, so by the time we record, everything is mapped out. Even after months or years, we might tweak tiny elements to make it perfect.”
This meticulous approach is nothing new for DIMMU BORGIR, whose sound relies on precision, layered orchestration, and atmospheric depth. Their process ensures each riff, symphonic swell, and blast beat hits with maximum impact.
Advice from Silenoz: Why Bands Aren’t Democracies
Beyond the music, Silenoz shared some advice for up and coming musicians chasing their vision:
“Find your place in the band and do what you’re good at. Not everyone can be a leader and being in a band isn’t a democracy, at least not all the time. Everyone wants to make the fun decisions, but when it comes to the hard calls, that’s where leadership comes in.”
For DIMMU BORGIR, that leadership lies mainly between Silenoz and vocalist Shagrath (real name: Stian Tomt Thoresen). On whether they split control 50-50, Silenoz said:
“There’s very little we disagree on. Our drive is stronger than ever, and we respect the band’s history and legacy too much to mess it up. When a hard decision comes, we make it together.”
Lineup Shifts: Damage Steps In as Guitarist
This summer marked a significant change in DIMMU BORGIR’s ranks. In June, the band introduced Kjell Åge “Damage” Karlsen as their new guitarist. Karlsen, who previously played with Shagrath in Chrome Division, made his live debut on June 27 at Tons of Rock in Oslo, Norway.
His addition follows the departure of longtime guitarist Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen), who left in 2024 to revive his melodic black metal project Old Man’s Child. Galder’s final show with DIMMU BORGIR was a monumental performance on August 17, 2024, headlining Dynamo Metal Fest in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Galder, now 48, originally founded Old Man’s Child in the early ’90s, releasing one EP and seven studio albums between 1994 and 2009.
Current Lineup and Legacy
Today, DIMMU BORGIR officially operates as a duo:
Shagrath – Vocals
Silenoz – Guitar
They are backed by an elite roster of session musicians:
Kjell Åge “Damage” Karlsen – Guitar
Dariusz “Daray” Brzozowski – Drums (since 2008)
Geir “Gerlioz” Bratland – Keyboards (since 2010)
Victor Brandt – Bass (since 2018)
What’s Next for DIMMU BORGIR?
With nearly seven years since their last release, anticipation for the new album is at a fever pitch. If history is any indication, expect an opus rich in orchestration, relentless riffing, and the dark grandeur that defines DIMMU BORGIR’s legacy.
With a new album on the horizon and a refreshed lineup, DIMMU BORGIR are proving their reign in symphonic black metal is far from over. Fans can expect nothing less than meticulously crafted darkness, cinematic grandeur, and bone-crushing riffs. Stay locked on Metal Lair for the latest updates as the band prepares to unleash their next sonic onslaught.
See what the stars have in store for you. Check out Metal Lair’s Metalhead Horoscopes
