Make way for Dimmu Borgir
Just another Norwegian symphonic black metal concert
As CultureMap is not often mistaken for heavy metal magazines like Decibel or Kerrang, I am slipping this concert pick past my editors in order to get the word out to you about a very unusual musical faction: Norwegian symphonic black metal.
Now there is about six things wrong with the name of that genre and at least two words that are in direct opposition to each other. One listen to the layered string and percussion assault by Oslo's Dimmu Borgir, however, and it will make more sense.
If my editor asks, please tell him that a Dimmu Borgir show is little more than a quaint get together of old friends and music vets — vocalist Shagrath and guitarists Silenoz and Galder — who also have an affinity for the world of Tolkien-esque fantasy (if their names didn't make that completely obvious). Together they like to explore the more brisk edges of melodic sound with a certain euphoria that often makes them pick their guitars at roughly the same speed as a hummingbird flaps its wings.
For you metal fans: Be prepared to have your faces melted off by the Dimmu's latest album, Abrahadabra.
If you like your speed metal mixed with a punch of esoteric art references and fancy book-learnin' references and delivered by three guys covered in leather, face paint, body tattoos, piercings and a loose grasp on the English language ... you, sir or madam, have come to the right show.
Dimmu Borgir, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at House of Blues
Tickets: $19-$35