Album Review: Dimmu Borgir - Inspiratio Profanus
Reviewed by Rick Eaglestone
There has been a lot of activity in the Dimmu Borgir camp as of late, last year saw the remixing and Remastering of Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia which also boasted some great new artwork, the band have now decided to compile the cover songs they have done over the years with an updated mastering and once again new artwork – The result: eight unholy hymns specially selected for cover album Inspiratio Profunis
Looking at the track list there is only one that I have previously heard, some feel like obvious, and others are refreshingly surprising.
The first two Venom’s Black Metal has that familiar Shagrath snarl, have to say I still prefer the Cradle of Filth rendition, but their delivery of Bathory’s Satan My Master is two minutes of faithful fury solos and all.
Entering electro territory for the GGFH track Dead Men Don’t Rape the band do in fact blend atmospheric black metal into it well, I am glad this was included as it featured as a bonus track on Abrahadabra which is very much overlooked in their discography. This version has more sinister tones to its predecessor. This is followed by Celtic Frost’s Nocturnal Fear which is a nice update as it was on Dimmu Borgir’s 1996 EP Devil’s Path.
Up next and still my favourite cover by the band – it’s on the album that was remixed and remastered last year and my introduction to the band in 2001, even now I am surprised it was late but better late than never. This is more than just my favourite cover from the band it’s one of my all-time picks and whilst I appreciate the highlighted bass lines, I have to stick the version of Burn In Hell by Twisted Sister that the band released on the 2001 version.
As soon as that keyboard started, I recognised Deep Purple’s Perfect Strangers and honestly, I have to say the clean vocals and almost Therion like soundscapes in some places I honestly was not expecting at all, it’s a really good curveball as too is the follow up the band’s rendition of Accept’s Metal Heart. Personally, having these three tracks grouped together was a great choice.
Sadly, I do have a slight gripe with the final track not only because it features one of the bands featured already Celtic Frost but to include practically the same track Nocturnal Fear (Celtically Possesed) almost feels like a miss step, don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t go so far as to sat it ruined the overall experience of the covers album as it is well put together I just would’ve liked them to take on something else.
As much as I have enjoyed two releases in quick succession, I am now more than happy to sit back and hope for news in relation of a new studio album by hopefully this time next year
