Gateways

As a fan of Dimmu Borgir's work, I was quite interested when I heard that the band was coming out with a new album. Even if they were down a few members, the name Dimmu Borgir has always had a fairly strong reputation. Even in their "low" points (Death Cult Armageddon, etc), deemed as such by their critics, they were still creating solid and listenable music. Alas, with the release of the single "Gateways," there's little but disappointment here awaiting anyone who has ever heard of Dimmu Borgir.

From the ridiculously retarded costumes (what the fuck is that on your head, Shagrath, tentacles?) in all white (aren't you guys supposed to be a BLACK metal band? Even though you haven't done any of that in ages?) my personal expectations had already been lowered slightly. However, I thought to myself "well, that's damn amusing. I'm sure their music is still good though." As "Gateways" opened up, my general train of thought remained on the same path. Unfortunately it did not take long for that metaphorical train to get blown off the goddamn tracks.

Up until about 0:36 it's the same old Dimmu Borgir, more or less, with a bit extra that one would expect from a new album. The synths could do a bit more but it's an effective beginning to a song and there isn't anything to complain about. But after that it goes downhill for the most part, with Shagrath refusing to shut up or stick with one (maybe two) consistent vocal styles. The instruments don't do much better, and everything about the music just jumps all over the place for no damn reason at all. It's a failed experiment in progression; Dimmu Borgir sounds like they are attempting to become a more technical and progressive metal band with a distinct symphonic edge, and there is nothing wrong with that idea. They almost have it. But the way this song is executed, well... it's pretty bad. Abysmal for a band that has a history spanning all the way back to 1993. If this song was longer, structured in a more cohesive manner, and everyone wasn't spazzing out at the same time, "Gateways" could be really good. There is plenty of potential here, and it's a mystery as to why Dimmu Borgir is barely scraping the top of their 'potential' barrel.

The video itself is one of the most retarded things I have ever seen, but the main focus is on the music here. It's very airy and seems almost too cleanly-produced for a metal band, and the first round of female vocals that randomly pops up - well, they kind of fit. I won't complain, but then there's a really shitty guitar solo for no reason, followed by still-okay female vocals and then Shagrath does his stupid robo-clean vocals. But let's go back to that guitar solo thing: what the hell is that? It's horrible and within the song makes no sense in regard to its placement. It's like someone said "wait a minute guys, we need a fucking guitar solo somewhere!" And someone else said "sure, just point at the song timeline with your eyes closed, and we'll throw it in there. By the way, don't actually write a solo. Just flail on the strings for a few seconds." With the exception of perhaps two or three more attributes of "Gateways," the song refuses to improve from there. It is bland and lifelessly mechanical, a step in a new direction for Dimmu Borgir, who broke an ankle halfway there.

40% for being barely listenable. It's a vague step below "so-so" and it does not leave me with high hopes for the full-length album that this will be released on.