DIMMU BORGIR announces new guitarist
30-06-2025
Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have recruited Kjell Åge “Damage” Karlsen as their new guitarist. Karlsen, who previously played with DIMMU BORGIR frontman Shagrath (real name Stian Tomt Thoresen) in the long-running Norwegian rock band CHROME DIVISION, made his live debut with DIMMU BORGIR Friday night (June 27) at the Tons Of Rock festival in Oslo, Norway. Fan-filmed video of the show can be seen below.
DIMMU BORGIR shared a photo of Karlsen on social media and included the following message: “We’re excited to proudly welcome Damage to the team, and we’re all looking forward to sharing the stage with him this summer and onwards. It’s already been a pleasure working and rehearsing with Damage over the last couple of months and we hope that you, the fans, will join us in welcoming him to the line up!”
Longtime DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Galder (real name Thomas Rune Andersen) announced his departure from the band last summer, explaining that he wanted to reactivate his OLD MAN’S CHILD project.
The now-48-year-old Galder played his final concert with DIMMU BORGIR on August 17, 2024 as the headliner of the main stage at Dynamo Metal Fest in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Galder is a founding member of the melodic black metal band OLD MAN’S CHILD, with whom he released one EP and seven studio albums between 1994 and 2009.
DIMMU BORGIR‘s current lineup is officially a duo comprising Shagrath on lead vocals and Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) on rhythm guitar. They are joined by session musicians Karlsen on guitar, Dariusz “Daray” Brzozowski on drums (since 2008),Geir “Gerlioz” Bratland on keyboards (since 2010) and Victor Brandt on bass (since 2018).
DIMMU BORGIR have announced the details of their “The Chosen Legacy” summer 2025 European tour earlier this year. Support on selected dates comes from black metal legend Abbath and rising Portugese blackened avant garde ensemble Gaerea.
The dates are as follows:
Jun. 27 – Oslo, Norway – Tons Of Rock
Aug. 01 – Wacken, Germany – Wacken Open Air
Aug. 03 – Saint Maurice de Gourdans, France – Sylak Open Air
Aug. 06 – Tilburg, Netherlands – 013
Aug. 08 – Jaromer, Czech Republic – Brutal Assault
Aug. 10 – Kortrijk, Belgium – Alcatraz
Aug. 13 – Dinkelsbühl,, Germany – Summer Breeze
Aug. 15 – Carhaix, France – Motocultor
In December 2024 DIMMU BORGIR entered the studio with longtime producer Fredrik Nordström to record the long-awaited follow-up to 2018’s “Eonian” album.
On Tuesday, December 3, DIMMU BORGIR shared a photo of the band’s drummer, Dariusz “Daray” Brzozowski, in the studio with Nordström, and included the following caption: #studiotime”.
DIMMU BORGIR‘s upcoming LP will mark the band’s first since the August departure of longtime DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Galder (real name Thomas Rune Andersen).
DIMMU BORGIR have released their last effort, Inspiratio Profanus, on December 8, 2023 through Nuclear Bast. The album contains 8 covers of highly influential classic metal songs.
Silenoz comments about the album Inspiratio Profanus: “We’re pleased to announce the Inspiratio Profanus release! We thought it was about time to finally compile the cover songs we’ve done over the years and give these renditions an updated mastering, all in one package, highlighting some of our many influences!”
Silenoz states about the first song ‘Black Metal’: “Black Metal, the track and its origin, features something really primeval, raw and unhinged. There is lawlessness and danger connected to it. We did our best to capture the spirit of the ancient gods’ rock ’n roll 24 years later. Did we do it justice? I think so.”
Order Inspiratio Profanus + listen to ‘Black Metal’ AT THIS LOCATION.
Inspiratio Profanus Tracklist:
1. Black Metal (Venom)
2. Satan My Master (Bathory)
3. Dead Men Don’t Rape (G.G.F.H.)
4. Nocturnal Fear (Celtic Frost)
5. Burn In Hell (Twisted Sister)
6. Perfect Strangers (Deep Purple)
7. Metal Heart (Accept)
8. Nocturnal Fear (Celtically Processed) (Celtic Frost)
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