Dimmu Borgir - For All Tid (1995)

intothewellsabyss
Dec 1, 2022
2 min read

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

On December 1, 1995, Dimmu Borgir released their debut full-length studio album For All Tid (For All Time) via No Colours Records.

It was remastered and re-released in 1997 via their (then) new label Nuclear Blast with the front cover art in full color and the entire Inn i evighetens mørke EP added. It is the band's only studio album on which Shagrath is on drums, Tjodalv on guitar and Silenoz on vocals.

The artwork displayed on the front cover of the album is inspired by Gustave Doré's illustration of Camelot from Idylls of the King.

Overview:

Say what you will about the band (chances are I will disagree if your words are negative), but Dimmu Borgir paved the road for a countless number of Black Metal bands with For All Tid.

A landmark album, not only in the Scandinavian black metal scene, but in world of Extreme Metal as well. Although several artists had already established themselves with anthemic showpieces like those displayed throughout For All Tid, this was one of the few recordings that showed evidence of the genres budding growth.

For All Tid marked the debut of one of the most intriguing, innovative Extreme Metal bands to rise up out of the frozen north. The release that introduced me to Dimmu Borgir, I have been awed by the bands ability to grow and morph with every release thereafter. — E.N. Wells

Background:

For All Tid features vocal contributions by Vicotnik of Ved Buens Ende and Dødheimsgard and Aldrahn of Dødheimsgard and Zyklon-B. All of the albums lyrics are written and sung in Norwegian.

The initial line-up consisted of Shagrath playing drums with Tjodalv on guitar and Silenoz contributing lead vocals. This line-up changed before the release of Stormblåst (Stormblown).

Critical Reception:

In their favourable review of the album, AllMusic wrote;

"The production is awful, boasting thin and sharp guitars, muted drumming and echoing vocals that sound like what it might have been like to stand outside of their rehearsal hall. But somehow the songs manage to overcome the production, offering a somewhat beautiful (albeit warped) view of heavy metal that comes off far more ambitious than a band in their position usually does."

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells