Eonian
Dimmu Borgir · 2018
83 min · 15 tracks · symphonic black metal
Epic orchestral arrangements merge with ferocious black metal intensity, creating a sprawling sonic landscape that defies genre boundaries.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ætheric Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Council of Wolves and Snakes — This track exemplifies the album's blend of intricate melodies and aggressive instrumentation, showcasing Dimmu Borgir's signature sound while introducing fresh thematic elements.
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I Am Sovereign — With its anthemic chorus and powerful lyrical themes of self-empowerment, this song serves as a standout representation of the album's overarching narrative.
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Lightbringer — The track’s dynamic shifts between serene passages and intense crescendos highlight the band's ability to fuse symphonic elements with traditional black metal aggression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Eonian showcases ambitious orchestration and strong performances, though its length affects overall cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album features extensive orchestral arrangements that intertwine with aggressive guitar riffs and blast beats, creating a dense soundscape.
- Several tracks incorporate choral elements, enhancing the epic feel and adding layers to the vocal delivery.
- The running time is over an hour, with most tracks exceeding five minutes, allowing for complex song structures and thematic development.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic exploration with resolution
- epic orchestration meets ferocious riffs
- wave-like pacing with intensity
- immersive soundscapes for reflection
- engaging two-part listening experience
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Eonian marks a strong return after a long hiatus, showcasing continued artistic vitality.
- Themes
- mythical darkness· symphonic warfare· self-empowerment anthems
- Career context
- Released on May 4, 2018, Eonian is Dimmu Borgir's first studio album in over seven years, following their acclaimed album Abrahadabra in 2010. This album marks a significant return for the band as they embraced a heightened symphonic approach while continuing to innovate within the melodic black metal genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cradle of Filth· Emperor· Nightwish
Tracklist
Disc 2
- 1 Ætheric Start here 5:27
- 2 Council of Wolves and Snakes 5:18
- 3 Lightbringer 6:10
- 4 I Am Sovereign 6:57
- 5 Archaic Correspondence 4:57
Disc 3
- 1 The Unveiling 5:51
- 2 Interdimensional Summit 4:36
- 3 Ætheric Start here 5:26
- 4 Council of Wolves and Snakes 5:21
- 5 The Empyrean Phoenix 4:44
Disc 4
- 1 Lightbringer 6:10
- 2 I Am Sovereign 6:46
- 3 Archaic Correspondence 4:52
- 4 Alpha Aeon Omega 5:20
- 5 Rite of Passage 5:12
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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