Three former members of DIMMU BORGIR — bassist and clean vocalist ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs), keyboardist Mustis (Øyvind Mustaparta), and drummer Tjodalv (Ian Kenneth Åkesson) — reunited with the Norwegian symphonic black metal band on stage last night (Saturday, March 30) during their set at the Inferno Festival at Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo, Norway. The trio performed the song “The Insight And The Catharsis” from DIMMU BORGIR’s 1999 album *Spiritual Black Dimensions*. A fan-filmed video of their appearance, captured by Marko Vladilo of the band KRYN, can be viewed below.
DIMMU BORGIR parted ways with ICS Vortex and Mustis in August 2009. At the time, the band stated that “the creative force in the band” was “highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever.” Mustis later claimed that his dismissal was due to issues with crediting his contributions to the band’s music. He asserted that many of his compositions, including tracks on albums like *Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia* and *In Sorte Diaboli*, had not been properly credited, leading to his departure. Mustis described the process as unprofessional, culminating in his firing via text message.
ICS Vortex echoed these sentiments, referring to Mustis as “the true creative force in DIMMU for the last ten years.”
In response, the remaining members of DIMMU BORGIR criticized their former bandmates, alleging they had endured “unprofessionalism and bad live performances for years” and accusing them of making false statements driven by “ignorance, bitterness, and greed.”
DIMMU BORGIR’s current lineup is a trio consisting of Shagrath (Stian Tomt Thoresen) on lead vocals, Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) on rhythm guitar, and Galder (Tom Rune Anderson) on lead guitar. They are supported by session musicians Dariusz “Daray” Brzozowski on drums (since 2008), Geir “Gerlioz” Bratland on keyboards (since 2010), and Victor Brandt on bass (since 2018).
Their latest album, *Eonian*, was released in 2018 to mark the band’s 25th anniversary, and was their first full-length release since 2010’s *Abrahadabra*. Since then, the band has toured extensively, performing at major metal festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Hellfest.
In December 2023, DIMMU BORGIR released a cover song collection titled *Inspiratio Profanus* through Nuclear Blast Records. The album features their renditions of tracks by influential bands, including VENOM’s “Black Metal,” DEEP PURPLE’s “Perfect Strangers,” TWISTED SISTER’s “Burn In Hell,” and others from legendary artists.
