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Dimmu Borgir Report - July 26 in Vancouver, BC

Band Photo: Dimmu Borgir (?)

One of the disadvantages of living in Vancouver is that we get snubbed by Ozzfest every year. The good thing is that Ozzfest comes close enough (Auburn, WA) for some of the bands on the bill to perform here on one of their Off-fest dates. Three of such bands happened to be God Forbid, Otep, and Norway's Dimmu Borgir this year.

Doors opened a little after 8 and we headed in to the Commodore Ballroom. Having already been to two other rock shows in the past two weeks, I was too tired and sore to be in the front so I decided to chill at a table in the back. I soon found out that one of the opening bands couldn't make it and that a local metal band by the name of Soulscar would replace them. Soulscar hit the stage at 9:15 and played a 45 minute set. The band told us that God Forbid couldn't make it across the border. I have never heard Soulscar's music before, but they were heavier than I expected. However, the bass was too overpowering and the drumming was too loud, drowning out the guitars. But it was a really energetic show and they got the crowd all riled up. A few songs into their set and all the "We want God Forbid!" yells from the crowd had already ceased as if everyone had forgotten about said band.

I didn't realize that Otep wasn't showing up too until Dimmu Borgir hit the stage at 10:30. Unlike what I read about the Ozzfest crowd who weren't digging these guys too much, the one at the Commodore was really rowdy and stoked to see the band. Several hundred people in front of the stage, all headbanging in unison and having a great time. Dimmu Borgir was, simply put, awesome. They sound even better live. They were heavy, dark, atmospheric and melodic. This was probably one of the best metal shows I have ever attended. (It's right up there with In Flames.) They made good use of the special effects, but they overdid it with the smoke, which fogged up the back half of the stage, engulfing the drummer and the keyboardist. I loved how Shagrath's low, raspy growls alternated with the cleaner vocals from the bassist. Dimmu Borgir played for an hour, finishing off their set with "Mourning Palace" at 11:30.

I'm still rather disappointed that both the originally scheduled opening acts couldn't make it. I was looking forward to seeing Otep because I have heard some interesting things about her shows. Also, the concert was too short. I have never been out of the Commodore before midnight before. But I guess I can't really complain since I got 2 tickets for the price of one (courtesy of Scrape Records and House of Blues). However, there were people who paid good money to see God Forbid and Otep.