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Dimmu Borgir - Keyboardist And Bassist Out Of The Band


Dimmu Borgir keyboardist Øyvind "Mustis" Mustaparta has issued the following statement on his MySpace page:

"Attention to all the worldwide fans of my work with Dimmu Borgir. I feel that I must begin my note to you all by saying that your dedication and interest in my musical work with Dimmu Borgir has been greatly appreciated by me for many, many years and you all have motivated me to continue to push the creative envelope farther each and every day. You might be able to see where this note is heading and if you are thinking correctly you will know that I am informing you all that I am no longer associated with the band and have left the ranks of Dimmu Borgir effective immediately.

My departure was not entirely of my own accord and while I had felt this change was something imminent for my future, my time had been spent addressing the fact that many songs written by me had not been registered properly under my name in their credits. Without naming every single track, let us just say that a good majority of albums like "Spiritual Black Dimensions", "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia" and "In Sorte Diaboli" would have been vastly different had I not composed and created as much as I actually did. Sadly, based on terrible gaps in the communication process and a failure to find logical rationale for why this had been done this way found me hitting wall after wall as opposed to finding a professional and reasonable solution to the problem. My inquiries and investigation into the issues which I wished to resolve and move on from would in the end find me being fired from the group. No discussions about it, just "goodbye" (via text message).

I can say to you that this was not a new dispute and is something that has been going on for some years and since these are my individual creative rights and work that are being denied of me, we shall now let the resolution come from the lawyers instead of dealing with more dishonesty and lies on a one on one personal level. On this I cannot say anymore because we will be walking into sticky legal territory. I mentioned earlier that my fans have motivated me to create great music again and again and they should know that I will continue to do this and shall return to them in the not too distant future with material that I hope will keep their musical needs fed. In advance I will say that I thank you for notes and texts of support and ask that you please understand that there is not much more I can say on this, nor will be able to answer every single message that I get. I ask you to please keep tabs on my official MySpace page. I will do my best to post what I am legally allowed to share with you so you remain informed."

According to Mustis, also bassist/clean vocalist Simen "ICS Vortex" Hestnæs got fired by the band. Both Mustis and Vortex were apparently either fired or had no other choice than to leave the group after years of disagreements. However, this has not yet been confirmed by Vortex or anyone else associated with the group.

An official statement from Dimmu Borgir is expected to be released shortly.


UPDATE

Dimmu Borgir has announced the following: "We regret to inform you that we have parted ways with both Vortex and Mustis. However, we do want to make it perfectly clear that the creative force in the band is highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever. With that being said, we're currently working on our next album and are excited to start a new chapter in the legacy that is Dimmu Borgir."

Source: myspace.com
Band profile: Dimmu Borgir
Posted: 31.08.2009 by Thryce


Comments

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Comments: 61   [ 1 ignored ]   Visited by: 567 users
31.08.2009 - 13:19
Deadmeat
Necrobutcher
I am not a "big" fn of the band but if this guy is right in all he said about how much he hepled in songwriting it will be interesting to see how the band will sound without him.
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Υou've sold your human essence to the cold world of dead and empty things... You're SOLD!
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31.08.2009 - 13:19
delusionist
Really sad, I really liked them, especially the later stuff they produced. If Vortex leaves too I think they lost the two things that made them into the special band they were. I don't think Mustis ever did get the credits he deserved. I recall hearing an interview with Shagrath saying he composes the music for the band, which is kinda silly considering how much their music changed when Mustis joined. I acctually think spiritual black dimensions is the best cd this band has ever produced. He always seemed to stand a bit outside the band.

Hope to hear some new stuff from him soon. Hope things go well for him.
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31.08.2009 - 13:23
Hex_Omega
Gem Seeker
Oh my... that's sad. One of my favourite bands. Dimmu Borgir without Mustis and Vortex? They should disband. Thx especially for EDT, SBD and PEM. R.I.P
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31.08.2009 - 13:23
Daggon
Underpaid M.D.
Cannot believe it!!! I hope Vortex won't leave the band, he is a voice that DB are not allowed to lose. I'm sorry for Mustis, hope he'll get this problems resolved soon. Many legal conflicts this year.
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"Les vers savent qu'ils n'ont pas d'ailes, c'est pour cela qu'ils se cachent sous terre"
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31.08.2009 - 13:32
Hex_Omega
Gem Seeker
'We regret to inform you that we have parted ways with both Vortex and Mustis. However, we do want to make it perfectly clear that the creative force in the band is highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever.
With that being said, we're currently working on our next album and are excited to start a new chapter in the legacy that is Dimmu Borgir.'

Source - http://www.dimmu-borgir.com/
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31.08.2009 - 13:34
Warman
Erotic Stains
Mustis leaving the band is no big deal for me, Vortex on the other hand... he handles the clean vocals. Wonder what will happen now? But as composers to the band I don't see any problem. Dimmu Borgir made awesome songs years before they came. And the last two (or even last three) albums are certainly nothing I listen to on a strict basis. Maybe now we'll get the old Dimmu sound back? And don't quote me! Let me dream!
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31.08.2009 - 14:02
Kvae
Vortex out? This is going straight to hell!
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31.08.2009 - 15:00
Throne Dweller
Written by Warman on 31.08.2009 at 13:34

Mustis leaving the band is no big deal for me, Vortex on the other hand... he handles the clean vocals. Wonder what will happen now? But as composers to the band I don't see any problem. Dimmu Borgir made awesome songs years before they came. And the last two (or even last three) albums are certainly nothing I listen to on a strict basis. Maybe now we'll get the old Dimmu sound back? And don't quote me! Let me dream!

I somewhat doubt that. I get the feeling they're too used to unbelievably expensive recordings/professional compositions. I do anticipate a far more 'raw' album, which may or may not be like their early few. If anything I see them going a lot more melodic because of Galder possibly taking a larger role.

Shit, this turns me off seeing Dimmu live. Half the brilliance was Mustis' presence and Simon's crowd pleasing antics.
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31.08.2009 - 15:22
Ellrohir
Heaven Knight
Wonder what is really behind it...
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My rest seems now calm and deep
Finally I got my dead man sleep


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31.08.2009 - 15:46
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Staff
I have a bad feeling about this. I never really liked Shagrath as a person, I don't even know why but this seems like something I was thinking about in my subconcious.

Sad news, I liked Mortus. He was a great keyboardist imo. Let's see what happens with Vortex since it's not clear right now.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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31.08.2009 - 16:33
ioannisk
Lets see some arcturus reunion or a new lamented souls album! it's a pity for dimmu though..i wonder who can actually sing vortex's parts..
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31.08.2009 - 16:58
Feng
Whaaaa? Crap.
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31.08.2009 - 17:01
Jiri
Good, the two members with talent can finally fly away from the oppreessive cage that is Dimmu Borgir! Hail Arcturus!
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31.08.2009 - 17:04
Hanyuchan
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

NOT VORTEX!
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31.08.2009 - 17:23
gid
Haha, so their best singer and main songwriter are gone. Great going guys.
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31.08.2009 - 17:39
Darkside Momo
Retired
Elite
Written by ioannisk on 31.08.2009 at 16:33

Lets see some arcturus reunion

We can always dream...
----
My Author's Blog (in French)


"You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you"

"I've lost too many years now
I'm stealing back my soul
I am awake"
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31.08.2009 - 19:14
epidemia
Both were key men :|
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31.08.2009 - 19:17
corrupt
With a lowercase c
Admin
Vortex out sucks donkey balls. He really is what makes (or made) DB beautiful. But Dimmu with a little less focus on Keyboards can't hurt anyone. Maybe Vortex will find his way back to Borknagar.
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31.08.2009 - 20:01
Paradox0
Unasuming Madnes
I guess dimmu couldn't handle being a black metal super group (sort of anyways). Didn't Galder also temporarily leave?
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31.08.2009 - 20:04
Nerevarine
An Arcturus reunion would really be terrific news :/
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This Is Not Dead Which Can Eternal Lie, And With Strange Eons, Even Death May Die
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31.08.2009 - 20:23
Crème fraiche
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31.08.2009 - 20:24
corrupt
With a lowercase c
Admin
Written by Nerevarine on 31.08.2009 at 20:04

An Arcturus reunion would really be terrific news :/

Yeah, more work for Hellhammer
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31.08.2009 - 20:30
Jon
There is good and bad here. The bad is that Vortex's voice has become identifiable with Dimmu Borgir's sound over the past decade, and the same sound was contributed to in no small part by Mustis' composition. So it is likely that, far from being the next part in a trilogy as Shagrath suggested, the new album will be a far cry from anything the band has recorded in the past and will undoubtedly be controversial in composition and delivery, especially if a new singer is hired. As epidemia said, both were key men. It seems as if Shagrath might be turning into Ritchie Blackmore or Tuomas Holopainen.

The good is that the band retains two very valuable assets. The first is Galder, who has proven himself on one Old Man's Child album after another that his writing and playing skills are second to fucking none, and perhaps with these guys out he might take a role in writing the music (I mean, Slaves Of The World is better than anything Dimmu Borgir have released in years) and even in supplementing Shagrath's rather damp vocals with his own, much more convincing voice. The second is live drummer Daray (haven't seen them live then check out Vader's Art of War for proof of his skill) who we can only hope will be inducted into the band as a full member to beef out the sound some more. What's more, as others have astutely pointed out, the chances of an Arcturus reunion with Hellhammer are increased by Vortex's being out of a job, and that band fucking rocks.
----
A mythology is a religion different enough from your own for it's absurdity to be obvious.
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31.08.2009 - 20:31
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Holy shit.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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31.08.2009 - 20:32
HellTrooper
I waited for this moment for 8 years and now it's true! I hope we'll see the old Dimmu Borgir sound soon, and not another stupid album. C'mon Silenoz, Shagrat!
----
R.I.P.

Cliff Burton
Chuck Schuldiner
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31.08.2009 - 20:36
Arioch
I cant imagine Dimmu Borgir without Mustis, bad news!:nono:
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Extreme Brutal Black Death Grind Madness
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31.08.2009 - 20:47
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by Jon on 31.08.2009 at 20:30

There is good and bad here. The bad is that Vortex's voice has become identifiable with Dimmu Borgir's sound over the past decade, and the same sound was contributed to in no small part by Mustis' composition. So it is likely that, far from being the next part in a trilogy as Shagrath suggested, the new album will be a far cry from anything the band has recorded in the past and will undoubtedly be controversial in composition and delivery, especially if a new singer is hired. As epidemia said, both were key men. It seems as if Shagrath might be turning into Ritchie Blackmore or Tuomas Holopainen.

The good is that the band retains two very valuable assets. The first is Galder, who has proven himself on one Old Man's Child album after another that his writing and playing skills are second to fucking none, and perhaps with these guys out he might take a role in writing the music (I mean, Slaves Of The World is better than anything Dimmu Borgir have released in years) and even in supplementing Shagrath's rather damp vocals with his own, much more convincing voice. The second is live drummer Daray (haven't seen them live then check out Vader's Art of War for proof of his skill) who we can only hope will be inducted into the band as a full member to beef out the sound some more. What's more, as others have astutely pointed out, the chances of an Arcturus reunion with Hellhammer are increased by Vortex's being out of a job, and that band fucking rocks.


I didn't know Daray played on Art of War. "This Is the War" and "What Colour Is Your Blood"...so technical and so quick. If Dimmu lands him as a full-time member, I anticipate their next release being their most brutal composition in the last decade.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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31.08.2009 - 20:53
Jon
Written by Troy Killjoy on 31.08.2009 at 20:47

Written by Jon on 31.08.2009 at 20:30

There is good and bad here. The bad is that Vortex's voice has become identifiable with Dimmu Borgir's sound over the past decade, and the same sound was contributed to in no small part by Mustis' composition. So it is likely that, far from being the next part in a trilogy as Shagrath suggested, the new album will be a far cry from anything the band has recorded in the past and will undoubtedly be controversial in composition and delivery, especially if a new singer is hired. As epidemia said, both were key men. It seems as if Shagrath might be turning into Ritchie Blackmore or Tuomas Holopainen.

The good is that the band retains two very valuable assets. The first is Galder, who has proven himself on one Old Man's Child album after another that his writing and playing skills are second to fucking none, and perhaps with these guys out he might take a role in writing the music (I mean, Slaves Of The World is better than anything Dimmu Borgir have released in years) and even in supplementing Shagrath's rather damp vocals with his own, much more convincing voice. The second is live drummer Daray (haven't seen them live then check out Vader's Art of War for proof of his skill) who we can only hope will be inducted into the band as a full member to beef out the sound some more. What's more, as others have astutely pointed out, the chances of an Arcturus reunion with Hellhammer are increased by Vortex's being out of a job, and that band fucking rocks.


I didn't know Daray played on Art of War. "This Is the War" and "What Colour Is Your Blood"...so technical and so quick. If Dimmu lands him as a full-time member, I anticipate their next release being their most brutal composition in the last decade.


Yup, the boy can really play! He also played on The Beast (as a stand-in) and on Impressions In Blood, both worth hearing if not quite as furious as Art of War. Like Galder though, it will just be a case of him being able to flex his muscles instead of just playing along with Silenoz.
----
A mythology is a religion different enough from your own for it's absurdity to be obvious.
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31.08.2009 - 20:59
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by Jon on 31.08.2009 at 20:53

Written by Troy Killjoy on 31.08.2009 at 20:47

Written by Jon on 31.08.2009 at 20:30

There is good and bad here. The bad is that Vortex's voice has become identifiable with Dimmu Borgir's sound over the past decade, and the same sound was contributed to in no small part by Mustis' composition. So it is likely that, far from being the next part in a trilogy as Shagrath suggested, the new album will be a far cry from anything the band has recorded in the past and will undoubtedly be controversial in composition and delivery, especially if a new singer is hired. As epidemia said, both were key men. It seems as if Shagrath might be turning into Ritchie Blackmore or Tuomas Holopainen.

The good is that the band retains two very valuable assets. The first is Galder, who has proven himself on one Old Man's Child album after another that his writing and playing skills are second to fucking none, and perhaps with these guys out he might take a role in writing the music (I mean, Slaves Of The World is better than anything Dimmu Borgir have released in years) and even in supplementing Shagrath's rather damp vocals with his own, much more convincing voice. The second is live drummer Daray (haven't seen them live then check out Vader's Art of War for proof of his skill) who we can only hope will be inducted into the band as a full member to beef out the sound some more. What's more, as others have astutely pointed out, the chances of an Arcturus reunion with Hellhammer are increased by Vortex's being out of a job, and that band fucking rocks.


I didn't know Daray played on Art of War. "This Is the War" and "What Colour Is Your Blood"...so technical and so quick. If Dimmu lands him as a full-time member, I anticipate their next release being their most brutal composition in the last decade.


Yup, the boy can really play! He also played on The Beast (as a stand-in) and on Impressions In Blood, both worth hearing if not quite as furious as Art of War. Like Galder though, it will just be a case of him being able to flex his muscles instead of just playing along with Silenoz.


I learn something new every day. I thought Doc played on AoW; regardless, Daray is an excellent drummer. I almost have Vader's entire discography. I don't have The Beast, but Impressions In Blood definitely keeps up with the AoW EP. This is good news. Hopefully we get an update soon about his future status with the band. That would make my week.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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31.08.2009 - 21:08
Arsen
Great news. I always considered Vortex's contribution to this band a waste of his talant. Hail Borknagar, hail Arcturus!
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