Diabolis Interium [Extra tracks, Import]

Dark Funeral | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 22, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Tokuma Japan Comm.
• ASIN: B00005MIKA
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,805 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Arrival of Satan's Empire

2. Hail Murder

3. Goddess of Sodomy

4. Diabolis Interium

5. An Apprentice of Satan

6. Thus I Have Spoken

7. Armageddon Finally Comes

8. Heart of Ice

Editorial Reviews

Swedish edition of the death/black metal act's 2001 release packaged in a red leather digipak with gold lettering. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Modern Black Metal Classic - Not To Be Missed!, January 5, 2002

By 

Ken (Youngsville, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diabolis Interium (Audio CD)

Much has been said and debated concerning the unconventional twists and turns that black metal has been taking since about 1998. The innovators and purveyors of all that is black, unholy, and enigmatically "necro" - Emperor, Mayhem, Satyricon, and Tormentor, to name but a few - made drastic shifts and changes in sound, philosophy, and image at the turn of the millennium, allowing various other extreme musical genres as well as unconventional sounds to creep into the mix. And while many of these releases were monumental successes in their own right, a it's pretty safe to say that a great number of fans and followers sincerely felt abandoned, longing for the days when black metal was still just that - traditional black metal. The genre that fiercely prided itself on being "true" and underground was, oddly enough, expanding into wildly experimental territories. And although it was exciting and fresh to witness such developments in the scene, it left many wondering where to turn.
Well, look no further - Black Metal is alive and well. Along with the likes of Dark Throne, Immortal, and fellow countrymen Marduk, Dark Funeral have consistently released albums of the finest order to prove that the haunting spirit of Black Metal is still as vital as its ever been, no matter from which country it originates.
Just like any other genre, Black Metal has its share of "high-profile" bands that have released albums generally regarded as essential listening, most of which have been previously mentioned. After juggling - and then finally solidifying - a superb line-up over the course of a couple of albums while fostering and developing their talents (and I mention this to prove their success is the product of dedication and hard work, not luck or chance), Dark Funeral has finally become a name just as legendary as the rest of the Black Metal elite. Granted, with their hunger and vision they have always deserved it, but "Diabolis Interium", without a doubt their best album to date, has broken Dark Funeral away from the pack of Black Metal multitudes and undoubtedly has firmly placed them in the revered major-leagues once and for all.
It's actually a little difficult to pinpoint and explain the actual evidence of this development; personally, I believe it's because the entire essence of Dark Funeral was just so "on-the-mark" this time around - the writing, playing, production, packaging, etc. All of the ingredients of a "classic" just came together so perfectly that you can't help but agree upon listening that you're witnessing a landmark. But above all else is something here that many Black Metal artists forget to prioritize: GREAT SONGS. Unfortunately, the reason so many lesser-known BM bands stay that way is because while they work so hard on getting the right speed, guitar tone, production sound, corpse-paint, and general over-the-top ambience, they forget that great songs make an album worthwhile. Dark Funeral hasn't forgotten this, and that's where "Diabolus Interium" ultimately succeeds. Specifically speaking of great songwriting, "The Arrival Of Satan's Empire", is very reminiscent of "Anthems" -era Emperor, minus the keyboards. That's not to say it's unoriginal - far from it - that's just to say it has all the great essences and blood of some of the best Black Metal ever. No matter though, this single song is likely the greatest track Dark Funeral has penned yet; here's hoping that it's a sign of things to come. This same vibe and spirit are carried through the entire album, as "An Apprentice Of Satan", "Armageddon Finally Comes", the title track, and all the rest can prove.
At a time in which so many bands are ready to deny or tone down their Black Metal leanings, Dark Funeral are here to say that Black Metal is not dead, nor is it going away any time soon. At least not while they keep putting out superb albums that completely capture the urgency, the majesty, the horror, and the violence - the cornerstones of Black Metal - like "Diabolis Interium" does. And as the translated album title represents, there is definitely a beast within - a devil inside. Whether or not Dark Funeral is exorcising or exercising that demon, they sure are making Black Metal all the better for it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just try and catch your beath., January 27, 2005

By 

D. Knouse (vancouver, washington United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diabolis Interium (Audio CD)

The music here echoes from the early days of Emperor (sans keyboards) and oftentimes fine Immortal tendencies. Okay, so this is not a "groundbreaking" album crashing through the proverbial threshold of past excursions through the grim lands of Black Metal, but they emulate their peers admirably. The attack is brutal and straightforward for the most part, but after listening to the CD a few more times the "wall of sound" begins to bear fruit with some excellent guitar work and a lead vocal performance that never loses its intensity. The production on this disc is solid, as well, the most evident studio tricks used to enhance the vocalizations into a state of menacing provocation. The occasional sound effect adds just the right amount of flavor to these already dark proceedings. Not every song here is simply a blast of Black Metal rage. There are variations in tempo, the most effective track being "Goddess of Sodomy" (sick title), but the fury peaks again with the title song, "Diabolis Interium," which demands immediate submission or death! Outstanding sequencing! While I won't call this album a masterpiece it is nonetheless a brutal excursion into the realms of classic Black Metal without the symphonic bombast or progressive tendencies of other bands who hail from the genre. This album is uncompromising, in-your-face, spitting blood, corpse-painted Black Metal. A wicked album cover never hurts either. Later.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice little treat, September 1, 2004

By 

Matt Pullen "stickyshooZ" (USA, Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diabolis Interium (Audio CD)

If there is anything to like about this album it is the fact that it doesn't follow standard "true" black metal jurisprudences, but still manage to sound good without branching off into the mainstream. This album is not cold, grim, or necro like "true" black metal, it's much more polished and glabrous in sound and deliverance. The production is crystal clear without any rigid feel to it and every instrument can be heard with ease, with the exception of the double-kicks on drums. Most of the album is pretty damn fast, except for "Goddess of Sodomy," which is almost breaking the boundaries between mid-pace and fast. There are a lot of blast beats on drums, which only keeps things more chaotic.

When the guitars play, it feels like a steamroller is coming to run me down, because the entire sound is very thick and turbid, leaving no timbral space unoccupied. They provide a lot of melody with fast tremolo picking that doesn't let up once it starts. This album isn't the kind of black metal that resides in the cold forests on earth; instead it submerges into the pits of Hell and exhumes the elements of chaos and scorching fires. Yes, the name "Satan" is thrown around very much, but since when did lyrics or the band's image decide if the music was good or not? Ignore the nay sayers who call this mall core; they are stuck in their own close-minded world with their own stupid ideologies of what makes a black metal band tr00 and kvlt.

The vocals are like a growling scream, fairly raspy, but not very high in tone. The vocals are also fairly consistent and don't really change much in pitch, but that isn't an issue for me (nor others, I'm sure). None of the songs sound the same, but are constructed in a fairly similar manner. This is probably their best album when it comes to variety in songs; all of them are marvelous. It's evidencing that Dark Funeral really put their effort into this, because I find all of the songs to be equally enjoyable, which means they didn't run short of ideas and decide to throw any filler songs in. Everything about this album screams with aggression and energy that consumes listeners in a wake of inferno.

This is a nice solid album from Dark Funeral; probably their best so far. Ignore the super tr00ps and at least give this a chance before passing it up. However, if you're only into black metal that is cold, dark, and atmospheric, then you'll probably dislike this.