Dimmu Borgir hires Kjell “Damage” Karlsen from Chrome Division as new guitarist
Symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir faced a significant setback last August when their guitarist of 25 years, Tom Rune Andersen Orre, known as Galder, decided to leave the band to resurrect Old Man’s Child. This unexpected move left Dimmu Borgir without a lead guitarist, creating a void in their lineup as they were in the midst of working on a follow-up to their 2018 album, Eonian. The band took to social media to announce that they had found a replacement for Galder in the form of Kjell “Damage” Karlsen, the frontman of Chrome Division. This decision to recruit Karlsen aligns with the fact that Dimmu Borgir’s vocalist, Shagrath, is also a member of Chrome Division.
In their official statement, Dimmu Borgir expressed their enthusiasm for the new addition to the band. They welcomed Karlsen with open arms, praising his talent and anticipating what he will bring to the group. The band members have already had the pleasure of working and rehearsing with Karlsen over the past few months and are eager to hit the stage with him, starting this summer. They encouraged their fans to join them in welcoming Karlsen into the fold and hinted at the exciting performances to come with him on board.
Dimmu Borgir wasted no time in showcasing their new guitarist, as they performed live with Karlsen at the Tons of Rock festival in Oslo, Norway, over the weekend. The band’s fans were able to witness the chemistry and energy of this renewed lineup firsthand. For those looking to experience the revamped Dimmu Borgir live, the band has lined up various tour dates as part of the Chosen Legacy tour, culminating in performances across Europe.
This announcement of Dimmu Borgir’s new guitarist comes as a relief to fans who were concerned about the band’s direction following Galder’s departure. Karlsen’s joining the band injects fresh excitement and creativity into Dimmu Borgir, ensuring that their upcoming projects will be nothing short of phenomenal. The band’s decision to bring Karlsen on board cements their commitment to delivering powerful and engaging music for their loyal fan base.
As Dimmu Borgir moves forward with their music and performances, the addition of Kjell “Damage” Karlsen as their new guitarist marks a new chapter in the band’s illustrious career. With a renewed sense of purpose and energy, Dimmu Borgir is set to captivate audiences and solidify their position as one of the leading forces in the symphonic black metal genre. Fans can expect nothing short of excellence from this iconic band as they forge ahead with Karlsen by their side.