Dimmu Borgir Returns to the U.S. With Their, “Grand Serpent Rising” Tour at Denver, Colorado’s Mission Ballroom

By: Terrell Stewart

It has been 8 years since Dimmu Borgir toured the U.S. and I was crazy excited to have the opportunity to cover their show in Denver. Unfortunately, Swedish melodic death metal band Hypocrisy canceled their entire August 2026 North American run—including their support slot on Dimmu Borgir's "Grand Serpent Rising" tour and their own headline dates, due to unforeseen Visa Issues. 

Washington’s own Dark Metal band Hulder opened their powerful set with, “A Beacon From Darkened Skies”  setting the tone for what would be a powerful night of, “symphonic black metal”. Sadly, getting pictures was almost impossible because of the extreme over use of heavy fog and red back lighting. It was tough to see the members even in front of the stage. But, that did not stop their powerful set of music that filled the venue and had the crowd mesmerized. Hulder closed out their set with, “…and We Shall Sing”, from their newly released album, Verbolgen and the crowd roared with appreciation!

Hulder members:
Hulder - lead singer
Necreon - Bass guitar
Vapula - percussion
Kel - guitar

Setlist:
A Beacon From Darkened Skies
View From Nemeton
Sylvan Awakening
Verses in Oath
Vessel of Suffering
Drie Raven
...And We Shall Sing

With a roar from the excited crowd, Dimmu Borgir took the stage and wasted no time starting their night of symphonic black metal with, “Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel2” from their latest album, Grand Serpent Rising and the power from the band and Shagrath’s vocals poured out over their fans whose arms were raised throwing up the horns! You could feel the adrenaline coming from the stage and the crowd soaked it up with every song. 

As the band unleashed the hold on the crowd taking them back and forth in time with songs, “Mourning Palace” from 1997, “The Serpentine Offering” from 2007, “Puritania” from 2001, “Council of Wolves and Snakes” from 2018. Overall, a very powerful set of music which kept their fans moving throughout the night. Winding down from an amazing show, Dimmu Borgir finished with “Progenies of the Great Apocalypse” from 2003 and “Perfection or Vanity” from 2001.

This was my first time seeing Dimmu Borgir after missing them 8 years ago. The wait… was worth every second of this show! 

Members:
Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) – rhythm guitar (1993–present), lead vocals (1993–1995), bass (1993, 2009–present)
Shagrath (Stian Tomt Thoresen) – lead vocals (1995–present), drums (1994–1995), lead guitar (1995–1997), keyboards, synthesizer, bass (1993, 2009–present)
Current session/touring musicians
Daray (Dariusz Brzozowski) – drums (2008–present)
Gerlioz (Geir Bratland) – keyboards, synthesizer (2010–present)
Victor Brandt – bass (2018–present)
Damage (Kjell Åge Karlsen) – lead guitar (2025–present)
 
Setlist:
Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel2
Mourning Palace 
Kings of the Carnival Creation
Council of Wolves and Snakes 
As Seen in the Unseen
Ascent
Stormblåst
Reptile
The Insight and the Catharsis
The Serpentine Offering 
Puritania 
Gateways 
Progenies of the Great Apocalypse 2003
Perfection or Vanity

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DIMMU BORGIR