…und während BORKNAGAR ihren ICS Vortex an DIMMU BORGIR abgeben müssen, trennen sich diese von ihrem Gitarristen Astennu, um ihn durch Archon zu ersetzen. Grund für den Rausschmiss ist laut der Band der fehlende Enthusiasmus und das Desinteresse Astennu´s bezüglich DIMMU BORGIR. Nachdem die Band nun also wieder ein (vorerst) homogenes Line-Up zusammen hat, kann es im September mit den Aufnahmen zum neuen DIMMU-Album losgehen. Ein Titel für das neue Werk steht derzeit noch nicht fest.
Hier das Originalstatement der Band zum Rauswurf Astennu´s:
“With this statement we want to announce that Astennu has been fired and will no longer be a part of Dimmu Borgir. Basically we decided to release Astennu from all duties because it became apparent over the past 7-8 months that he was in the band for all the wrong reasons and had lost all of his passion and dedication, enthusiasm and 100% commitment to Dimmu Borgir and what we stand for. For all of us in the band, Dimmu is our life, it`s a way of life and not some fucking boring day job!!! So we came to a unanimous decision about the whole affair and we are proud to announce Astennu`s replacement, Archon on guitar who will appear on the forthcoming as yet untitled new album due to be recorded September 2000. Silenoz says:- “We kept the whole affair with Astennu confidential for a while untill we found a suitable replacement. Dedication and 100% commitment was what we were looking for in a musician and these are qualities we noticed immediately in Archon as well as being a killer guitarist and an individual.” -“The first two weeks with Archon proved to be very productive and successful and he’s allready contributed to three of the new songs. There’s a very positive atmosphere within the band and we’re looking forward to record the new material and next year’s world tour in support of the album!”