The Cowsills

. This is of course debatable, especially since Dimmu Borgir's lyrical content deals with material not usually considered "commercial". In 1971 the Cowsills stopped playing together as a band, but they have produced albums and performed from time to time. Some people also accuse Dimmu Borgir of being commercially-oriented and of being "sell-outs". The Cowsills were also known as spokespeople for the American Dairy Association, appearing in advertisements promoting milk. Some people discovered that Sorgens Kammer of the Stormblåst album seriously ressembles the intro tune from an Amiga game called Agony, while Dimmu Borgir didn't give them any credit and is sampled here. There were approached at one point to play the roles of the children on the television series The Partridge Family, but they were not willing to have actress Shirley Jones play the role of their mother instead of their real mother. Currently, the band is expecting to re-record Stormblast, as well as begin work on a new album.

The Cowsills also made many television appearances throughout the late 1960s and into the early 1970s, including on their own television special. Recently, Dimmu Borgir toured as part of Ozzfest. In 1969 they had another number two hit with their version of the title song from the musical Hair. Many fans disagree, however, maintaining a preference for the band's older, less bombastic style. After being signed by MGM records, they quickly became a popular act in the U.S., with their biggest hit song, The Rain, the Park and Other Things, reaching number 2 on the pop charts and selling more than one million copies. Death Cult Armageddon has often been cited by critics and new listeners as the band's strongest, most diverse album. They were encouraged by their parents, Barbara and Bud Cowsill, who drove them around to shows in the family's station wagon. Sections of the album were recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra to enhance the classical arrangements which have always augmented the band's style.

Originally inspired by the Beatles, the Cowsills developed their musicianship and harmonized vocals in performances at school dances and churches in their hometown. In 2003, Dimmu Borgir used their major record label financial leverage to create a monumental album titled Death Cult Armageddon. They were later joined by their siblings Susan and Paul and their mother, Barbara. Some fans accused the band of selling out due to the mass audiences which the albums reached. The Cowsills was a band that was formed in 1965 by four brothers — Barry, Bill, Bob, and John Cowsill — in Newport, Rhode Island. Dimmu Borgir's following full-length albums – Spiritual Black Dimensions (1999) and Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia (2001) – both met critical acclaim. Enthrone Darkness Triumphant was a huge success for the band, and it was their first release signed to the famous German record label Nuclear Blast.

Keyboardist Stian Aarstad left the band due to his obligation to serve in the Norwegian army, thus he was not able to participate in the recording of Devil's Path (1996). When he returned for the recording of Enthrone Darkness Triumphant (1997), he had trouble attending rehearsals and tourdates, and he was fired from the band. After Stormblåst, Dimmu Borgir's career took a sharp turn. It is also the last album which features all lyrics written and sung in Norwegian. Stormblåst received high praise from many melodic black metal fans, and is often regarded a highlight of the band's career.

In 1996, the band released their monumental album Stormblåst (translates to "Storm Blown"). This album featured musical contributions by members of Dødheimsgård and Ved Buens Ende. This short EP sold out within weeks, and the band followed up with the full length album For All Tid (1994) – the title translates to "For All Time". The band immediately released an EP entitled Inn I Evighetens Mørke (1994) – translated to English the title means "Into The Darkness Of Eternity".

Dimmu Borgir was originally founded in 1993 by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv. "Dimmu Borgir" means "Dark Castle" or "Dark Citadel" in Icelandic. Dimmu Borgir is a famous Norwegian melodic black metal band whose music has been in the charts in several Scandinavian countries and Germany. Dimmu Borgir Lyrics (http://www.darklyrics.com/d/dimmuborgir.html).

Dimmu Borgir Official Homepage (http://www.dimmu-borgir.com). Kimberly Goss - Keyboard - (Unknown Years). Tjodalv - Drums - (1993-1999). Nicholas Barker - Drums - (1999-2004).

Stian Aarstad - Keyboard - (1993-1997). Brynjard Tristan - Bass - (1994-1996). Nagash - Bass - (1996-1999). Astennu - Guitar - (1997-1999).

Reno Kiilerich - Drums - (2004-2004). Mustis (Øyvind Mustafarta) - Keyboard - (1998-). ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnaes) - Bass - (2000-). Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) - Guitar - (1993-).

Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen) - Guitar - (2001-). Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) - Vocals - (1993-). World Misanthropy [Live] - (2002). World Misanthropy [DVD/VHS] - (2002).

Alive In Torment [Live] - (2001). Godless Savage Garden [Compilation] - (1998). Death Cult Armageddon - (2003). Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia - (2001).

Spiritual Black Dimensions - (1999). 2002). Enthrone Darkness Triumphant - (1997) (Reis. Devil's Path [EP] - (1996).

Stormblåst - (1996). 1997). For All Tid - (1994) (Reis. Inn I Evighetens Mørke [EP] - (1994).

Time: 1993-. Status: Active. Country: Norway. Genre: Black metal, symphonic metal.