DIMMU BORGIR's KEYBOARDIST SACKED

Reports have been abound that MUSTIS (Øyvind Mustaparta-keyboards) and ICS VOTEX (Simen Hestnæs-clean vocals and bass) have been fired from Norwegian black/extreme metal gods DIMMU BORGIR this week via text message.
FROM BLABBERMOUTH.NET: Mustis (real name: Øyvind Mustaparta), the former keyboardist for the Norwegian symphonic black metal band DIMMU BORGIR, has released the following statement:

"Attention to all the worldwide fans of my work with DIMMU BORGIR: I feel that I must begin my note to you all by saying that your dedication and interest in my musical work with DIMMU BORGIR has been greatly appreciated by me for many, many years and you all have motivated me to continue to push the creative envelope farther each and every day.

"You might be able to see where this note is heading and if you are thinking correctly you will know that I am informing you all that I am no longer associated with the band and have left the ranks of DIMMU BORGIR effective immediately.

"My departure was not entirely of my own accord and while I had felt this change was something imminent for my future, my time had been spent addressing the fact that many songs written by me had not been registered properly under my name in their credits. Without naming every single track, let us just say that a good majority of albums like 'Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia' and 'In Sorte Diaobli' would have been vastly different had I not composed and created as much as I actually did. Sadly, based on terrible gaps in the communication process and a failure to find logical rationale for why this had been done this way found me hitting wall after wall as opposed to finding a professional and reasonable solution to the problem. My inquiries and investigation into the issues which I wished to resolve and move on from would in the end find me being fired from the group. No discussions about it, just 'goodbye' (via text message).

"I can say to you that this was not a new dispute and is something that has been going on for some years and since these are my individual creative rights and work that are being denied of me, we shall now let the resolution come from the lawyers instead of dealing with more dishonesty and lies on a one-on-one personal level. On this I cannot say anymore because we will be walking into sticky legal territory.

"I mentioned earlier that my fans have motivated me to create great music again and again and they should know that I will continue to do this and shall return to them in the not-too-distant future with material that I hope will keep their metal needs fed.

"In advance, I will say that I thank you for notes and texts of support and ask that you please understand that there is not much more I can say on this, nor will be able to answer every single message that I get. I ask you to please keep tabs on my official MySpace page. I will do my best to post what I am legally allowed to share with you so you remain informed."

As previously reported, Mustis indicated on his MySpace page that ICS Vortex (clean vocals, bass; real name: Simen Hestnæs) has also been dismissed from DIMMU BORGIR, but this has not yet been confirmed by Vortex or anyone else associated with the group.

An official statement on the matter from DIMMU BORGIR is expected to be released shortly.
FROM DIMMU BORGIR: "We regret to inform you that we have parted ways with both Vortex [bass, clean vocals] and Mustis [keyboards]. However, we do want to make it perfectly clear that the creative force in the band is highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever. With that being said, we're currently working on our next album and are excited to start a new chapter in the legacy that is DIMMU BORGIR."

Mustis (real name: Øyvind Mustaparta) issued a statement yesterday (Sunday, August 30) claiming that his dismissal from DIMMU BORGIR was caused by his efforts to "address the fact that many songs written by me had not been registered properly under my name in their credits. Without naming every single track, let us just say that a good majority of albums like 'Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia' and 'In Sorte Diaobli' would have been vastly different had I not composed and created as much as I actually did," he said. "Sadly, based on terrible gaps in the communication process and a failure to find logical rationale for why this had been done this way found me hitting wall after wall as opposed to finding a professional and reasonable solution to the problem. My inquiries and investigation into the issues which I wished to resolve and move on from would in the end find me being fired from the group. No discussions about it, just 'goodbye' (via text message)."

FROM ICS Vortex (real name: Simen Hestnæs): ICS Vortex (real name: Simen Hestnæs), the former bassist/clean vocalist for the Norwegian symphonic black metal band DIMMU BORGIR, has released the following statement regarding his departure from the group:

"I've really enjoyed the ride; the DIMMU years have been awesome. I look forward to concentrating fully on my own project now, and the opening possibility to resurrect a band or three.

"A special thanks to all the crazy and lovely people I have met on the road with DIMMU over the years, for the support from so many of you, and for the continuing interest in my musical projects. I will always treasure the albums and the brotherhood as it was before the cabin-fever music industry and greed went METALLICA on our asses.

"My support goes to Mustis [former DIMMU BORGIR keyboardist; real name: Øyvind Mustaparta], the true creative force in DIMMU for the last ten years, and his rightful legal chase."

Simen will meet his LAMENTED SOULS bandmates in mid-September to plan a new release and a few gigs in Norway. He is also planning to get together with the rest of ARCTURUS to discuss the group's future and a possible reunion.

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-