Creator Area
Sign in Creator Area

Practice Studio

Dimmu Borgir - Mourning Palace - Guitar Tab

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

Not in tune?

Select a Loop

Start of your loop
End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key D minor
Dimmu Borgir - Mourning Palace guitar tab video
Guillaume Vrac
Guillaume Vrac Top Contributor
YouTube: 144Ksubs 6Kviews
Creator Page →
PLAY WITH BACKING TRACK
·
–50¢ 0 +50¢
· Tap to start

Your browser will ask for microphone permission.

Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Enthrone Darkness Triumphant album cover
Enthrone Darkness Triumphant
1997 5:13
Listen on Spotify
Dimmu Borgir Black Metal 1997 D minor
Capo Advisor 0 D minor · Original key

About Mourning Palace

From the 1997 album "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant", "Mourning Palace" is one of the most guitar-forward tracks Dimmu Borgir recorded in their early career, built on a driving melodic riff that sits right at the heart of the Black Metal style. The song runs at 120 BPM in Eb Standard tuning, so drop your whole guitar a half step before you start. Playing in D minor at that tuning means your open strings and power chords will feel slightly looser than usual, which actually suits the dark, heavy atmosphere. The main riff relies on tremolo-picked single notes alternating with chordal stabs, and keeping that pick attack consistent across both techniques is what separates a clean run from a messy one. The transitions between the melodic lead passages and the heavier rhythm sections are where most players stumble, so use the Practice Toolbar to loop those spots slowed down until the hand memory is solid. Pay close attention to your fretting-hand muting too, since the tempo leaves little room to let unwanted strings ring out.

  • The song uses Eb Standard tuning, dropping every string a half step, so retune before playing or the riffs will clash badly against any backing track.
  • At 120 BPM the tremolo-picked melodic riff requires a very consistent alternate picking motion, making it a practical exercise for right-hand endurance and accuracy.
  • Smooth transitions between the tremolo-picked lead lines and the chordal rhythm sections are the main technical challenge and reward focused, isolated practice.

How to Play Mourning Palace

Tuning: Eb Standard · Key: D minor · Tempo: 120 BPM

It is played in Eb standard, a half step down, so tune down before you start or every position and bend will sit a half step sharp against the recording.

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 120 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

While Dimmu Borgir favors ESPs, the Les Paul's single-cutaway design mirrors their preferred body shape. Its thick body and sustain provide the weighty resonance that complements their drop-tuned, orchestral black metal riffs.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Les Paul Custom's premium construction and tonal characteristics align with Dimmu Borgir's need for clarity in dense symphonic arrangements. However, they prefer ESP's faster neck profiles for the rapid fretting demands of their technical compositions.

ESP Eclipse
Guitar

ESP Eclipse

Silenoz's signature guitar of choice, the ESP Eclipse delivers the fast, slim neck and aggressive voice essential for Dimmu Borgir's symphonic black metal. Its set-neck construction and 24 frets enable the precision and speed required for their intricate riffing.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

The Dual Rectifier's scooped, high-gain distortion with enhanced low-end thump defines Dimmu Borgir's modern studio and live tone since 'Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia'. This amp's tight response handles their drop-tuned brutality while maintaining clarity against orchestral layers.

EMG 81
Pickup

EMG 81

The EMG 81's compressed, focused output cuts through Dimmu Borgir's dense symphonic arrangements with surgical precision. Its active preamp and tight high-gain response are critical for maintaining definition at extreme gain levels during their fast, palm-muted passages.

ISP Decimator Noise Gate
Pedal

ISP Decimator Noise Gate

Dimmu Borgir's extreme gain settings and rapid palm-muting stops demand the ISP Decimator's responsive noise gating. This pedal eliminates feedback and unwanted noise while preserving the attack and dynamics essential to their symphonic black metal brutality.

Recommended for You

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)