Burzum

Burzum

Burzum is the musical project of Varg Vikernes (under the pseudonym "Count Grishnackh"). It began during 1991 in Bergen, Norway and quickly became prominent within the early Norwegian black metal scene. During 1992–1993, Burzum recorded four albums that played a key role in the development of black metal. However, in 1993 Vikernes was convicted and imprisoned for the murder of guitarist Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth and the arson of several churches. While imprisoned, Vikernes has recorded two albums in the dark ambient style.

Musical style

Burzum's music features characteristics common in black metal, including distorted, tremolo picked guitar riffs, harsh vocals, and the use of blast beats techniques in the drumming. All of the band's albums feature intentionally low production quality. The band's early music shows a moderate Tolkien influence; for example, the name Count Grishnackh is taken from an orc character called Grishnákh in Tolkien's works. The choice of the name for the project reflects both this influence and the desire for anonymity: "Burzum" is a word of the Black Speech of Mordor meaning "darkness" (though Vikernes believes that Pagans consider it to mean "light" as opposed to how Christians consider it to mean "darkness"), and is one of those found on the Ring-inscription of the One Ring (the final part of the Ring inscription being "...agh Burzum-ishi krimpatul", "...and in the darkness bind them"). Some of Burzum's early songs featured titles like "En Ring Til Å Herske" ("One Ring To Rule"); however, Vikernes later explained this to be a reference to the Rheingold of Norse mythology rather than to Tolkien's works, which themselves owe debt to Norse mythology. As he continued to release albums, Vikernes' attraction to Norse mythology and Pagan beliefs became more and more apparent. Much of Burzum's later music focuses on Norse legends, especially his most recent two ambient albums: Dauði Baldrs, which deals exclusively with the legend of the death of Baldr, and Hliðskjálf, which recounts the death of Wotan and the approach of Ragnarök.

Musically, Burzum has progressed from primitive, raw black metal to classical-influenced ambient music characterised by minimalist tendencies and dark atmospheres. Vikernes' music is characterised by hypnotic repetition and simple yet profound song structures; this trademark sound has been present on Burzum's black metal and electronic albums alike. Vikernes has described Burzum as a kind of "spell" or recreation of an imaginary world tied in with Pagan history. Each album, he claims, was designed as a kind of "spell" in itself, with each beginning song intending to make the listener more susceptible to "magick", the following songs to inspire a "trance-like state of mind", and the last song to carry the listener into a "world of fantasy" (dreams, for the listener would fall asleep - Burzum was supposed to have been evening music). Vikernes claims the intent to create this fantasy world came from dissatisfaction with the real world. He has stated the "message" of Burzum can be found in the lyrics of the first song of the first album (Feeble Screams From Forests Unknown); the following lyrics act as footnotes.

History

Vikernes' imprisonment (1993-present)

Currently, Vikernes is in prison for the murder of former musician Øystein Aarseth (Euronymous of Mayhem), as well as the arson of several Churches in Norway, which were previously pagan halls. Vikernes is suspected to have taken part in various other crimes, and was believed to have been planning another arson at the time of his arrest. This was because police found 100 kg of dynamite in his home, the presence of which was explained by Vikernes' hobby of collecting weapons. According to Vikernes himself: "...the claim I had plans to blow up churches with my dynamite is from 1994, and was made by a guy working for the police. That was the first time I ever heard of such plans, simply because I have never had any such plans." In 2004 during a week long release from prison, he failed to return to the prison in the preordained time. Some days later, he was found riding in a stolen Volvo car, which contained an unloaded AG3 automatic rifle, a handgun, numerous large knives, a gas mask, camouflage clothing, a laptop, a compass, a Global Positioning System, various maps and a fake passport (it is thought that Vikernes came to be in possession of this equipment by means of a military barracks). Thirteen months were added to his sentence as a result.

Discography

Studio albums

• 1992 – Burzum (recorded January 1992)
• 1993 – Det Som Engang Var (recorded April 1992)
• 1994 – Hvis Lyset Tar Oss (recorded September 1992)
• 1996 – Filosofem (recorded March 1993)
• 1997 – Dauði Baldrs (recorded in prison 1994-1995)
• 1999 – Hliðskjálf (recorded in prison 1998)

EPs

• 1993 – Aske

Demos/Promos

• 1991 – Burzum (Demo I)
• 1991 – Burzum (Demo II)
• 1992 – Burzum (Promo)

Compilation albums

• 1995 – Burzum / Aske
• 1998 – 1992-1997
• 2002 – Anthology
• 2005 – Draugen
• 2008 – Lord Of Darkness Anthology

Other appearances

• 1998 – Presumed Guilty – "Et Hvitt Lys Over Skogen"
• 1998 – Gummo Soundtrack – "Rundtgåing Av Den Transcendentale Egenbetens Støtte"
• 2004 – Fenriz Presents... The Best of Old-School Black Metal – "Ea, Lord Of The Depths"

Tributes to Burzum

• 2002 – Visions – A Tribute to Burzum
• 2003 – A Man, A Band, A Symbol
• 2003 – Wotan Mit Uns!
• 2005 – The Tribute
• 2005 – Burzum Tribute Attakk
• 2006 – Triumph und Wille
• 2007 – Lost Freedom
• 2008 - A Hungarian Tribute to Burzum: Life Has New Meaning

Members

Current members

• Count Grishnackh (Varg Vikernes) – vocals, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, synthesizer (1991–present)

Former members

• Samoth (Tomas Haugen) – bass guitar on Aske (1992)
• Euronymous (Øystein Aarseth) – guitar solo on "War" from Burzum (1992)
• AiwarikiaR (Erik Lancelot) – drums (never recorded, but was in the band for a short time, in an attempt to transform Burzum into a live band. After a few weeks of rehearsals, Vikernes regretted the idea and abandoned it before ever actually performing live. This occurred after the release of the Aske EP).

External links

• Official website
• Burzum on Encyclopaedia Metallum
• Burzum on Rockdetector
• Burzumm on All Music Guide