Burzum

Burzum

Burzum began in 1991 as a prominent and influential Norwegian black metal act by Varg Vikernes (born Kristian Vikernes). Originally, he used the pseudonym Count Grishnackh. Burzum has played a key role in the musical development of black metal, while Vikernes has also achieved a level of infamy for himself and the genre at large. Vikernes was convicted of the murder of Mayhem guitarist Øystein Aarseth (who is also known by the stage name "Euronymous") and additionally for the arson of several churches. Despite being in prison, Vikernes denies Burzum has been abandoned, and is "very much alive and well".

Biography

Burzum'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.

Currently, Vikernes is in prison for the murder of former musician Øystein Aarseth (Euronymous of Mayhem), as well as the arson of several Christian 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 church burning at the time of his arrest. This was due to the fact that 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.

I have also experienced most of the people supporting me or what I stand for are so-called "Nazis" - while almost everybody else has just condemned me and then boycotted me and everything I have done. What makes me different from the "Nazis" are basically three things; unlike them I am not socialistic (not even on a national level), I am not materialistic, and I believe in (the ancient Scandinavian!) democracy.

Varg has stated on burzum.org that "he laughs at people who call him a Nazi" because it is "simply not true", claiming that his earlier connections as a Nazi-like figure was that he tried to describe his ideas and used a politically incorrect or "generalised" term. He also has a positive opinion/admiration on the Slavs and their culture. Burzum is often mistakenly labeled as National Socialist black metal (NSBM) because of Varg's ideologies (which are seen as racist), despite the fact Burzum has no National Socialist lyrics. In fact, the only line pertaining to race is from "My Journey to the Stars", which is not racist per se, as it illustrates war.

Vikernes has also been labeled a Satanist due to his connections with Mayhem, his anti-Christianity, dark lyrics, and one of his songs pertaining to Satan ("Dominus Sathanas"). However, Vikernes also states on burzum.org he never believed in Satanism due to his perception of it being a Judeo-Christian concept, and at the time he labeled himself as a Satanist, he was under Euronymous' influence and very impressionable. He also believes Satanism is a capitalist concept due to so many black metal bands using it. Vikernes claims he is exclusively Pagan/Odalist.

Many of the Burzum albums feature illustrations by the Norwegian 19th century artist Theodor Kittelsen (1857–1914).

Discography

Albums (Studio)

• Burzum (1992)
• Det som engang var (1993)
• Hvis Lyset Tar Oss (1994)
• Filosofem (1996)
• Dauði Baldrs (1997)
• Hliðskjálf (1999)

Singles/EPs

• Aske [EP] - (1993)

Demos/Promos

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

Material on compilations

• Burzum / Aske - (1995) (Misanthropy edition)
• 1992-1997 [Compilation] - (1998)
• Dunkelheit [VHS] - (1996)
• Presumed Guilty - (1998)
• Gummo Soundtrack - (1998)
• Anthology - (2002)
• Fenriz Presents... The Best of Old-School Black Metal - (2004)
• Draugen - (2005)

Bootlegs

It is important to note that the material on the vast majority of Burzum bootlegs is quite often either fake or taken from the official Burzum demos/releases.

• Burzum & Gorgoroth - (1993)
• Svarte Dauen - (1998)
• Blast from the Ancient Past - (1999)
• A Blaze from the Northern Sky ... No Less - (1999)
• Et Hvitt Lys Over Skogen - (2000)
• Ragnarok (A New Beginning) (three editions) - (2000)
• ...Was Einst War - (2001)
• Burzum - (2001)
• Once Emperor - (2002)
• Anthology - (2002)
• Burzum/Svarte Dauen - (2003)
• Dauði Baldrs/Burzum & Gorgoroth - (2003)
• Hliđskjálf/Aske - (2003)
• Filosofem/Demo - (2003)
• Det Som Engang Var/Ragnarok I (A New Beginning) - (2003)
• Hvis Lyset Tar Oss/Ragnarok II (A New Beginning) - (2003)
• Unreleased Demos -92 - (2003)
• Svarte Dauen & Aske - (2003)
• Demo 91/92 & Svarte Dauen - (2004)
• Valhalla Awaits - (2004)
• Beneath the Ruins of Christianity - (2004) (Proven to be fake, as Vikernes has stated on http://www.burzum.org that Burzum never actually played live, only rehearsed before abandoning the idea. This bootleg seems to have been created by looping audience noise over low audio quality versions of official Burzum tracks.)
• Erste Waffen (2004)
• Winterliche Reinheit (2004)
• Demo 1&2 - (2005)
• Blast From The Ancient Past / Svarte Dauen - (2005)
• Ragnarok - Box - (2005)
• Draugen - (2005)
• Feeble Screams - (2005)
• Anthology - Lord Of Darkness - (2005)
• Gamle Snyder - (2006)
• Spell Of Destruction - Feeble Screams pt.II - (2006)
• Stemmen Fra Tarnet - (2006)

Tribute albums

• Visions – A Tribute to Burzum - Unholy Records (2002)
• A Man, A Band, A Symbol -Wotan's Reich Production (2003)
• Wotan Mit Uns! - Ancient Beliefs (2003)
• The Tribute - Ash Nazg / Perverted Taste (2005)
• Burzum Tribute Attakk - Underground Propaganda Records (2005)
• Triumph und Wille - 29A (2006)
• Lost Freedom - Patriot Production (2007)

Members

Current members

• Count Grishnackh (Varg Vikernes) - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Synth, Drums (1991–present)

Former members

• Samoth (Tomas Haugen) - Bass (1993)
• Euronymous - Guitar solo on "War"
• AiwarikiaR (Erik Lancelot) - Drums (never recorded, but was in the band for a short time, in an attempt by Varg 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

Related Artists

Involvements of Burzum

• Old Funeral
• Darkthrone
• Mayhem

General

• Immortal
• Enslaved
• Darkthrone