BURZUM "Fallen" (Byelobog)

This is the second album created by Vikernes after his discharge and he seems to have been crushed against his own inspiration. That he’s fulfilled with some kind of vision alike to his project’s glorious days it is much obvious. But the pretentious creation of that once black atmosphere fails to show the frisson his previous works did breathe of. Even if Varg keeps doing his demo-like stuff as musical homework, “Fallen” is his first album to date that smells of “new” elements. More clean, more transparent, more feckless. As if he’s entered some studio with expensive material intending to distinguish the old touch of “Belus”, even of “Det Som Engang Var”. The record itself is not that unpleasant. I listened to this many times (believe me) before I make my choice. In fact, the riffs are there, the bass tricks also (even if its ton is recorded at lower volume than this record’s predecessor) and I could say that Varg moves in the right path that he almost recompenses the fans for his ambient musical past which wasn’t that bad at all. I strongly believe that “Hlidkjalf” is still a masterpiece. What’s the real problem anyway? Well, to be honest, I’d have to say that I didn’t enjoy his vocal work. His harsh voice keeps spitting some of the lyrics but when he chooses to sing in clean tone I almost get sick of it. One would say that Varg somehow reveals his Bathory influences and that wouldn’t be wrong. Even if that’s his aim, though, I believe he has failed to be that much convincing. Anyway, the fans will probably appreciate this new Burzum effort even if it’s miles away from Varg’s peerless aesthetics in both music and layout covers. What the fuck is this painting he’s used as a cover for “Fallen” anyway? I’ve got to admit though, it’s suitable to the musical background of the record. Totally up to you whether you like it or not. Varg is here still once more. Just slightly changed.

Miltos XIC

BURZUM "Belus" (Byelobog)

Vikernes is here still. Whoever had missed a “classic” Burzum record, then he will surely be pleased with this one. Ok, the atmosphere of “Belus” isn’t that algid as in “Hvis Lyset Tar Oss” or in “Filosofem” albums but the common minimalistic riffing will pleasantly torture your ears. Both “Daudi Baldrs” and “Hlidskjalf” belong to the long past and in this we face a great incision between his “Det Som Engang Var” and “Filosofem” albums. Vikernes also surprises with some of the composures even if sixteen years of his life in prison spent much of his precious time. In “Belus”, you’re going to even listen to some unceasing riff-ology that reminds of the old (good) German thrash metal. As of the rest of the songs, the bass lines define the base and atmosphere over which some high melodic guitar melodies are played. The album invests both in up-tempo (with primitive, so fucking cool blasting) and mid-tempo composures in which the slow rhythms of drums accompany the quick scratching of guitar cords, creating that way the familiar Burzum mood as we’d known it to be. Vikernes is full of promises for the future and possibly he reaches the glory of the past. That is said since he hadn’t the chance, for so many years, to waste his unique style in repeating composures. Probably a comeback to the early 90′s? Truly, I don’t know. I only know that I wish it so much as anything.

Miltos XIC