BURZUM — Burzum (review)

BURZUM — Burzum album cover Album · 1992 · Black Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
J-Man
This self-titled debut from Burzum is typically overshadowed by some of Varg's later classics like Hvis Lyset Tar Oss and Filosofem, but in reality this is a fairly solid entrance from one of black metal's most pivotal figures. Varg Vikernes and his one-man-band established their unique style on this debut, although it's much more rough around the edges and underdeveloped than what newer fans may expect. Whereas many later Burzum albums have an extensive influence from dark ambient that would later pave the way for depressive black metal, this humble debut is much more of a raw, unpolished, and basic representation of early nineties' black metal. It's clear that Vikernes had not yet entirely gotten a knack for the haunting and mystical songwriting that characterizes his later releases, and while this is still a pretty original album by 1992's standards, it stands inferior to what Burzum is capable of, as well as what black metal at large is capable of. It's a somewhat original and, in many regards, classic debut, but it's not one that I'll listen to all too often.

While this is a bit different from later Burzum albums, you still have a large amount of the mid-tempo and depressing riffs that made Burzum stand out from many other black metal acts. They're a lot more sparingly used, though, and the dark ambient influences here are kept to a few fairly brief synthesizer or sound effect interludes. A few other unexpected influences creep in, though, and the straight up thrash tune “War” surprised me a great deal the first time I heard it. While most of this album is certainly competent, and often times even above average, it simply lacks the torturous and helplessly bleak atmosphere that I look for when putting on a Burzum album.

So even though Burzum is a somewhat original album in terms of black metal in 1992, it misses the mark when it comes to creating the bleak imagery I hope to experience when putting on such an album. The songwriting simply feels too inconsistent and gimmicky for my tastes, often failing to leave a lasting impression even though I do enjoy the album while it's on. A decent effort from Varg Vikernes, no doubt, but it's certainly not one of the first albums I'd recommend hearing from black metal's most notorious figure. I'd say a middle-of-the-road 3 stars are deserved for this very middle-of-the-road debut. Better things were to come.
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