Burzum - Belus

  by Andrew Carver

published: 25 / 4 / 2010

Label: Bydobog productions
Format: CD

intro

Drone-friendly black metal from Burzum, the project of Scandinavian musician Varg Vikernes, which was recorded upon his release after sixteen years in prison

Varg Vikernes is widely regarded as one of the most important early influences of black metal in Scandinavia for his work with Old Funeral, Mayhem and his albums under the Burzum name, particularly ‘Filosefem’, which inspired countless other lo-fi metal works. Vikernes’ real claim to infamy, however, is his murder of Mayhem bandmate Euronymous in August 1993, his conviction for the burning of several historic churches in Norway and his alleged connections with the country’s far right. During his 16 years in jail, Vikernes recorded a pair of ‘dark ambient’, minimalist albums using a synthesizer (other instruments being forbidden), ‘Dauoi Baldrs’ and ‘Hlioskjalf’ before ending his musical projects in 1999, having apparently grown tired of what he regarded as specious connections to Satanism in the black metal scene. Paroled in 2009, Vikernes set to work on ‘Belus’, which is some ways a philosophical successor to ‘Dauoi Baldrs’. Both albums deal with the death and rebirth of a sun deity, whose passing and entombment brings the onset of winter and whose return signals the advent of spring. It’s most certainly a musical sequel to ‘Filosefem’, with a very similar sonic feel. 'Belus’ starts with ‘The Intrigues of Leuke’ which is just the sound of a bottle tumbling on a floor. A half-minute of that and it’s into the meat of the album, with ‘Belus’ Dod’ - the steady thump of drums, Vikernes’ raspy howls and incantations, the angry buzz of black metal guitar. The rest of the album continues in a similar vein. The drums may speed up or slow down, but the dedication to low-grade buzz is a constant, giving the entire album a repetitive, ceremonial feel. Lyrically, the album covers a sorcerer's trip to the underworld (Kelio) to return the spirit of the sun to its rightful place in the world above, ending with the song ‘Morgenrode’ (i.e. ‘Dawn’) and the instrumental ‘Belus’ Tilbakekomst’ - that is, ‘The Return of Belus’. Overall, ‘Belus’ is a decent listen. The world of ‘black metal’ has expanded quite a bit during Vikernes’ years away, leaving some with a feeling that ‘Belus’ is treading water. Others will find it a bit tedious, but drone-friendly listeners and fans of old school black metal will get more enjoyment out of it.

Track Listing:-