Album Details

• Artist: Burzum
• Album: Fallen
• Label: Byelobog
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2011-02-16

The legend returns, for better or worse. Black Metal god Varg Vikernes second release since his own release from prison, is a dark, icy blast of what you have come to expect from Burzum.

"Fallen" is both metallic and ambient, majestic in its walls of bleak sound. Clearly it is easier to take a stand on the music than it is on the man. Vikernes was released from almost 20 years in prison for killing another Norwegian Black metal hero (the now all-too appropriately named Dead). His music here has heavy doses of his usual malevolence, especially "Fra Verdenstreet,"   the title track and "Enhver til Sitt." Since the language is foreign to me, I'm not sure if he addresses his past or not, though Varg has said that on this record he chose to focus on existential issues as well as on the personal. Clearly he wraps whatever confessions there are in a cold, mythical setting, one that is powerful and distant, as was mostly likely was intended.

For a controversial figure whose life has sometimes crossed the line from the dank fantasy world of his music into questionable action, Varg Vikernes has managed to keep much of his mystery intact. The music of Burzum, here on "Fallen" as on other classics like "Det Som Engang Var" and "Belus," cloaks as much darkness as it reveals. The truth is in its shadows, and Vikernes hints that there are many to be found on this enigmatic record.

User Reviews and Comments

on 2011-03-07 SolitaryMan Said:

Actually, Varg didn't kill Dead, Dead shot himself. Varg and Euronymous (the man he did kill, the original Mayhem guitarist), photographed Dead's body for a bootleg album cover. The infamous legend of Mayhem and Varg Vikernes are staples of black metal history. I really enjoyed "Belus", so hopefully I find myself enjoying this as well. Thanks for the review, didn't even realize this was out yet.
Not Rated