Burzum - Filosofem

1996 album for the now defunct Norwegian metal act. Six tracks. Misanthropy Records. Digipak. Album Description

A welcome surprise

So i used to be very critical of this "necro black metal" stuff that is very poorly produced, simple guitar riffs, simple drum lines and the like. But as i listened to it more, it grew on me. i started to listen to darkthrone. I finally decided i should get some burzum as it is considered as some of the best of the genre. WOW. the first track Dunkelheit is probably one of my favorite songs of all time. its so atmospheric and raw and just powerful. The rest of the album is the same. The last two tracks are keyboard instrumentals that last for nearly 20 minutes. It does get repetitice, but it induces a trance so the 20 minutes breeze by. Yes if you are a fan of virtuosity in your metal this probably isn't the stuff for you, but give it a chance. If you're not sure about it and granted the price is a bit high for Burzum stuff, try out darkthrone's under a funeral moon, granted its a little more straight forward metal it will give you a basic idea of what to expect.

Bottom line, this cd is amazing, a very ambient black metal recording filled with passion that induces a trance like state. I deffinatly recommend it. March 30, 2008

The album that defined contemporary black metal

I have such reverence for this album that it feels like arrogant presumption to even talk about it and judging it seems to be blind hubris. One thing is for sure: Filosofem ("The Philosophy") defined contemporary black metal by blatantly ignoring the rubrics, limitations and "rules" that had come before it and truly maturing the genre as a diverse artform. Before Filosofem most black metal sounded similar, explored similar lyrical motifs and avoided incorporating elements from other genres, after Filosofem black metal became a spirit rather than a rule-bound scene, a spirit which permeates every release but does not restrict the music technically. In essence Filosofem signaled the death knell of "true" black metal and gave birth to post-Black Metal.

Instead of having a fixed toolset to work with, Filosofem introduced the notion that the true black metal artist should use whatever he can to express the feeling of dread, isolation and misery he is overcome with - inspiring contemporary bands like Deathspell Omega, Diabolical Masquerade, Astrofaes, Leviathan, Xasthur and Blut Aus Nord to incorporate experimental, introspective movements within their work which during the time before Filosofem would have been considered pretentious at best, and at worst, a betrayal of the "true" meaning of black metal.

Filosofem ignored the restrictive boundaries and formula of prior black metal and presented a very personal, existential philosophy on life - expressed musically in a novel way. Here we see the introduction of the heavily distorted, maddened, desperate style of vocals, the complex layering of complicated guitar riffs to create the illusion of chaos, the slow heartbeat style of drumming used as a bassline to give a song an immediate contemplative effect, introspective melodies choked by dry, scratching riffing, the introduction of industrial instruments to accomplish emotional effects, highly personal stream of consciousness lyrics rather than punk inspired, macho, silly Satan worship, and finally, and perhaps most novel: completely throwing out formulaic song structures, constructing songs as to express a philosophy or idea rather than to merely "rock out" at a concert, constructing entire tracks around ambient noise and droning, austere, mind provoking, minimalistic melodies.

In essence Filosofem introduced the idea of a personal project that wasn't meant to be played live, that wasn't trying to prove anything to anyone, that was created in a way that most clearly expresses a philosophy for means of meditation and reflection. Many "solo" black metal bands emerged after the advent of Filosofem as men found it an ideal method of expression without pretending to be a rock star, or suiting themselves to the puerile expectations of others. Today Varg Vikernes remains an especially aloof, erudite, thoughtful man who still holds to the notion that Burzum was created for his own good, not the entertainment of others, and especially not for purposes of fame or gold; at most the music is offered in hopes of sharing insights gained, in darkness and in hardship. Fame, roadies, intoxication and the whole "scene" which accompanies music is worthless for Varg, and he showed others soon to form solo projects that it was capable to express oneself honestly, and in whatever way is best (meaning: no limitations), without needing to feel shame. This sort of integrity is known only to good philosophers and the method to which Varg created his music is still imitated today as good philosophers still imitate the Socratic Method.

Filosofem is a profound, moving experience that is crucial listening for those seeking an examination of the human spirit. January 31, 2008

Don't know exactly why I like it.....

But it is very interesting and unique. The guitars are very chainsaw-like. There's even a 25 minute trippy, ambient type song mixed in here. I never realized how heavy some Black Metal can be.

I hear the lead singer is in jail for 21 years, for multiple church burnings and the murder of the lead singer of another band, which I heard was also a great band. Interesting stuff.

Anyway, I think the uniqueness and innovation is what really draws me to this band's music.

Personal faves are the 1st two tracks.

I recommend this to fans of Black and even Death Metal. December 10, 2007

Draugen !!!!!

I don't know why but I love this album, is not as good as "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" and "Det Som Engang Var", but it is very interesting. All the Artwork is by Theodor Kittelsen. This album comes in a Digipak and only in the back part of the Digipak German language is used, in the inside booklet is all in Norwegian with the lyrics, some stories and more draws by Kittelsen. Bad production? Maybe but I don't care, it was because Varg used the worst mic he could find and he played with ordinary instruments, and also he took only 17 hours to record this masterpiece. Track 5 is very very long but is relaxing, perfect to paint or to smoke a cigarette in your room or to just lie in your bed while you listen to it.
A mix of Black metal and ambient music make this album worth buying for burzum fans and for people that want creativity and not the same kind of music you can find in almost all the Black metal bands. November 16, 2007

Varg's masterpiece

This is the last Burzum album that is metal, with the next two being dark ambient recorded in his jail cell. While those are good, they don't have the same impact as his metal albums and in particular, this one. This was released while he was in jail and he says he has never heard the final master of it (he has later explained why he said that) but it is perfect. A lot of people like to complain about the sound, saying it is horrible and that any atmosphere is lost due to it, but that is simply untrue. Any real black metal fan knows that production like this only ENHANCES the atmosphere to even greater proportions. While Varg may not be the most talented musician in the world, his knack for songwriting and mesmerizing passages are one of a kind. Just listen to the first track, Dunkelheit, and tell me it is not brilliant.

This album consists of 4 metal tracks and 2 ambient ones, the last two being ambient, and even more, the last track is the ambient version of track 4.

1. Dunkelheit (Darkness) - metal
2. Jesus' Tod (The Death of Jesus) - metal
3. Erblicket Die Töchter Des Firmaments (Beholding the Daughters of the Firmament) - metal
4. Gebrechlichkeit I (Decrepitude I) - metal
5. Rundgang Um Die Transzendentale Säule Der Singularität (Travelling Between the Transcendental Pillars of Singularity, or something like that. My German is not too good) - ambient
6. Gebrechlichkeit II (Decrepitude II) - ambient

With that said, the metal songs themselves are really Ambient Black Metal because they entrance you and provide wondeful soundscapes. Every track on here is amazing, even the 25 minute track 5, which works even if it is only the same 6 notes being played over and over again. Listen to this in the dark and let your mind wander far off into the distant mountains and forests. The repetition each song presents is never boring, but mesmerizing and captivates you and pulls you into its dark lair. Listening to these songs, it's like you are dreaming, dreaming something cold and sorrowful, then you awake to find yourself amidst a nighttime forest filled with all the creatures that the night brings.

Varg was/is a master of composing beautiful melodies and epic black metal and turning everything upside down in the process, making everything you think you know about black metal irrelevant. If you can buy only one album, let it be this one and discover the secrets of the universe in the process...

P.S. To everyone who takes sides with Euronymous and Varg. Can't you just enjoy both bands?


September 8, 2007

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