Best Burzum album from both eras

[Hubster]

Derbeder, even if I disagree with you, our common posts back in the old Classical Music thread days are fond memories

however much i like burzum, there is no way i can find any enjoyment in varg's infamous casio works

Even a carton of beer being mailed your way wouldnt justify the gold status of that comment! Gold!

 

[derbeder]

since then i have picked up loads of jordi savall, by the way. i already had a couple recordings but i like the new ones even more. les voix humaines was indeed a good recommendation. thanks a lot for that. i would suggest that as a first listen to others as well. but his 5 cd recording of marin marais and two cd recording of saint colombe are the real gems. the sound quality of the saint colombe records (from harmonia mundi) is exceptional too. do you have the cd El Cant de la Sibil-la, Mallorca & València, 1400-1560 with montserrat figueras singing and jordi savall conducting the orchestra and playing the fiddle? that has become one of my favorite recordings of early music (with vocals).

 

[Hubster]

Oh you bastard! Thats some excellent pickup's there. I have the Marais & Colombe series, they are simply stunning.

As for Savall + Figueras recordings, we only have Battaglie & Lamenti at the moment. I love Figueras' voice (inclusive of the fact that she is a stunning woman also). She is particularly great at singing laments. I would love to see her doing some more choral-styled works, her voice speaks emotion in ways many singers can only dream of.

I've actually been getting into Bach recordings, and also some German cantatas by Andreas Scholl (my god, what a voice!). Scholl's works tend to be released on Harmonia Mundi as well. Speaking of Bach, Im going to see some Brandenburg concerts soon! Cant wait!

Btw, if you havent already got this, I HIGHLY recommend it:

This is Bach's "Suite in G Minor - BWV 995". Works for Lute and Lute Harpsichord.

The second half of the CD is the best - it features the Lute Harpsichord recordings, which are beautifully done. Absolute clarity & resonance and of course amazingly played. Th lute works are great, but for "strummed" string instruments, the theorbe is my personal choice (greater range imo).

PS - in a big change for AliaVox, they have released (wait for it!) a MOZART work ("Mozart - Eine kleine Nachtmusik")! This is a big move for them, as they have always specialised in Early & Baroque Music.

PS - I believe the fiddle you speak of is infact a "pardessus de viole". There are 6 kinds of viola da gambas, and this one is the smallest. Ive seen one live (the only one in Australia we were told). Apparently this type is rare.

 

[affinityband]

the only thing i really like about Burzum is how painful vargs voice sounds.

 

[:Wreath:]

prison is very metal \m/

 

[Larsson]

Whats the deal about Burzum? A confused little boy(that guy cant be an adult mentally) with a guitar and a bad amp trying to make music. Horrible musician to say the least. And I love how neo-nazis look up to a guy who sounds like a girl and sings about orcs, pathetic.

 

[hibernal_dream]

And I love how neo-nazis look up to a guy who sounds like a girl and sings about orcs, pathetic.

Um...So? Wagner looked like a girl too and wrote music about valkyries

 

[Larsson]

But wagner didnt suck.

And, correct me if I'm wrong. Looks has little impact on the music hasnt it?

 

[derbeder]

PS - in a big change for AliaVox, they have released (wait for it!) a MOZART work ("Mozart - Eine kleine Nachtmusik")! This is a big move for them, as they have always specialised in Early & Baroque Music.

I should check that recording out. The one other Mozart recording by Savall, the Requiem, was mildly disappointing. It is obvious that Savall knows how a performance of the work sounded back in Mozart's day and is trying to capture it here in a way that most conductors can't. Indeed many renditions of the work make it sound like its written in the 19th century. Despite all that, I still prefer other recordings of the Requiem (one by Ricardo Muti directing Berliner Philarmoniker, and there the brass sound very different from anything like the brass in a 18th century orchestra). I am so used to other recordings of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik that I might have a similar reaction to the Savall recording of it. But I will certainly pick it up.
By the way, Savall has a Boccherini recording out from Alia Vox that came out before the Mozart Serenade and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, so it appears that Alia Vox made the move to the classical period a little earlier.


@larsson: nobody said that varg is a good musician by any means. he is a very limited guitarist and drummer, not to mention his abilities on the keyboard. his vocals are extremely effective, but that is very much an acquired taste. however, he has crafted and recorded some of the most powerful music composed for the portrayal of a certain mood (desperation, hate etc.) - at least that's how i take it. it may take a little time for that to sink in though.

 

[Larsson]

@larsson: nobody said that varg is a good musician by any means. he is a very limited guitarist and drummer, not to mention his abilities on the keyboard. his vocals are extremely effective, but that is very much an acquired taste. however, he has crafted and recorded some of the most powerful music composed for the portrayal of a certain mood (desperation, hate etc.) - at least that's how i take it. it may take a little time for that to sink in though.

Currently listening to Ea, lord of the Depths and the only thing I hear is a awful repetetive music(no wait, he just played a terrible guitar solo, 4 minutes in!) with the pathetic Varg singing on top, but whatever you say.

Maybe you are right in the end but i seriously doubt it. Feels very pale efter listening to a BM classic like In the Nightside Eclipse or Wolf Lair Abyss.

 

[Hubster]

Currently listening to Ea, lord of the Depths and the only thing I hear is a awful repetetive music(no wait, he just played a terrible guitar solo, 4 minutes in!) with the pathetic Varg singing on top, but whatever you say.

Maybe you are right in the end but i seriously doubt it. Feels very pale efter listening to a BM classic like In the Nightside Eclipse or Wolf Lair Abyss.

(Apologies in advance if I sound elitist, it is merely to hammer home a point by choosing my words as best I can):

derbeder's point is true.

With limited skills, Vikernes created truly powerful, if not the most powerful, Black Metal ever written imo.

Because Vikernes was able to maximise his musical output quality with his skillset, this to me equates to being talented, ie, to make excellent use of the skills you have.

Complexity and skills do not always equate to the best music if you ask me: Vikernes' compositional skills in capturing a mood, and also painting an "aural depiction" of the Black Metal philosophy are perfectly represented through his simple music in ways that almost no one else has been able to parallel with better skills.

Newcomers to Burzum must understand that even down to Vikernes' vocal style, which in itself is rebellion against Metal, the music of Burzum through its repetitive hypnotics achieves its goal through "creating a hold", drawing in the listener to the blackest of shadows and infinite of dark echoes in ways that Death Metal cannot even concieve of. Another thing to keep in mind is that in some ways, Burzum is almost "anti-Black Metal" Black Metal (I hope this makes sense, as it's important for the new Burzum listener to conceive that Burzum is outright rebellion against Metal overall).

The ONLY possible comparison is that of dark classical music (I know you get me on this one derbeder! )

Larsson, if you want to hear what I've just described, get your hands on Hvis Lyset Tar Oss, and listen to "Inn I Slottet Fra Droemmen", and then "Tomhet".

If these songs don't get you, then Burzum may not be for you, or as it did for me, Burzum may take time to grab hold, but once it does and the comprehension dawns, there is NO turning back.

I highly regard Burzum, with all the metal I've listened to so far over the last two decades, to be vastly "superior" to 99% of other Metal. But this is because of what I have described above.

It is not because of skill, technicality or complexity. It is because of the success achieved by painting the darkness correctly and as closely as can be done, and of course, the ability to make one's imagination come to life. This is where the perfection in Burzum comes from. As true a shadow as pitch black is, so is Burzum as honest in it's representation of its goals.

 

[Hubster]

I should check that recording out. The one other Mozart recording by Savall, the Requiem, was mildly disappointing. It is obvious that Savall knows how a performance of the work sounded back in Mozart's day and is trying to capture it here in a way that most conductors can't. Indeed many renditions of the work make it sound like its written in the 19th century. Despite all that, I still prefer other recordings of the Requiem (one by Ricardo Muti directing Berliner Philarmoniker, and there the brass sound very different from anything like the brass in a 18th century orchestra).

http://www.harmoniamundi.com/benelux/album_fiche.php?album_id=940

An *amazing* recording of Mozart's Requiem, which I proudly own ... and of note, the performance of the soprano's & tenors on this recording is just mindblowing. Definitely one to crank up the volume on, just beautifully executed.

 

[Pethical]

well said Hub.

 

[Liquid Diamonds]

I feel very under-educated posting in this thread, as my knowledge of Burzum is quite limited. But I will say that I have been impressed by what I have heard of Varg's BM output. I like 'Filosofem' and 'Det Som Engang Var', although I didn't take to the vocals on the latter.

Didn't like his prison albums, although most of what I heard was from Daudi Baldrs. But I think that his music is clearly important, and should not be dismissed lightly.

 

[Larsson]

(Apologies in advance if I sound elitist, it is merely to hammer home a point by choosing my words as best I can)

If anyone sounds like an elitist it's me.

derbeder's point is true.

With limited skills, Vikernes created truly powerful, if not the most powerful, Black Metal ever written imo.

Because Vikernes was able to maximise his musical output quality with his skillset, this to me equates to being talented, ie, to make excellent use of the skills you have.

Complexity and skills do not always equate to the best music if you ask me: Vikernes' compositional skills in capturing a mood, and also painting an "aural depiction" of the Black Metal philosophy are perfectly represented through his simple music in ways that almost no one else has been able to parallel with better skills.

Newcomers to Burzum must understand that even down to Vikernes' vocal style, which in itself is rebellion against Metal, the music of Burzum through its repetitive hypnotics achieves its goal through "creating a hold", drawing in the listener to the blackest of shadows and infinite of dark echoes in ways that Death Metal cannot even concieve of. Another thing to keep in mind is that in some ways, Burzum is almost "anti-Black Metal" Black Metal (I hope this makes sense, as it's important for the new Burzum listener to conceive that Burzum is outright rebellion against Metal overall).

The ONLY possible comparison is that of dark classical music (I know you get me on this one derbeder! )

Larsson, if you want to hear what I've just described, get your hands on Hvis Lyset Tar Oss, and listen to "Inn I Slottet Fra Droemmen", and then "Tomhet".

If these songs don't get you, then Burzum may not be for you, or as it did for me, Burzum may take time to grab hold, but once it does and the comprehension dawns, there is NO turning back.

I highly regard Burzum, with all the metal I've listened to so far over the last two decades, to be vastly "superior" to 99% of other Metal. But this is because of what I have described above.

It is not because of skill, technicality or complexity. It is because of the success achieved by painting the darkness correctly and as closely as can be done, and of course, the ability to make one's imagination come to life. This is where the perfection in Burzum comes from. As true a shadow as pitch black is, so is Burzum as honest in it's representation of its goals.

Im currently listening to my downloaded copy of Hvis Lyset Tar Oss, which I have had for a long time and never listened too. Im currently listening to the first track and can't still see the ''greatness''. To be honest I cant feel what you described at all but things got really ugly when Varg opened his mouth. Bad vocals rareley irritate me that much, could even tolerate Attilas work on De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas(good Vargs horrible basslines where low in the mix on that album btw.). Where Attilas vocals have comic value(''funeraaaaaal fug'') Varg only sounds pathetic. I write so fucking slowly, and do so much in between writing the post that I have arrived at the last track and I couldnt help but laugh at the 4.03 mark in Inn I Slotet Fra Droemmen.

''the blackest of shadows and infinite of dark echoes in ways that Death Metal cannot even concieve''. That make laugh?

FAIL.


I am going to give Burzum another chance, some other time. After everything bad I have said I suspect Burzum might be music to listen to in headphones, in the dark, half asleep. Meay sound dumb but no pun intended.

Prayers to the Welkin at Dusk calls for a listen.

 

[illidurit]

lmao @ black metal philosophy

if you buy into that shit then you're a lonely moron

 

[NFU]

lmao @ black metal philosophy

if you buy into that shit then you're a lonely moron

.


edit: although i do agree with most of what the hubster said up there. people's approach and perception to burzum is different from what it ought to be, and what varg's intention was. the average burzum newcomer listens to it and perceives it the same way they would when putting on the latest dimmu borgir.

on another note hubster...being the big burzum fan that you are...do you have any thoughts on weakling?

 

[naboo]

^ (To Larsson) Actually that's the only way I really listen to black metal, be it Emperor, Burzum, or Summoning. It just doesn't have the same effect on me if I listen to it in the same manner as I do other music. I do highly suggest you wait a bit, then some night, get into to bed, put on headphones and listen to "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" in it's entirety, then just drift off to sleep when it's over. It's one of my favorite musical experiences.

 

[Larsson]

naboo: Im considering it.

I have currently arrived to the symphonic tour the force that is Ensorcelled By Khaos.

Easily the most cathy Emperor song.

 

[Hubster]

lmao @ black metal philosophy

if you buy into that shit then you're a lonely moron

It's not about buying into it, it's about understanding it. It's important to do so in order to comprehend the music. Black Metal's simplicity is also it's complexity. Your comment is just the result of non-comprehension, I don't understand why you needed to write that when a good discussion is going on here. Find another thread to troll and let us enjoy this chat will you?

people's approach and perception to burzum is different from what it ought to be, and what varg's intention was. the average burzum newcomer listens to it and perceives it the same way they would when putting on the latest dimmu borgir.

I couldnt agree more, thats really well explained.

And the thing is you *can't* approach it in the same way as you would albums by another artist. Its not written and executed for someone to be able to do that. The rawness and simplicity requires a more calculated approach. The goes for Darkestrah, Drudkh, Blut Aus Nord and so on. It's not a "slap on and headbang away" type of style, its a style which revolts against that entirely.

being the big burzum fan that you are...do you have any thoughts on weakling?

I've heard of them but haven't had a chance to check them out yet. Given the album has only in recent times been re-issued, it's hard to come by.

^ (To Larsson) Actually that's the only way I really listen to black metal, be it Emperor, Burzum, or Summoning. It just doesn't have the same effect on me if I listen to it in the same manner as I do other music. I do highly suggest you wait a bit, then some night, get into to bed, put on headphones and listen to "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" in it's entirety, then just drift off to sleep when it's over. It's one of my favorite musical experiences.

Agreed, 100%. It's not music which can just be background noise or easy listening, like Death Metal is (no offence to DM fans, but really DM is so much more accessible).

I actually detested Vikernes' vocals when I first started listening to Burzum. Infact, I initially had difficulties with Black Metal's music style overall. The thin-ness of the guitars, blastbeats, shrieks... it all totally pissed me off because Doom-Death and Death Metal was what I was mainly listening to around that time and those styles are much more defined and polished. Black Metal was the complete opposite.

Not only this, but being a huge fan of electronic music, early house and dark techno at the time, and then having listened to Burzum's ambient stuff knowing full well that Future Sound Of London (FSOL) are the true masters of electronic soundscapes, I realise now that the ambient Burzum songs are just as Black Metal as say, "Dominus Sathanas" (Aske EP). Again, it's the philosophy, not just the sound. The two are parallel in Black Metal, one can NOT exist without the other in this musical realm.

Anyway... once the ideals made sense to me, the genius of the music just dawned and I havent looked back since. I also found that discussions like this one, reading interviews etc helped a lot. The more I learned, the more I listened.

Ironically (or logically some might say), this pattern of learning and appreciating this music equates to that of experiencing Baroque and Classical styles too. There is no other music I've come across which requires you to work at it like this.

Some might argue: "oh why should I have to "work" at listening to music?", and I will respond, well are you feeling casual about it, or do you have an amazing passion for your music? If you're like me, and are passionate, you WILL go out of your way to research, listen and explore. Its like any hobby you love, you'll consume yourself into it and that is the beauty of it, its well known and extremely personal at the same time.

As much as I love other styles of Metal, nothing else touches Black Metal for me now (except Iron Maiden, for that I will always be the diehard fan, and Baroque). In some ways, I find that when I really get into whatever Black Metal I'm listening to at the time, I think to myself "this isn't Black Metal, this is 'true' Metal, real Metal, its *pure* expression, real art".