Burzum - Fallen

It almost seems like Burzum has never really been gone, but it was a long 16-year absence for main-man Varg Vikernes. It might be the constant news coverage of his every move both away from the music scene and upon his return that kept him in our consciousness, but in just one year he has already put out two albums. Last year’s return in Belus was a valiant effort and a step forward for the band that gave us classic black metal collectives as Det Som Engang Var, Hvis Lyset tar oss, and Filosofem. While veering more into the atmospheric direction set by 1996’s Filosofem, Belus channeled the recesses of the imaginative listener and Fallen delves even deeper into that well.

The one element that some people seem to dismiss or just plain ignore is that atmosphere has always been central to Burzum music. Of the bands from the Norwegian scene, Mayhem managed to capture that tremendous atmosphere with De Mysteriis dom Sathanas, and every Burzum release was steeped with this aura of either a haunting, shadowy din or some far-off journey through a dark plane. Whatever you’re left with after ingesting one of these early records, no one can deny that Burzum provided a landscape rife with oppressive and/or introspective reasoning. Fallen builds on the foundation of Belus and surpasses it with a return to basics while employing definitive modern day devices, purposefully or otherwise.

“Jeg Faller” has the very old-school guitar tone of the first Burzum release from ’92, ala “Ea. Lords of the Depths”, and while Vikernes’ trademark screeching vocal is long gone with Hvist Lyset tar oss, the raspy tone here is quite fitting and easy to enjoy. He mixes up the rasp with spoken parts throughout, which is a fine break from the monotonous and predictable style. Its poetic feel lends much more diversity to the album without coming off as trite or contrived. “Valen” also showcases this very recognizable guitar tone, and while the entre piece has a much warmer feel than Belus the Grieghallen Studios feel of the early days is still very prevalent. At times it seemed Belus was stuck on a certain tone, riff or ‘soundscape’, yet tracks like the aforementioned, while still repetitive within themselves, ring longer and stick in the psyche long after the record elapses. I also admit to finding this vocal style much more digestible; I understand his screeching vocals from the early days set Burzum a mark above (or below, if you feel so inclined) the typical black metal style, but Vikernes hits the mark with a performance not over-the-top, yet far from subdued. There’s nothing overly special about the singing; it simply is what it is, and that’s a fine effort over some very good music. While Vikernes no longer considers Burzum a black metal band, the overall tone still carries some of that style accordingly, yet with all of the bands that have shamelessly copied Burzum’s style over the years Fallen still is unmistakably Burzum in both sound and construction.

Production-wise, Fallen has quite a bit more lushness than Belus, designing a wall of sound that seems to grow as the album moves along. I do hear a fair amount of bass, more so than on past records, but it is still a bit buried in the mix as it is wont to be in all Burzum releases. This little peeve aside, you can certainly hear the expansive jump forward in crispness; chalk one up for modern technology. It’s not Fleming Rasmussen or Andy Sneap perfection, but it is a much easier trek in the age of Pro Tools and computer software. I have no major complaints or issues concerning the sound of Fallen at all.  

I tend to steer clear of other reviews of an album in my stable to review, but I managed to read through a couple of early reviews of the album and one reviewer claimed that Fallen suffers from Varg Vikernes now being a follower as opposed to a leader. I take umbrage with this simply because the man was away from the scene (a scene he helped create) for nearly two decades and the following is not only on the other foot, but has worn out many different soles at this writing. What I find fascinating is how Burzum manages to defy the trends and typicality of this horrible scene now. What started as a movement has been raped tenfold, and when I hear tracks like “Vanvidd” or “Budstikken” I’m delighted that, much like his early days, Vikernes progresses with every album past expectations or a conventional pattern. Sometimes the results might not be what the ardent black metal fan wants to hear, but to move ahead and amplify one’s visions is part of the game. Burzum will continue to garner its fair share of critics who can’t get past any fringe events and judge the music for what it’s worth, but then they miss out on some music that, while maybe not to the liking of the black metal milieu of old, captures a serenity and complexity that doesn’t spread as much darkness as a Jannicke Wiese-Hansen artwork, yet can hit some very well-chosen spots of wonderment should you let it.              

Release Date: March 7, 2011
Label: Byelobog Productions

TRACK LISTING

1.  Fra Verdenstreet
2.  Jeg Faller
3.  Valen
4.  Vanvidd
5.  Enhver til Sitt
6.  Budstikken
7.  Til Hel og Tilbake Igjen

Total playing time:  47:41

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

Reviewer: Chris

March 8, 2011

TO THE TOP