Burzum - Umskiptar

Many consider Burzum to be at the top of the greatest black metal bands of all time. Even those who don’t care for this solo black metal project from Varg Vikernes, they still recognize the lethally loaded history behind the music (read more about that on our Varg Vikernes page). But if nothing else, Burzum has most definitely evolved.

In 1992 and 1993 Burzum released “Hvis lyset tar oss” and “Filosofem”, which I consider to be two quintessential black metal albums. Then while in prison throughout the 1990s, Varg Vikernes was denied access to a guitar or drums, but was allowed a synthesizer. Two “dark ambient” Burzum albums came from his Norwegian prison stay; although they were creative, and Varg did the best he could given the situation he was in, neither album was particularly noteworthy.

In 2009 Varg Vikernes was released from prison. Within 2 years of being a free man, two Burzum albums came out, “Belus” and “Fallen”. These were both a continuation of the Burzum style of black metal from the early 1990s, but with “Fallen” possessing more folk undertones and being the better of the two. Since “Fallen”, a compilation of re-recorded Burzum tracks came out; though I always find it very odd when black metal artists rerecord old songs, since the raw energy and disparate sound of the originals is what made them great.

Burzum - Umskiptar - album review
The history lesson’s over. Let’s talk about the new Burzum album, “Umskiptar”. “Umskiptar” means ‘Metamorphoses’ in old Norse tongue and is a true representation of this album. Varg Vikernes’s music has evolved and this is his most mature musical release thus far. If you’re unaware, both Burzum and the Vikernes pseudonym “Count Grishnackh” are both directly taken from the Lord of the Rings novels. And while listening to “Umskiptar” I could imagine the bard of Mordor playing this type of ambient black metal for Sauron.

Like most Burzum releases of late, “Umskiptar” begins with an introduction track to set the album’s mood. Spoken word and war drums are accompanied by doomsayered synth. This is the point in most Burzum albums where track 2 erupts with fast metal drums, discordant speed-picked guitars and black metal screeching. Instead, “Umskiptar” begins with a mid-tempo track containing both spoken word (lyrics from the Norse poem ‘Voluspa’) and the expected Burzum vocals.

The next track “Alfandanz” (Elven Dance) is what I’ve been waiting for from Varg Vikernes. He tends to go on a lot about Norse mythology and its place in his songs, but it’s hard to tell from the actual music, other than the lyrics. This song begins with a piano melody that is very obviously inspired by mythology and medieval music, eventually leading into guitars and vocals that brilliantly carry on the theme.

Track 4, “Hit helga Tre” (The sacred Tree) begins with a real solid, stripped-down (and slowed down) black metal riff that Vikernes holds onto for the entirety of the song. The second half of “Hit helga Tre” contains spoken word, black metal vocals, and singing giving this track a dark ambiance that has always been in Burzum’s history, but is just much more fine-tuned on this album.

“Galgivor” (Gallow Forest) is my next favorite from “Umskiptar”. The melodies on this album seemed to get more unforgettable from track to track. Vikernes has found a niche with Burzum that he stayed close to up until this new album. He’s really broadened his musical horizons by composing music with clean guitars and vocals, allowing his album to feel more like a journey (or mythical epic) rather than more of the same, which this song completely embodies.

The last really notable piece from “Umskiptar” is the second-to-last track, “Gullaldr” (Golden Age). There are no drums on this song, just Varg Vikernes’ singing, chanting, spoken growls, and melodic guitar riffs. Sometimes people “say less more”. This is rarely true with black metal. This genre is full of artists that try to be as loud, fast, and evil-sounding as possible. This track “Gullaldr” will send chills up your spine and drive impending doom into your bones, all with minimal distortion and ominous vocals.

To get straight to the point, “Umskiptar” is amazing. If Burzum fans are expecting Varg Vikernes to continuously try to match the sound of his 1990s black metal, they will be severely saddened by this release. But if people have been waiting for this guy to evolve and do something different, “Umskiptar” will be a welcome surprise. It’s still ambient black metal, but more thoughtful and more vocally and musically exploratory. Varg Vikernes, well done sir.