Burzum: Burzum (1992)

Released in 1992, Burzum’s self-titled debut pierced the heart of the Norwegian black metal scene. Its lo-fi aggression, chilling atmosphere, and anti-Christian stance solidified its place as a genre classic, though one forever tainted by controversy.

Track Listing

Feeble Screams from Forests Unknown
Ea, Lord of the Deeps
Black Spell of Destruction
Channelling the Power of Souls into a New God
War
The Crying Orc
A Lost Forgotten Sad Spirit
My Journey to the Stars
Dungeons of Darkness

Length: 47:05

Genre

Black metal

Release Date

March, 1992

Record Label

Deathlike Silence Productions (DSP)

The Lineup for the Album

Count Grishnackh – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums, synthesizer, production

Recording Date

January, 1992

Recording Studio

Grieg Hall (Bergen, Norway)

Produced by

Varg Vikernes (Count Grishnackh) – production
Eirik Hundvin (Pytten) – recording and mixing
Euronymous (Øystein Aarseth) – co-producer

Album Themes/Concept

Darkness: Lyrics frequently explore themes of shadows, night, and an embrace of the sinister.

Anti-Christianity: Strong condemnation of Christianity is present, both in lyrics and through Varg’s actions and ideology.

Occultism/Paganism: References to runes, Norse mythology, and a potential rejection of organized religion in favor of older belief systems.

Isolation and Despair: Many tracks have a melancholic, introspective atmosphere, focusing on themes of loneliness and a sense of being an outsider.

Album Mood

Raw: The lo-fi production lends a sense of primitive, chaotic energy.

Dark: The album evokes a sense of shadows, despair, and a rejection of light and positivity.

Atmospheric: Ambient passages and keyboard interludes create a haunting and expansive atmosphere.

Melancholic: There’s a strong undercurrent of sadness, loneliness, and introspection despite the album’s moments of aggression.

Aggressive: Some tracks feature bursts of raw black metal fury, powered by blast beats and Vikernes’ harsh vocals.

Album Trivia

Recording Conditions: The album was recorded quickly and with minimal equipment in Grieg Hall, contributing to its raw, lo-fi sound.

Production Influence: The album’s lo-fi, raw sound was partially intentional, aligning with the aesthetic of early Norwegian black metal, as well as a product of limited resources.

Guitar Solos: The guitar solos on the album were performed by Euronymous, the founder of Mayhem and owner of Deathlike Silence Productions.

Album Cover Inspiration: The iconic cover art is inspired by a module for the roleplaying game Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1st edition) called “The Temple of Elemental Evil”.

Release Date

March 1, 1992