Burzum – “Filosofem”

Misanthropy Records

Rating: 6/10

“Filosofem” is Varg Vikernes’ infamous musical project Burzum’s new CD. Now imprisioned for several criminal charges, it seems that the album was recorded before his incarceration. Anyway, what we find here is Vikernes’ peculiar musical skills revealing themselves shaped in a luxurious A4 digibook.

Although most songs on this new work retain the thick guitar-based melodies that can be encountered in Burzum’s previous releases, it is nevertheless true that “Filosofem” means another step towards a more ambient or avantgarde approach. Whether be this on purpose or by lack or equipment, I don’t know, but the CD also features some industrial and noise effects that help Burzum’s music leave behind the “black metal” label and instead becomes more ambient. This definition gains suitness when considering that Vikernes’ typical musical simplicity remains also intact. It is this simplicity that is responsable for much of the hypnotic effect Burzum is acknowledged for. This can be experienced in “Erblicket die Töchter des Firmaments” (whose lyrics are suspiciously similar to those of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Bilbo Song”). Another remarkable song is “Rundgang um die traszendentale Saule der Singularitat”, which is a synth-based number close to “Tomhet” from Burzum’s previous album “Hvis Lyset Tar Oss”, yet it is not so ethereal nor has such a beautiful melody neither. Some other songs have nice raw guitar riffs such as “Jesus’ Tod” and the opener number. Last song is “Gebrechlichkeit ii.”, which is nothing but a mere filler, since it is a valueless remix of the fourth song “Gebrechlichkeit i.”, without the vocal work.

All in all, another good work (yet far from excelling) by virtue of Vikernes’ mind and hands. Time shall tell whether this will be the last thing we’ll ever know about him.