Belus

The majority of Burzum’s catalog is drawn from a condensed period of recording that lasted from January 1992 to March 1993, when lone group member Varg Vikernes was just 19. Vikernes was then imprisoned from 1993 to 2009, and Burzum’s legend grew as Vikernes recorded two peculiar instrumental albums behind bars. When he was released, no one knew what to expect. Would Vikernes return to the sound he'd pioneered 15 years prior? Now that he had access to all instruments, would he abandon the unnerving instrumental style he'd developed in prison? He answered both questions in the affirmative. 2011’s Belus picks up where Vikernes left off in 1993. Careening rhythms, sheets of acidic guitar, exorcismal vocals: it’s all here. Belus, however, feels grander than the early Burzum albums, which is likely due to Vikernes’s personal maturation as well as newfound access to better recording facilities. Thematically it focuses on Belus, the oldest known name for the death-rebirth deity that appears throughout ancient Celtic, Norse, and Greek mythologies. In short, it’s the old Burzum sound, reinforced with epic intentions.