Burzum is one man, a Norwegian multi-instrumentalist called Varg Vikernes, who murdered a guitarist called Øystein “Euronymous” Aarseth in 1993 and was released last year after serving 16 years in prison in Trondheim. Vikernes’ early albums were amazing in parts, but he’s since become a poster-boy for European racists thanks to his books advocating Odinist (read: white supremacist) values.
Despite his dangerous, idiotic views, the release of his comeback album is the heavy metal sensation of 2010, backed by major distribution and a ton of front covers in the press as you read this.
The music is patchy, though that’s hardly the point. Burzum’s speciality in the pre-chokey years was an all-encompassing black metal drone that tied in with Vikernes’ penchant for Tolkien-esque images (the band name means “darkness” in Orcish, Gollum fans) and it’s here in spades. However, there are a few strangely over-ambitious riffs and arrangements that don’t suit the black-as-night vibe: Belus is not an album that sits easily on your ears – or your conscience.
