Artist: BURZUM
Album: DRAUGEN - RARITIES (DIGI)

Release date: 2005/ 2019
EAN/UPS: 0803343256222
Media type: CD

The infamous Norwegian Black Metal band BURZUM formed in mid-1987 under the original title of URAK-HAI. BURZUM's history is embroiled in myth and with the now jailed Count Grishnackh the band has developed a true underground following. In the early days the group was steeped in Tolkein lore with the names URAK-HAI, Grishnakh and BURZUM ('Darkness') all lifted from Orc titles and languages.

The band split in 1990 with band mentor Count Grisnackh (real name Varg Vikernes) formed SATANEL with IMMORTAL members Demonaz and Abbath. Grisnackh also dabbled in a Death Metal side project OLD FUNERAL. SATANEL disintegrated in 1991 with Grisnackh resurrecting URAK-HAI under the new name of BURZUM. Essentially a solo project BURZUM did feature EMPEROR guitarist Samoth on the 'Aske' mini album released in 1992. Poignantly the record sleeve for 'Aske' depicted a photograph of a recently torched burnt out church.

Grisnackh was implicated in a number of church burnings along with other members of the Norwegian Black Metal scene. Count Grisnackh murdered his apparent rival MAYHEM vocalist Euronymous (real name Oystein Aarseth) on August 9th 1993 by stabbing him at his doorstep. Before his arrest Grisnackh, when asked of Euryonymous's death, offered to "dance and piss on his grave"! Charged with first-degree murder, as well as additional arson charges in relation to Asane church, Skjold church in Vindafjord and Holmenkollen chapel, Grisnackh was given a life sentence of 21 years. BURZUM's fourth album 'Hvis Lyset Tar Oss' ('If The Light Take Us') was completed just prior to the murder.

Grisnackh once more provoked headlines in early 1997 when a T-shirt he had designed whilst in jail for BURZUM caused outrage and was banned. Featuring the SS death's head logo on the chest and the slogan 'Support your local Einsatzkommando' Grisnackh proved his philosophies could still make an impression from the prison cell.

Grisnackh completed work on the 'Daudi Baldrs' (Death of Balder) album in 1997, the music, being a conceptual piece based around the Norse God Balder, son of Odin and Frigga, the deity of innocence and light, recorded on the keyboards he is allowed to keep in his cell.

Somewhat disturbingly the album cover featured Viking warriors, one in a cloak bearing the distinctive insignia of the Scandinavian SS division 'Wiking' and another cradling both a baby and sword.

Grisnackh's anti-hero status was partly revealed when his mother, Lena Bore, was jailed for helping to finance an attempt by the right wing organization Einsatzgrupe to spring her son from jail. The intended destination for BURZUM's leader was apparently South Africa.

A BURZUM tribute album was released in 2000 on the Cymophane label featuring the likes of STARCHAMBER, EWIGKEIT, NOKTURNAL MORTEM and SCHIZOID. As the myth of BURZUM showed little sign of abating it was further perpetuated during 2003 as the Dead Ringer label granted both 'Daudi Baldrs' and 'Hlidskjalf' albums their first US release.

The Count made front page headlines once more on 25th October of 2003 when, aided by accomplices, he spectacularly broke out of prison. Vikernes had only recently been transferred to the low security Tonsberg jail but had expressed fears for his personal safety. Norwegian newspapers reported that he held a family at gunpoint in order to hijack their car and was then pursued by several Police cars until brought to a halt. Apparently as part of his escape kit Vikernes was in possession of a gas mask, knives, camouflage clothing, a portable Global Positioning System satellite navigator, maps, a compass, a mobile telephone, a headset and a laptop computer. His lawyer, John Christian Elden, claimed his intention was to flee Norway and join the French Foreign Legion. In April of 2004 Vikernes learnt that his attempt to flee had added a further fourteen months to his sentence.

That same year the band would have their classic cut 'Ea, Lord Of The deeps' chosen as a pioneering piece of music for a compilation assembled by DARKTHRONE drummer Fenriz, released through Peaceville Records and entitled 'Fenriz Presents The Best Of Old School Black Metal'. In April the Back On Black collectors label re-issued 'Hvis Lyset Tar Oss', 'Det Som En Gang Var', 'Burzum / Aske', 'Filosofem', 'Balders Dod' and 'Hlidhskalf' on limited edition, heavyweight vinyl.

TRACKLIST:

01. A Lost Forgotten Sad Spirit
02. Sreminen Fra Taarnet
03. Dominuus Sathanas
04. Lost Wisdom
05. Spell Of Destruction
06. Channeling The Power Of Souls Into A New God
07. Outro
08. Et Hvitt Lys Over Skogen
09. Once Emperor
10. Seven Harmonies Of The Unknown Truth
11. My Journey To The Stars
12. Lost Wisdom
13. Dunkelheit