Burzum is a Norwegian music project founded by Varg Vikernes in 1991, which has been classified as 'black metal' and 'dark ambient'. The lyrics and imagery of Burzum are largely inspired by Norse mythology, northern European folklore, and nature.
Burzum was founded in 1991 by Varg Vikernes
Burzum's early music was considered a leading force in the Norwegian black metal scene.
In 1993, Vikernes was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the murder of Øystein Aarseth and the arson of three churches
Burzum continued to release music even while Vikernes was in prison, with the last album released in 2014
After his release from prison in 2009, Vikernes continued to perform under the Burzum name as well as pursue other musical projects.
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Burzum's debut album, released in 1992, is considered a seminal work of Norwegian black metal.
Burzum's fifth album, released in 1996, is notable for its use of ambient and electronic elements.
Burzum's fourth album, released in 1994, is considered one of the defining works of the Norwegian black metal genre.
The name 'Burzum' is derived from a word in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional language of Middle-earth, meaning 'darkness'.
Although Vikernes is known for his far-right and nationalist views, Burzum's music does not contain explicitly political lyrics and the band is not generally considered a 'neo-Nazi' band.
Burzum's early music is mostly black metal, characterized by fast tempos, distorted guitars, and shrieked vocals, while his later music is largely ambient, featuring atmospheric soundscapes and occasional spoken-word passages.
As of 2021, Burzum has not released any new music since 2014.
Varg Vikernes was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the murder of his former bandmate Øystein Aarseth and the arson of three churches in Norway.