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Burzum’s self-titled album was a significant landmark in black metal, which set down a loft standard that few, if any have achieved in the years since. While ‘Burzum’ was a wildly ambitious work for an 20-year old, Varg did not rest on his laurels for the follow-up release ‘Det Som Engang Var’. ‘Den Onde Kysten’ opens proceedings; a dark, understated synth piece which sets the tone for the album. From the calm, erupts the second track ‘Key to the Gate’. A jagged, discordant guitar disorients the listener, before Vikernes’ desperate howl overwhelms them with a tsunami of misanthropic rage, which doesn’t let up until the last dissonant waves of the track fade away. Every song from here is of a similarly high standard. ‘En Ring Til A Herske’, ‘Lost Wisdom’ and ‘Snu Mikrocosmos Tegn’ are all emotive journeys through darkness, which refuse to stick to the basic tenements of black metal. ‘Han Som Reiste’ is a simplistic piece which achieves near-hypnosis with repetitive synth swells. ‘Svarte Troner’ finishes the album on an unusual note as it has an industrial feel to it. ‘Det Som Engang Var’ is one of the best albums of all time, which deserves at the very least, to be given a fair listen by anyone with any interest in music as an artform, regardless of their view of Varg’s actions or personal politics.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Den Onde Kysten |
| 2. Key To the Gate |
| 3. En ring Til A Herske |
| 4. Lost Wisdom |
| 5. Han Som Reiste |
| 6. Naar Himmelens Klarner |
| 7. Snu Mikrocosmos Tegn |
| 8. Svarte Troner |
: 39.55
| Buy other Burzum albums |
