Filosofem

Filosofem by Burzum is an album that draws you into an atmosphere of bleakness and isolation, using minimalism and repetition to immerse the listener in an unsettling soundscape. As a black metal album, it defies genre expectations by leaning heavily into ambient and atmospheric territory rather than sheer aggression, which makes it feel both haunting and meditative.

The opening track, Dunkelheit (also known as Burzum or "Darkness"), immediately sets the tone with its hypnotic, droning riff and cold, lo-fi production. There’s a simplicity here, as the riffs repeat with little variation, but that repetition creates a sense of being trapped in a foggy, desolate landscape. Varg Vikernes’ vocals, distant and harsh, almost become another layer of ambiance rather than a primary focus, adding to the feeling of isolation.

Jesu død ("Jesus' Death") follows with a similar formula, using slow, plodding riffs that feel almost like a funeral dirge. This track is perhaps the most traditionally "black metal" on the album, but it’s still restrained and methodical. The bleakness feels religiously introspective, as if questioning both faith and the meaning of suffering. Then there’s Beholding the Daughters of the Firmament, which builds on the previous tracks’ cold atmosphere but incorporates slightly warmer, more ethereal tones, giving it an otherworldly quality.

The album’s longest track, Rundgang um die transzendentale Säule der Singularität ("Circumambulation of the Transcendental Columns of Singularity"), is a 25-minute ambient piece that borders on the abstract. There’s no guitar or vocals here—just a haunting synth that loops endlessly, creating a sense of eerie stillness. It’s almost like being suspended in time, adding to the album’s dreamlike and disturbing aura. Some listeners might find it repetitive or even tedious, but it accomplishes what it’s meant to: pushing the listener into a meditative state of darkness.

The final two tracks, Decrepitude I and Decrepitude II, reinforce the album’s themes of decay and existential dread. Both tracks carry a dirge-like quality, using slow, heavy riffs that seem to echo off into nothingness. They feel almost cyclical, as if they’re dragging you deeper into the abyss with each passing note.

Overall, Filosofem is a deeply atmospheric album that isn’t about traditional musicianship or melody but about creating a mood of relentless darkness. Its impact on black metal is undeniable, pushing the genre into new, more ambient territory. However, Burzum’s work is inseparable from Varg Vikernes’ background and extreme views, which can complicate how it’s received. As a piece of black metal history, Filosofem is groundbreaking and unsettling, both musically and in its legacy.

BURZUM - FILOSOFEM
RATING - 8.4/10

FAVORITE TRACK - N/A

GENRE - Metal, Rock, German