23 (2)

When I bought the 23, the last thing on my mind was to re-live some Burzum throwbacks. I'm aware Varg Vickernes played a Peavey PXD 23 III (above).

Pic: whatgear

Unlike Varg's my 23 is the starter pack version featuring a single humbucker. I'm drawn to this guitar for its single pickup feature as opposed to drawing affiliations with the dark lord of metal. I've taken the above pic with my living room lights at its brightest to show you its non-gloss body hence no light reflection to be seen anywhere. Yes, I've sanded down the previous finish & gave it a new satin coat. The perfect brown tone that matched the headstock's original finish was purely coincidental.

Burzum: Umskiptar

Varg Vickernes had repeatedly reminded the world that he had ceased writing black metal music. His current creativity involves atmospheric music. But that's according to Varg, according to our ears, it's black metal. However, black metal enjoys this broad variation, a diverse fray at its edges I'd say, to be classified otherwise. Do not blame the masses if they don't hear the differences though, how varied it might be. But it all boils down to this- music is an art form open to various interpretations, do not reject any interpretation if it's propelled as such adequately. 

Back to Umskiptar, it's not sung in English so be warned. The music is a Burzum signature, coarse guitar undercurrent propelled by other necessary accompaniments deemed fit by Varg. This time, things get a little testing for music lovers in general, many songs here fall into a dirge structure only fit for the consumption of those who have real respect for the artist's creation. There are some blank moments, save for a solo vocal performance, as well. If you are looking for some angst-fodder to define the current mood swing you are in, it's not the type of black metal/ atmospheric music you'd like to refer to. Credit goes to Varg for sticking to his formula of doing things.

Burzum: Belus

Do you know Varg Vikernes?

Perhaps the pic above might jog your memory- Varg Vikernes was Mayhem's Count Grishnackh (left), convicted murderer of Euronymous (right) & arsonist. There's too much affliction when it comes to the man's blackened past (no pun intended), best understood when one is privy to both sides of the story, not just the media exposure.

Belus is an 11-year wait, a Burzum release quite unexpected as we perceive Vikernes' withdrawal from the music scene owing to his controversial persona, much touted by the media to contain racist inclinations. In fact, Belus is a censored replacement for the initial release title of  The White God (Den Hvite Guden), which, according to Vikernes is a reference to The White God of Europe aka Apollo/ Baldr/ Belobog, among others. What can we expect from Belus, a propagation of Burzum of yesterday? Much so & then some. Varg Vikernes made a conscious effort in propelling music as opposed to personal attention. He made it clear in a recent interview that music is first & foremost, the industry's label of his manifestations as black metal is really dead end labeling. However, upon hearing what Belus has to offer, black metal is an inevitable tag but this is signature Burzum where vexatious atmospherics take control. The concluding track, Belus' Return, is virtually a looped phrasing where subtle differences are peppered in as the song plays on, only discernible to the discriminating ear- that's how atmospheric things get in this collection. All in all, Belus draws its parallel to many unhurried black metal song structures akin to what Trelldom & Khold has to offer (citing 2 of many out there); with a judicious concoction of doom. I give Belus my thumbs up.

Insomnia... loving the lack of slumber.