Burzum (album)

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Burzum is the debut studio album by the Norwegian black metal solo project Burzum. It was released in March 1992 on Deathlike Silence Productions, Euronymous’s label. The album was recorded in January 1992 at Grieg Hall in Bergen, Norway. The original length is 47:05, with a 58:06 length on some reissues. Producers were Pytten, Count Grishnackh (Varg Vikernes), and Euronymous.

The album is considered a landmark in black metal. In 2010, six tracks were re-recorded for From the Depths of Darkness because Vikernes was unhappy with some vocals and production. Most reissues bundle Burzum with the Aske EP under the title Burzum/Aske, often including only the Aske version of certain tracks. In the Burzum/Aske release, track names were altered: the third track is listed as Spell of Destruction, and the second track as Ea, Lord of the Depths.

All music and lyrics are by Varg Vikernes, except for Ea, Lord of the Deeps, which uses words from the Necronomicon. Reception has been strong: AllMusic’s Gregory Heaney praised its hypnotic, trance-like sound and gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it essential for black metal fans. Revolver (2018) called it one of black metal’s earliest masterpieces.