Year: 2020
Total Time: 1:30:07
Label: Byelobog Productions
June 2018 ,Varg Vikernes uploads a video on his you tube channel, in which he informs us that after a 4×4 lost race, he gives as a prize to the winner his only personal copy he had of BURZUM.’s debut As the video ended, the following message appeared: “Bye Bye BURZUM, See the sun rise and see her banish all the darkness of this world”. With these words Varg announced the end of his personal project of BURZUM, closing after 28 years a huge and not so pleasant for him (as he has stated from time to time) chapter of his life. Those of us who watched his channel we saw the end coming so it did not surprise anyone as we were also not surprised by the fact that a year and a half later rumors began about a new BURZUM album. Of course Vikernes is not famous for his firmness in his views and statements so with a post on twitter he confirmed the rumors and announced “Thulêan Mysteries” as the new BURZUM album.
Of course we all had a secret hopes for a new metal album by BURZUM but naturally this did not happen and the last BURZUM’s metal song will remain in history ‘Back To the Shadows’ ,although unfortunately it was never released (those who have not heard it can hear it on you tube, is worth it!!). Vikernes said that the purpose of releasing “Thulêan Mysteries” was to empty his storage box with demo songs, he had collected as they were many. So the album consists of 23 ambient / folk songs and the is quite long (90 minutes). The album follows or rather continues the musical path of BURZUM’s post prison ambient albums , there is nothing here that we have not heard before. Dark ambient songs, synthesizers, folk elements, electronic sounds and a sense of a not so carefully thought out album. The record needs several auditions and the point is not if it contains mediocre or good songs but what lies behind these tracks.
Everyone should listen to the album with an open mind, free from his personal desire regarding what he would like to hear from a new BURZUM album. The disc has its bad moments but at the same time it has moments and songs that will create emotions and put thoughts in listener’s mind. The main feeling I had as I listening to the album was an undefined sadness, a nostalgia, Vikernes recently said that BURZUM was never the choice of his life and he did it waiting for something to come that never came. The disappointment and sadness of his words are reflected in “Thulêan Mysteries”.
A first superficial opinion many will be expresse about the disc, who still believe that in 2020 Varg will play Black Metal, is that the album is bad, what ambient/folk and nonsense is playing, the guy has lost his mind in the forest where he lives etc. “Thulêan Mysteries”of course is not addressed to them, basically it is not addressed to anyone, Vikernes continues his lonely way as he has always done since the early 90’s. BURZUM fans who follow his musical vision and have understood the peculiar and special temperament of the Norwegian, will find certain moments in “Thulêan Mysteries” that will enchant them, as we were all enchanted by the last 32 minutes of his masterpiece record “Filosofem”.
Rating: 6,5/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: ΒURZUM Official Page
