Band:	Burzum
Album:	Hvis Lyset Tar Oss
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	April 1994
Guest review by:	TombstoneHighway

01. Det Som En Gang Var
02. Hvis Lyset Tar Oss
03. Inn I Slottet Fra Drømmen
04. Tomhet

For a long time I had overlooked most of Burzum's material. Not that it didn't sound appealing from what people were saying, but I just had the whole "I'll get to it later" attitude for a while. Well, I'm glad I didn't decide to wait any longer, because now I'm able to see why so many people enjoy Burzum.

Popping in "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss," right off the bat I'm reminded of Drudkh. Burzum is definitely more atmospheric than what I thought, especially with the long, drawn out synth & guitar beginning of "Det Som En Gang Var" (the first track). Around 3 minutes into the song, pounding drums come in, the synth backs off, and the song really gets going. Then at around 5 minutes in, we're confronted by Varg Vikernes himself.

Of all the black metal vocalists I've heard, Varg is definitely one of the most tortured-sounding individuals to have graced the genre. He screams as though he's being skinned alive...and to me that couldn't be more aesthetically pleasing. It's almost a shame that he went to prison. Almost.

Now I must say, while all of the songs on "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" are drawn out (the shortest song on the album clocks in at 7:53), they never cease to let go of your attention. Varg definitely knows when to trade off "brutal harshness" for "melancholy atmosphere," and vice-versa. His riffs are nice and heavy, and his synth melodies are pleasing to the ear. However, if I had to put my finger on one problematic track, it would be the last one, "Tomhet." Out of all of the songs on the album, "Tomhet" was the only one that felt needlessly drawn out. I'll admit that it was a very nice song, but it was a weak ending to a great album.

Other than that, "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" was fantastic. It was minimalistic at times, but it was also wonderfully atmospheric and downright harsh at others. Definitely an essential black metal album.

Hope you're havin' fun in jail, Varg.