Polishing a Turd (Hlidskjalf - Burzum)

Member Name: Frankingsteins

Product:	Hlidskjalf - Burzum
Date:	05/04/08 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Improved technology and focus over previous release.

Disadvantages: Still feels insubstantial.

Currently the final album produced by notorious black metal musician Varg Vikernes, 'Hliðskjálf' is by far the superior of the two ambient works he was permitted to produce during his imprisonment, but one that still pales in comparison to his earlier metal work. The improvement over 1997's 'Dauði Baldrs' is primarily due to his MIDI keyboard being upgraded to a proper synthesiser, or something like that, as the sound is now more professional and less irritating for the most part, but the improvement in technology doesn't mean that Vikernes has become the next Vangelis.

In truth, some of these compositions are stunning, synthesised or not. 'Der Tod Wuotans' is an incredibly dramatic piece with several impressive movements, from a searing introduction to what sounds like synthesised guitars and finally a synthesised woodwind elegy for the fallen Wotan, this would be a fine inclusion on any of Burzum's previous releases, which always featured a prominent keyboard presence in any case. But this is the main problem with 'Hliðskjálf'; there just isn't that much variety, and even if you've developed a tolerance and appreciation for synthesiser music like I have, it has the capacity to be quite dull and irritating on occasion.

Roughly speaking, the album gets worse as it goes on, meaning that the best material can be found in the first half, or at least any time that the tone is one of darkness rather than light, or whatever exactly the irritating high notes of 'Frijôs goldene Tränen' are going for. At times, Vikernes lets the ever-so-slightly improved technology go to his head, and he attempts to synthesise rock instruments rather than concentrate on ambience, and it's at these points (especially present in 'Frijôs einsames Trauern') that it really fails to impress, by drawing attention to its limitations.

I'm glad Vikernes was permitted to record these albums during his incarceration, but they're only ever going to be sub-par Burzum works that shouldn't be compared to his earlier output as a free man with the means at his disposal to realise his visions more fully. Or with a studio full of standard rock instruments at least. Hopefully his eventual release will see a return to form, as long as he doesn't go and kill anyone else.

1. Tuistos Herz
2. Der Tod Wuotans
3. Ansuzgardaraiwô
4. Die Liebe Nerþus'
5. Frijôs einsames Trauern
6. Einfühlungsvermögen
7. Frijôs goldene Tränen
8. Der weinende Hadnur

Summary: Burzum's sixth album (1999).