Review by JD on May 30, 2012.

When you think of Black Metal, one band and one man should come to mind without hesitating for one moment. One that is the living embodiment of what BM should be. The band is the mighty Burzum, and the man behind it all simply referred to as Varg.

Varg is one of those visionaries that is both brilliant, and very controversial as well... and he is one of the fathers of all Black Metal. With the release of Burzum’s new album, he has gone back to his roots. His ambient vibe that he had while in jail because of being unable to have access to a guitar or other instruments is gone, and the cold and harshness and massive wall of heaviness of his music finally returned to lay chaos onto the world again.

Even if you know not one word of Norwegian, the message that Varg is giving comes through clearly a with demonic power. Songs like the massively venomously 'AEra' and the soul chilling 'Gullardr' shows a man that is so in tuned to his message, that it does not even matter that many Metalheads would not understand the language. The demonic passion and conviction comes in loud and clear.

I still prefer the older albums straight forward power and passion (first two), but "Umskiptar" is clearly a real Burzum album, with its lone member showing that he is still relatable - sounding better than the keyboard over heavy ones from his stint in prison. He is still the one to watch in the Black Metal forum and for that we salute his vision, passion and the way he give the world one gigantic finger. Who da’ man?! Raise the horns high because it is VARG!!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 9.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.9 out of 10