Origin : Norway
Genre : Black Metal / Ambient
Release : 1994
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
Intro:
Hvis Lyset Tar Oss. The title itself, a stark pronouncement in Norwegian, translates to “If the Light Takes Us,” an ominous prelude to the sonic abyss Varg Vikernes conjures. Released in 1996, this album stands as a cornerstone of Burzum’s early, raw black metal output, a chilling testament to isolation and a profound, almost primal connection to the untamed Norwegian wilderness. Recorded in the suffocating confines of Grieghallen, its production is deliberately lo-fi, a sonic fog that shrouds the inherent melodies and amplifies the pervasive sense of desolation. This is not an album designed for casual listening; it demands immersion, a descent into a frozen, introspective landscape where the silence between notes is as potent as the distorted fury.
Track Analysis:
“Det Som En Gang Var” (What Once Was): The album opens with a droning, almost ambient synth passage, a spectral whisper before the storm. This segues into a blast-beat driven assault, Vikernes’ vocals a guttural rasp, barely human. The guitars churn with a raw, unpolished distortion, creating a thick, oppressive wall of sound. Yet, beneath the aggression, a melancholic melody fights for air, a fragile thread of beauty woven into the fabric of chaos. The tempo shifts are abrupt, mirroring the unpredictable fury of nature.
“Kaimeratos” (The Coming of Death): This track plunges into an even deeper well of despair. The riffing is hypnotic, repetitive, and utterly captivating. It’s a slow, trudging march, punctuated by moments of frenetic energy. The synth textures return, not as a respite, but as an additional layer of chilling atmosphere, like the wind whistling through barren trees. Vikernes’ vocal delivery here is less frenzied, more a mournful lament, a primal scream of existential dread.
“Svarte Smar” (Black Heart): If “Kaimeratos” was a march, “Svarte Smar” is a desperate flight. The tempo accelerates, the drumming becomes more complex, and the guitars unleash a torrent of dissonant chords. The synth work is more prominent here, weaving eerie, almost operatic melodies that contrast sharply with the raw aggression of the vocals and guitars. It’s a dynamic shift that showcases Vikernes’ ability to craft intricate, albeit bleak, soundscapes. The guitar solo, if it can be called that, is a chaotic flurry of notes, more an expression of raw emotion than technical prowess.
“Hvis Lyset Tar Oss” (If the Light Takes Us): The title track is the album’s sprawling centerpiece, a nearly fifteen-minute epic that embodies the album’s core themes. It begins with a subdued, almost acoustic guitar passage, a moment of fragile peace. This is gradually overtaken by a slow, crushing riff, a monolithic presence that builds and recedes like a tide. The synth melodies are more ethereal here, creating a sense of vastness and otherworldly beauty. Vikernes’ vocals are sparse, often fading into the sonic tapestry, allowing the instrumental passages to speak volumes. The track ebbs and flows, a journey through darkness and fleeting moments of luminous despair, culminating in a final, fading synth drone that leaves the listener adrift in the silence.
Conclusion:
Hvis Lyset Tar Oss is a monument to atmospheric black metal, a raw and uncompromising exploration of darkness, isolation, and a profound communion with the primal forces of nature. Its deliberately unpolished production, while alienating to some, is its greatest strength, imbuing the music with a visceral authenticity. Vikernes masterfully blends crushing aggression with haunting melodies and ethereal synth passages, creating a sonic landscape that is both terrifying and strangely beautiful. This is an album that doesn’t just get under your skin; it burrows into your very soul, leaving an indelible mark of icy desolation.
Rating: 9.5/10
Highlight Track: Hvis Lyset Tar Oss
