TheSpirit: Burzum - Fallen

TheSpirit 01.31.11	2.5-3/5 after about 3 listens so far. Musically it's much more of disjointed approach compared to traditional Burzum. Varg's streamlining of elements that once made Burzum great really works against him here as essentially nothing here holds on the passion or quality of any previous release (Belus included). Vocally, I don't know why Varg chose to use so many cleans, sure they were cool on Belus when used in the background but Vargs fairy vocals in songs like "Jeg Faller" just add insult to injury. That being said I still enjoy parts of this record and it does feature some really standout work such as songs like "Enhver til Sitt"which somewhat give Burzum their majesty b(l)ack.
Crysis 01.31.11	There has been discussion about it in the Burzum news article as well as in the Marrow of the Spirit thread (for some reason). Anyways, finally settles on a 3.5 with about 5 listens thus far. I like the clean vocals quite a bit and feel that they add another dimension to the album, and also the increase in production values on the bass is excellent and welcome. The guitar are, admittedly, repetitive but the riffs I feel are strong enough to carry such lengthy tracks despite their few and far between. His screams are good but nothing truly outstanding. "Jeg Faller" and "Vahlen" are great tracks.
Hawks 01.31.11	I've listened to it 3 times and it's easily a 4 for me. Definitely an improvement over Belus. I think he's enhanced the riffs and the clean vocals are awesome. His harsh vocals aren't as good as they were on the earlier albums, but not anything to take away from the quality. Also, the atmosphere isn't anywhere near what it was on albums like Hvis Lyset Tar Oss or Filosofem, but again, nothing that really makes it less enjoyable for me. Can get a little repetitive at times though, which could be a problem for some people.
foreverendeared 01.31.11	I really like it, the clean vocals as well. In fact, I had more problem with the harsh vocals on this record. Right now, it's at about a 4 for me, while Belus is at a 4.5.
qwe3 01.31.11	i heard it was really good
qwe3 01.31.11	even redsky liked it he said so on fb i was all wuuuuuuh
SCREAM! 01.31.11	To me Fallen sounds like what Belus SHOULD have sounded like. The riffs are still a little too repetitive but are overall a lot stronger than on Belus. Varg has improved on his cleans and they make a nice break from the harsh vocals since those are nowhere near the quality of older records (not bad enough to take away but i'm glad he added variation with the cleans). Also like Crysis said, the bass is a welcome addition. He still needs to work on the overall atmosphere though. I'd give this a 3.5 but this is jsut after a mere 2 listens
TheSpirit 01.31.11	i don't think you would like it qwe, i would be surprised if you did
Mewcopa0 01.31.11	I've only listened to it once. Slightly better than Belus but that's not saying much. Also 3 is awesome!
TheSpirit 01.31.11	yes 3 is good : )
BallsToTheWall 01.31.11	5.4/5
Destroy All Girls 01.31.11	"To me Fallen sounds like what Belus SHOULD have sounded like. " how could this be apart from the first and last track they are virtually identical
TheSpirit 01.31.11	Belus was much much better imo and honestly i don't hear a connection between the two albums at all.
SCREAM! 01.31.11	"how could this be apart from the first and last track they are virtually identical" If you had read past the first line you would've seen me clearly explain my thoughts about it in words that should be simple enough for you to understand
Hawks 01.31.11	I agree with Spirit, I don't think they sound the same at all. I like this one better though.
foreverendeared 01.31.11	A lot of differing opinions on it though, which is really cool.
TheSpirit 01.31.11	I'm genuinely surprised most of the opinions are positive tbh
AngelofDeath 01.31.11	2.5
Hawks 01.31.11	I don't really see why they wouldn't be positive though. It's not overly long and there's plenty of catchy riffs and the clean vocals add another interesting element. The only thing it doesn't have is the atmosphere of the earlier albums.
TheSpirit 01.31.11	I'm inclined to agree with you Angel
Ovrot 01.31.11	3.0
TheSpirit 01.31.11	Everything has just been done to death on Fallen already tbqh, I think Varg really overextended himself on this one. OMG CLEAN VOKILLZ ON A BERZAM ALBUM?!?! They add a new dimension of suck.
Hawks 01.31.11	I realize it's been done a billion times before. Doesn't make it bad.
TheSpirit 01.31.11	In your opinion. I don't need something new and innovative to rule, but I just thought this was lameeeeee.
AngelofDeath 01.31.11	"Everything has just been done to death on Fallen already tbqh." And better. Only good thing about it is some of the riffs, and they go on way too long.
Hawks 01.31.11	Eh well I understand why you would think that. It's all good.
foreverendeared 01.31.11	"they go on way too long" ??
Destroy All Girls 01.31.11	"If you had read past the first line you would've seen me clearly explain my thoughts about it in words that should be simple enough for you to understand" yeah pity there actually really is very little to distinguish the two albums. splitting hairs over whether riffs are stronger or he has better cleans when there is a minimal improvement at best is pointless when both Belus and Fallen feel like a generic rehash of everything he (and countless other bands since) have done better. the BM he is producing is good, but mediocre to the point I have to wonder why people would bother returning to it. branching out and trying something new on the last track of Fallen didn't really work either, there are countless dark ambient acts who have done that ethnic instrumentation thing a lot better, it sounds like a work in progress and the atmosphere falls flat.
TheSpirit 01.31.11	soundsl ike some scrub banging on a trashcan
AngelofDeath 01.31.11	The production detracts from the repetition of the riffs rather than supports it. There's an atmosphere created on HLTO and Filosofem. Here it's just some decent riffs beaten to death without much to carry them. Needs keys, better production, and better vocals. Being able to hear the bass is cool, I guess, but it's not really anything too impressive.
TheSpirit 01.31.11	I thought the production was just a result of it being a poor rip, I was hoping a higher quality version would be released and my eyes would be opened. If that's not happening this is one extremely disappointed camper. Not saying I expected a great production from a black metal record, but the production on this is so lifeless
jingledeath 01.31.11	gave it one listen and it felt like another 2.5 but I'll see what happens after a few more listens.
Gorification 01.31.11	whats with the low scores? this is his best album since hvis lyset tar oss imo.
Hawks 01.31.11	It's not better than Filosofem.
AngelofDeath 01.31.11	I don't even think it's better than Belus.
Gorification 01.31.11	i think so. filosofem would have been a 5 for me if it werent for everything after the last 2 songs being the same thing over and over, especially the 25 minute one. not fucking necessary at all.
AngelofDeath 01.31.11	I agree with that, but it's still much better than Fallen.
fr33convict 01.31.11	I'm going with a 3 or 3.5 for now. It's solid and enjoyable. It's not a classic or revolutionary album, but at this point I'm just glad it doesn't suck.
TheSpirit 01.31.11	Aaaaahaaahahah, Jeg Faller, Mmmmmhmmmhmhm, Jeg Faller.
Wolfhorde 01.31.11	"I agree with that, but it's still much better than Fallen." Hell yeah. He should've stayed with the ambient influence.
Gorification 01.31.11	i think its a good return to his first couple albums.
TheSpirit 01.31.11	it doesn't sound anything like his first couple albums at all
DeafMetal 02.01.11	Belus was awesome. Fallen is okay.
Crysis 02.01.11	lol at that new 1 soundoff
Ire 02.01.11	even redsky liked it he said so on fb i was all wuuuuuuh
Crysis 02.01.11	Yeah saw that. I can see why he likes it, though.
Ire 02.01.11	lol you don't have a fb if you did you'd already be friends with me lol
AngelofDeath 02.01.11	Yeah, I saw that 1 soundoff lol. I mean, I don't really care for it, but man, that's just overboard.
AngelofDeath 02.01.11	Wish we could neg soundoffs.
Mordecai. 02.01.11	add me
TheSpirit 02.01.11	that kid that gave it a 1 post in the forums all the time. he's one of those faggots that wants to blow euronymous and thinks that black metal ideals and philosophies are more then just a pile of horseshit that they are.
Hyperion1001 02.01.11	I mean, not ALL the stuff they say is horseshit. I like how black metal has kind of embraced the whole pagan, connection to nature stuff. A lot of it is wacko extremist shit though. At least since Varg fucked Eurons face with a knife no one has had the balls to do anything they talk about.
TheSpirit 02.01.11	Most of it is bullshit. I'm sure underneath all the feces there is a good point here and there, but sometimes it is really unbelievable how dumb people can be. Like. Wow.
Deviant. 02.01.11	Pretty much agree with everything Meatplow said
InvertedChurch 02.20.11	As for Terzij de Horde, we're planning to record a split 7" at the end of May, and a full-length somewhere at the end of Summer. Thanks for the plugging!