Since Varg Vikernes was released from prison a little over a year ago, he hasn't wasted a bit of time. Fallen is his second full length record since that release. Last year's Belus was a pretty great record, but Fallen takes what he started on that epic, and expounds on it ten fold. The guitars are still the signature Burzum sound that we are all accustomed to. The vocals are the big surprise this time around. On Belus, he used a more deathly growl than his earlier records, this time he adds Viking/Clean vocals all over the place. I personally was really surprised at this new style, as I was hoping for the "banshee-screech" vocals that Varg used on his earlier work. Surprisingly, these viking style vocals blend perfectly with the sombre atmosphere that Varg paints with his guitar parts. The only thing that most people seem to complain about is Varg's drumming, but I have no such issues, and I think that his lack of drumming skill complements the music perfectly. This record could have been easily issued between the 2nd and 3rd record and no one would have complained. The return of old-school Norwegian Black Metal? I think it would be great if Varg's quality of releases urged the other bands of Norway to up the ante so the same. 9/10
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It's so cool that in Norway the longest they can keep you in prison for murder is 21 years. Ah, how time flew by. Recently caught Varg in the doc "Until the light takes us", it had inspired me to write and record some quick little death metal ditties. It's good he's out, he was framed. It was self-defense not murder, now he can get back to burning some churches with his awesome music. I'll have to pick up a copy of Burzum. Long Live Satan...or some such mystical being.
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