It seemed logical to have a Count Grishnackh Day after Fenriz Day, so that's what I'm going with. Anyhow, this is a sort of neo-classical affair done on a computer (since Grishnackh was in prison at the time and it was the only way that he could make music), and while many would disagree, I find it to be a more rewarding listening experience than most of this man's "metal" material. In fact, I dare say that this prick's imprisonment was the best Burzum-related thing to ever happen to me, since it meant that he would be forced to abandon his grating-as-fuck screaming for a bit and just deliver the goods. All of the tracks on this album are fairly minimalistic pieces composed on fake pianos and fake medieval instruments, and conjure powerful images of ancient times and nature with their majestic themes and dark, mournful melodies. Like a lot of music that's composed on the computer, the music on this album gains its strength from layering and the beautiful harmonization of simple melodic phrasings. The repetition, while delightfully entrancing, can be a bit excessive at times ("Illa Tiandi"), and the timbre obviously isn't the best -- it sounds like it could go to a 90's video game -- but the music is good nonetheless.
I know that there's a lot of stigma surrounding the man behind the music -- it seems to get brought up any time the subject of Burzum's music is broached -- but I don't really care. Although I generally don't find out much about artists beyond their work, I do know from what little I've heard/read that this man killed another fanatical nutcase who threatened him and is supposedly some kind of pseudo-aristocratic racist prick. Big whoop. Good music is good music. Sure, I wouldn't bother with something by the likes of Hitler or Mussolini, but this guy clearly doesn't act upon whatever twisted ideas he has like they did. From what little I know, this guy seems to want nothing more than to live in seclusion on some farm and look down with contempt on anyone outside of his fiefdom. Power to him; let him sulk as much as he likes. At least his work is original and has integrity, the least of which could be said for even some of the nicest musicians.
Favorite track: "Móti Ragnarokum"
Least favorite track: "Daudi Baldrs"
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