Burzum - Hvis lyset tar oss (1994)

Artist: Burzum

Album: Hvis lyset tar oss

Released: 1994

Type: Full-Length

Origin: Norway

Genre: Black Metal, Ambient

Lyrical themes: Myths, Folklore, Odalism, Darkness, Philosophy

Hvis lyset tar oss (Norwegian for If the Light Takes Us) is the third studio album by Norwegian black metal solo project Burzum. It was recorded in September 1992, but was not released until April 1994, whereupon it was released through Misanthropy Records and Vikernes' own record label, Cymophane Productions. The album is considered a classic in the black metal scene.

The album cover features a drawing by 19th century artist Theodor Kittelsen named Fattigmannen (The Pauper). Vikernes dedicated the album to Fenriz of fellow Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone and "Demonas", possibly referring to Demonaz from Norwegian black metal band Immortal. Promotional copies sent to fanzines included the song "Et hvitt lys over skogen" (Norwegian for "A White Light Over the Forest") instead of "Tomhet". "Et hvitt lys over skogen" later appeared on the 1998 compilation album Presumed Guilty.

According to Vikernes, Hvis lyset tar oss is a concept album, about:

[...] what once was, before the light took us and we rode into the castle of the dream. Into emptiness. It's something like: beware the Christian light, it will take you away into degeneracy and nothingness. What others call light I call darkness. Seek the darkness and hell and you will find nothing but evolution.

Track List:

1. Det som en gang var - 14:21

2. Hvis lyset tar oss - 08:04

3. Inn i slottet fra droemmen  - 07:51

4. Tomhet - 14:12 - Instrumental

  Total Playing Time 44:28  

Song titles in English are: 

1. "What Once Was"

2. "If the Light Takes Us"

3. "Into the Castle from the Dream"

4. "Emptiness"

Count Grishnackh (Varg Vikernes) – all tracks, vocals, guitar, keyboard, synthesizer, drums, bass, production

Pytten – production