Album Review

Score 5.1
Written by Ryan Plunkett
Published on 12/23/2003
All right, here we go… my third review of an album with no singing what so ever. In addition, once again, it is from the one and only Burzum. Hlidskjalf feeds off its predecessor, Daudi Baldrs taking a somewhat neo-classical approach. However, the production is much more professional and sounds less like something a 15 year old pagan grim black metal enthusiast came up with on his shitty Casio keyboard in his mom’s basement. Overall, the album feels much more focused and it also takes on a more ambient and avantgarde approach. Through vast sound capes of keys and backing ambience, Varg does manage to create something worth listening to maybe once or twice. The songs still however drag out and repeat themselves a bit much for my taste. With its use of keys, it escapes that horrible title of complete noise, but still I am just never feeling the atmosphere this has to offer. If there’s not going to be singing, then the instruments have to be doing something amazing that speaks for itself and never once does this really go anywhere with its slow pace. Each time I listen to it, I cannot wait for each track to finish so it can go to the next and eventually end. If you want to hear Burzum at its best, check into this album. It is ten times better than the kvlt black metal released so many years ago and beats the hell out of the last album, Daudi Baldrs. Nonetheless, this is still not worth buying in my mind. I could see giving it a couple spins, but still there is just nothing exciting to offer here.



Anonymous's Avatar
Anonymous | posted on 3/2011 | Reply
Hlidskjalf and Bald Doggies is the best he could come with in prison. I understand they only let him use a Casio Cz synth. I have one and he definitely did not learn to program its potential well. Everyone talks big about what choices he made in prison. But from what I understand, if you are white and in prison, you'd best be acting all white power or get killed. I was wondering where he got the scar on his face too. I don't see it in pictures of him before prison. I do think he is intelligent, but I miss his old black metal looks and music. Glad to see his latest offerings Belles and Fallen are more like the old days. Hopefully his vocal style will go back to S/T - Aske days. Burzum and Beherit Rule!
James's Avatar
James | posted on 12/2007 | Reply
I agree with Bob, I didn't like Burzum's raw BM at first but I've been able to enjoy a few songs since and I think it is far more impressive than the ambient stuff Varg is putting out, there is much better and more atmospheric ambient music than this.
Unknown Metalhead
JENARO | posted on 11/2007 | Reply
I LOVE MAN GRAVY ON MY FACE !!!!!!!!
The Great Cretaceous Bob's Avatar
The Great Cretaceous Bob | posted on 7/2007 | Reply
Fuck "Burzum at its best," Burzum was actually decent when it was black metal. This is trash. Varg talks like a rational person, and then he'll say something about Jews that is completely ridiculous. Certainly one of the most interesting personalities in black metal.
Unknown Metalhead
lol.. | posted on 7/2007 | Reply
Burzum is so bad that they dont even deserve to be reviewed. even if its funny to talk shit about how bad it is. :(
Unknown Metalhead
Anti-Anti | posted on 7/2007 | Reply
You ever notice that all the white supremicists & Black Suprmescists are all a bitch slap away from bein homos? hahahah@ lash below
Unknown Metalhead
His fecal encrusted dildo | posted on 7/2007 | Reply
How did Varg get that scar on his chin anyway ? is it a strechmark ?
Unknown Metalhead
Danny | posted on 7/2007 | Reply
You ever notice how homophobes are an anal raping away from being racists?
Unknown Metalhead
Anti-Anti | posted on 7/2007 | Reply
You ever notice that all the white supremicists & Black Suprmescists are all a bitch slap away from bein homos? hahahah@ lash below
Unknown Metalhead
His fecal encrusted dildo | posted on 7/2007 | Reply
How did Varg get that scar on his chin anyway ? is it a strechmark ?
Unknown Metalhead
NZ_Metalhead | posted on 7/2007 | Reply
Barg Bikerness HAHAHAHAHAHA
Unknown Metalhead
JENARO | posted on 7/2007 | Reply
ONLY WHEN YOU ARE CAPABLE OF NOT LETTINNG THE USUAL HERD MENTALITY OF WHEREVER THIS ALBUM IS WORTH BUYING OR NOT . THEN ONLY THEN YOU CAN REALLY APRECIATE THE QUALITY OF THE ALBUM HLIDSKJALF. THE MUSIC OF BARG BIKERNESS GOES BEYOND ANYTHING COMMERCIAL.IS NOT TO BE PRETY MUSIC FOR IDIOTS. BURZUM MUSIC IS COLD AND ONE OF LONLINESS
Unknown Metalhead
JENARO | posted on 7/2007 | Reply
ONLY WHEN YOU ARE CAPABLE OF NOT LETTINNG THE USUAL HERD MENTALITY OF WHEREVER THIS ALBUM IS WORTH BUYING OR NOT . THEN ONLY THEN YOU CAN REALLY APRECIATE THE QUALITY OF THE ALBUM HLIDSKJALF. THE MUSIC OF BARG BIKERNESS GOES BEYOND ANYTHING COMMERCIAL.IS NOT TO BE PRETY MUSIC FOR IDIOTS. BURZUM MUSIC IS COLD AND ONE OF LONLINESS
Unknown Metalhead
Bearzum | posted on 11/2006 | Reply
God why the hell do any of you care about political views anyways? Everyone is biased, rap is more racist than Varg for satans sake!
Chris's Avatar
Chris | posted on 10/2006 | Reply
While Varg's political views are certainly convoluted and often contradict themselves (the man seemingly can't keep track of all his different beliefs half the time) he is very talented musically. While his earliest black metal albums are of questionably quality, Hvis Lyset Tar Oss is an incredible ambient black metal album, and Filosofem is not only his best album, but one of the best black metal albums of all time. While these two keyboard albums are kind of a joke, Burzum has earned its legacy with the aforementioned releases.
jason's Avatar
jason | posted on 10/2006 | Reply
it cant be that bad if varg managed to shut his fucking mouth for this cd.
Unknown Metalhead
nkjjnhklknjkl | posted on 10/2006 | Reply
"If you want to hear Burzum at its best, check into this album. It is ten times better than the kvlt black metal released so many years ago..." You people don't know SHIT about black metal, so why do you review it? Hlidskjalf, Burzum's best?.... HAhahaha.
Unknown Metalhead
Ian | posted on 6/2006 | Reply
Filosofem is where it's at.
Las7's Avatar
Las7 | posted on 6/2006 | Reply
I enjoyed this album ,burn me
dave's Avatar
dave  | posted on 9/2005 | Reply
If any of you actualy understood burzum or varg you would get it throught your shitless skulls that the guy accomplished more than any of you would in 15 lifetimes, if you knew anything about the guy and burzum(just a one man band thou)you would see the guy just had to put up with a bunch of assholes in the wrong way for too long....and look what happens.
Unknown Metalhead
Skullbearer | posted on 6/2004 | Reply
Varg isn't a neo-nazi supporter anymore. . And this cd is fucking amazing..varg has more talent in his left nut than all other black metal bands together
Unknown Metalhead
grinder | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
your gay but ill let u go this time becuz i actually agree with you ,bout this album anyways.
Unknown Metalhead
ERK | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
No man should ever have to hear this album. It's the type of music that will turn you into a cocksucking faggot within 10 minutes of it's fruity happy untalented keyboard melodies. The concept is simple, you take some ugly scarred murderer faggot who wrote the shittiest black metal the world has ever heard, lock him up, take away his guitar, and give him a 100 dollar keyboard and 50 recorder. The results are then printed on CDs. By your laughter, I sense that some of you find that concept mighty cheesy and quite gay. Well it is. You see, the music this buttnut made in jail is even WORSE than the shitty crap black metal he made while he was a free man. Unfortunately the public still suffers from this untalented eardrum murdering faggot because some idiot is releasing his shitty jail records. Beware, do not listen to this garbage!! It's music only sissies and faggots enjoy who have no concept of musicianship or real talent.
Unknown Metalhead
Varg Vikernes | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
MY NAME IS VARG! GUITAR IS FOR NIGGERS! WHEN IS JON NODTVEIDT GOING TO RELEASE A NEW DE INFERNALI ALBUM? THAT SHIT WAS PHENOMENAL! TIME TO GO FART IN A VOCORDER! YARR! GUITARNIGGERS!
Unknown Metalhead
grnder | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
the only joke around here is u kt .
Unknown Metalhead
Elysian | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
People like that prove just how worthless this shit is.
Unknown Metalhead
kt | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
U PEOPLE ARE ALL FUCKIN MORONS----VARG IS A MUSICAL GENIUS FUCKERS!! NAZIS FOREVER!!
Unknown Metalhead
grinder | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
but arent we all ,god bailed on us when he saw what a shity creation he made (adam and eve thank u very fucking much)
Unknown Metalhead
Strength | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
I'm a bastard child Grinder!!
Lee's Avatar
Lee | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
Is way overrated and not very good, much better out there. Mortis's ambient Dungeon stuff is far, far better and so it the electronica of Beherit, Bethelem and other way avantegard bands. The guy is overrated and just cult because he killed somebody and makes stupid racist remarks, at leasts bands like Grand Belial, Graveland, Arghoslant and Nocturnal Mortum can back up their idoicy with good music.
Unknown Metalhead
grinder | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
shut up kt your such a racist idiot. i bet you are a bastard child and youre step dad is some drunk black dude who beats and rapes your mom every night as u sit in a dark corner with your head between ur knees and ur hands on ur ears crying out "make him stop make him stop".
Drewcifer's Avatar
Drewcifer | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
"guitar is for niggers!" is probably the most hilarious and fucking retarded statement i've heard in years. it's too bad this idiot hasn't been stabbed in prison yet. Burzum was never good. And no, I'm not saying that because he's racist, and i don't think this album got a poor review because it's racist. Hell, I love Nokturnal Mortem if that means anything.
Unknown Metalhead
Ravenous | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
Thanks for your input Katie, now go away.
Unknown Metalhead
KT | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
Aryan Power fuckers!!!
Unknown Metalhead
grinder | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
this review isnt baised at all ,although i generally enjoy some of burzums music. varg is still a little nazi bitch who i woud gladly mutilate .
Unknown Metalhead
davefons | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
he didnt mention varg's racism once in either of his reviews. C'mon Windrider, you've been at this site long enough to trust ravenous' credibility. Just because he doesnt like burzum as much as you is no reason to say his review is biased. In both reviews, he sticks strictly to the music and production, and from what he's said i don't see myself looking into this stuff.
Unknown Metalhead
Ravenous | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
and I don't care. This music sucks. It's not my thing plain and simple. I don't know anyone else that writes for this site that would have given it a much better review then this one. And even for '99, this is by no means amazing.
Unknown Metalhead
Elysian | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
A lot. These reviews were more than fair.
Diesel's Avatar
Diesel | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
this review seems a lot more "fair and balanced" than his other one. For instance, I might actually track down this one, but not the other.
Unknown Metalhead
Slash | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
Yea you were a little harsh on this I believe. Wasn't this released like back in 99? Did they re-release it or something?
Unknown Metalhead
wind | posted on 12/2003 | Reply
Look rav we all know Burzum is racist, but i think u used this aspect as an influence on your review. Musically this album is bad ass and is certainly well composed