Burzum "Dauði Baldrs"

Dauði Baldrs (English: "Baldr's Death" or "The Death of Baldr") is the fifth album by the Norwegian one-man band Burzum. Unlike Burzum's previous work, which was mostly black metal, this is a dark ambient album. It was recorded using a synthesizer and a normal tape recorder by Varg Vikernes while he was in prison, as he was not allowed to have any other instruments or recording equipment. It was completed in a few months due to his limited access to synthesizers, which was also the case with the following album, Hliðskjálf.

The album is about the legacy of Baldr, the second son of Odin in Norse mythology. Most likely a concept album, as the whole album leads up to Ragnarök, the battle at the end of the world in Norse mythology.

Stylistically, the album is a mix of medieval music, ambient, neoclassical and minimalism, a huge stray-away from the raw black metal that characterized Burzum's earlier work. Some songs are very folk-driven and medieval, while some are sparse, hypnotic ambient minimalist songs, particularly "Illa tiðandi". The album has been described by many as "dungeon synth". The songs contrast each other quite a lot, with the title track, "Bálferð Baldrs" and "Í heimr heljar" being the most medieval-like. "Móti Ragnarokum" contains monophonic sections mixed with other thicker sections. "Illa tiðandi" is easily the most minimalist track, with only two sections being repeated over the 10:29 duration, which are both simple piano melodies, eventually accompanied by a choral chant.

"Illa tiðandi" is an alternative version of the song "Decrepitude I", while "Bálferð Baldrs" is an ambient version of the main riff from the song "Jesu død". Both of these songs appeared on Burzum's previous album Filosofem.


The song "Dauði Baldrs" was later re-recorded as the song "Belus død" on the 2010 album Belus.

The album was originally named Baldrs Død. The Misanthropy promo CD sent out before the album's release had this title, as well as a different cover. Furthermore, some copies of the album have a misprint of the Burzum logo, spelling it "Burzu". Rare original pressings of the LP include an eight-page booklet with artwork and Norwegian text as well as a set of six tarot cards.