Burzum is a Norwegian music project formed by Varg Vikernes in 1991, who was previously a member of Mayhem. Although Burzum never performed live, it became a key figure in the early Norwegian black metal scene and is widely regarded as one of the genre’s most influential acts. The name Burzum means darkness in the Black Speech from J R R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Drawing inspiration from fantasy and Norse mythology, Burzum’s music is known for its atmospheric and raw sound. Vikernes recorded the first four albums in the early 1990s before being imprisoned from 1994 to 2009. During this time, he released two dark ambient albums made with synthesizers. After his release, he expanded Burzum’s style to include neofolk and continued to release new material until ending the project in 2020, later announcing a new album in 2024.