Filosofem

Limited edition which features the German tracklist on cover, but both lyrics translations (German and Norwegian/English depending on the song) in the 12-page booklet.

Comes in 2 different editions, one being with hard-cover.

Here is the German tracklisting as printed:
1. Dunkelheit
2. Jesus' Tod
3. Erblicket die Töchter des Firmaments
4. Gebrechlichkeit I
5. Rundgang um die transzendentale Säule der Singularität
6. Gebrechlichkeit II

However, contrary to popular belief, the more accurate tracklisting is the "Norwegian version", in which the Norwegian-titled tracks have Norwegian lyrics and the English-titled tracks have English lyrics. This is the version found on the back of the booklet, and the version that Varg considers to be correct, as reflected in an interview:

"The "Filosofem" ("Philosofem")* album: this album contains the first real Burzum track, titled "Dunkelheit" on the album (but the real title of the track is "Burzum". "Dunkelheit" is just the German translation of "Burzum"), that I originally wanted to include on the Hvis lyset tar oss album (but the recording was very poor, so I didn't use it). I changed the name to Burzum from Uruk-Hai when I made this song (I think in August 1991). The album is a bit weird, and far from perfect, but it is okay. Unfortunately, this is the album that sounds the most like the new Burzum music."

* correct English should be "Philosopheme".

"Burzum" (meaning "darkness") is a word from the black speech of Mordor, a language created by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The album cover and booklet contain extensive artwork by the Norwegian painter Theodor Kittelsen (1857-1914). The front cover is a close-up of his 1900 painting entitled 'Op Under Fjeldet Toner en Lur' (Norwegian for 'Up in the Hills a Clarion Call Rings Out'), which features a woman playing a birch trumpet.

"Rundgang um die transzendentale Säule der Singularität" is one of the songs on the Gummo soundtrack (as an edit).

Recording information:

Recorded at Breidablik Studio in March 1993 (actually recorded by Pytten in Grieghallen, but this fact was not credited until the Byelobog Productions 2010 reissue).

Identifiers:

Barcode (Reader): 5029029009998
Barcode (Text): 5 029029 009998
Matrix / Runout: DADC AUSTRIA A0100181635-0101 15
Matrix / Runout (Mould Ring Variation 1): A2
Matrix / Runout (Mould Ring Variation 2): A1
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L555
Mould SID Code (Variation 1): IFPI 94D7
Mould SID Code (Variation 2): IFPI 94G0