Fallen

Burzum's 'Fallen' is a haunting exploration of existential themes, delving deep into the human psyche's confrontation with death, forgetfulness, and darkness. The song's lyrics, penned by Varg Vikernes, reflect a profound yearning for answers to life's ultimate riddles, seeking solace in the embrace of death. The repeated invocation of 'dear death' and 'my death' underscores a personal and intimate relationship with mortality, suggesting a desire to transcend the limitations of the physical world and uncover hidden truths.

The song's metaphors are rich and evocative. The 'river of forgetfulness' alludes to the mythological Lethe, one of the five rivers of the Greek underworld, whose waters cause those who drink from it to forget their past lives. This imagery suggests a longing to escape the burdens of memory and consciousness, to find peace in oblivion. Similarly, the 'friendly warmth of the light' sought in darkness hints at the paradoxical nature of enlightenment, where true understanding may only be found by confronting the void.

Burzum's musical style, characterized by its raw, atmospheric black metal sound, complements the lyrical themes of 'Fallen.' The repetitive, almost hypnotic structure of the song mirrors the cyclical nature of existential questioning, where answers seem perpetually out of reach. The references to carving hidden runes and throwing a spear into a malevolent chanter's heart evoke ancient Norse mythology, grounding the song's abstract themes in a rich cultural context. Ultimately, 'Fallen' is a meditation on the human condition, grappling with the inevitability of death and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.