Black Metal act BURZUM are not selling a shirt featuring Kanye West sporting his BURZUM shirt
The unlikely camaraderie between two individuals with a history of anti-Semitic sentiments came into the spotlight when Kanye West teased his upcoming “Vultures 1” album. Initially, “Vultures 1” faced criticism for featuring a painting from 1835 by German artist Caspar David Friedrich on its cover, a reference to the black metal band’s album “Filosofem“. Although the final cover has been altered, West continued to utilize the painting and black metal-inspired font on a range of shirts available on his website.
Further reinforcing his alignment with controversial ideologies, West was photographed wearing a BURZUM long sleeved shirt in a recent image. This gesture was not surprising, as West has been accused of anti-Semitic behavior, evident in lyrics from his recent album such as “Crazy, bipolar, antisemite/And I’m still the king.” His remarks, including statements like “I like Hitler” and “We’ve got to stop dissing the Nazis all the time,” have only fueled these accusations.
Unsurprisingly, Varg Vikernes, the controversial figure behind BURZUM, welcomed West‘s endorsement. In a peculiar interpretation of the word “courage,” Vikernes commended West‘s fashion choice as a display of bravery. This interaction led to the creation of a shirt featuring Kanye West wearing a BURZUM shirt, available for purchase on Plastic Head, an online retailer specializing in officially licensed merchandise.
For those seeking to align themselves with Vikernes‘ worldview, the opportunity to obtain the shirt serves as a testament to the depths of ignorance and controversy surrounding both individuals.
BURZUM is a Norwegian black metal band founded by Varg Vikernes in 1991. Emerging from the infamous Norwegian black metal scene, the band quickly gained notoriety for its raw and atmospheric sound, characterized by shrieking vocals, distorted guitars, and minimalistic compositions.
Varg Vikernes, the sole member and creative force behind BURZUM, is known for his controversial ideologies and actions. The band’s early releases, including the influential albums “Burzum” (1992) and “Det som engang var” (1993), garnered praise within the black metal community for their dark and introspective themes.
However, the band’s legacy is marred by Vikernes‘ involvement in church burnings and the murder of fellow musician Øystein Aarseth, also known as Euronymous, in 1993. Vikernes was convicted of these crimes and served a lengthy prison sentence.
Despite the controversies surrounding the band, BURZUM‘s music continues to be influential in the black metal genre, inspiring countless artists with its haunting atmospheres and nihilistic ethos. Over the years, Vikernes has released numerous albums under the BURZUM name, exploring various musical styles while maintaining the band’s dark and foreboding aesthetic.
