Burzum (; Norwegian: [ˈbʉ̀rtsʉm]) is a Norwegian music project founded by Kristian "Varg" Vikernes in 1991. Although Burzum never played live performances, it became a key member of the early Norwegian black metal scene and is considered one of the most influential acts in the history of black metal and its offshoot National Socialist black metal (NSBM). The word "burzum" means "darkness" in the Black Speech, a fictional language crafted by The Lord of the Rings writer J. R. R. Tolkien. Burzum's lyrics and imagery are often inspired by fantasy and Norse mythology.