Negura Bunget - Zirnindu-sa CD Review

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2002-09-28 : Ostonegu
I definitely agree with the previous reviewer that this cd just gets better with every listen. Ice-cold Transylvanian bleakness with nordic influences contributing to an original style. There are slight traces of early Emperor in the more epic moments, and a Burzum influence in both the harsh vocal style and the structural relations of vocal lines to wandering, cyclical music. However, Negura Bunget succeed completely in charting an original course through the misty Romanian forests. The rhythms are very, very interesting. They both carry the music forward and hint at a more "technical" style with counterpoints and outlines to the multi-tempo riff work. Thus, the aforementoned Burzum-like cyclical motion proceeds on a more complex, almost prog axis. The guitars, while melodic are generally more palm-muted than the typical Norwegian open, ringing decay. This adds some muscle to the music, without getting too bass heavy or sacrificing atmosphere. And "Zirnindu-sa" has atmosphere in spades. The keyboards are prominent, but mixed at just the right level to meld with the guitars and drums into an expansive organic whole. They provide long background washes for the most part, but occasionally slide into a more lead-melodic role without degrading into easy melodrama. These guys know the value of restraint in balancing out constantly shifting compositional structures. For complex, sophisticated black metal with an intuitive understanding of the genre's more effective strategies, look no further.
2002-09-07 : skyrock
Negura Bunget is one of those "gets better each time you play it" groups. They do have a sound of their own, and also check out their other cd. Both are excellent, and this cd stays in my favorite sounds box.