Five years after a masterpiece like Vîrstele pămîntului, Romanian Negură Bunget are back with a new album, Tău, which is the first installment of a trilogy called Transilvanian Trilogy. A cause for curiosity about this album is the revolution in the lineup: Negru, the absolute ovelord of Negură Bunget, is the only survivor of the fantastic lineup that gave birth to the wonderful Vîrstele pămîntului. Could such a big change affect the songwriting?
Well, Tău delivers the usual black metal contaminated with folk music; Negură Bunget's music is actually much more: one should rather talk about proper Romanian folk music on a metal base. The result is enchanting atmospheres, with a huge variety of instruments and solutions and a unique class; in short, an intricate and complex album as Negură Bunget always used to be. The album begins beautifully with “Nămetenie”, perhaps the best song on the album with the theremin played by Gabriel Almași. But then Tău proves not to be on the same level as masterpieces such as Om and Vîrstele pămîntului; obviously we are still talking about an album by Negură Bunget, who are the quintessence of musical eclecticism and above all first-class musicians. The singing, for which OQ and Tibor Kati are responsible, consists mostly of a very low-pitched growl that would be suitable for grindcore; however, a special note goes to the additional vocals by Alexandrina on “Împodobeala timpului”. There is no need to praise the skills of Negru, perhaps the best percussionist within extreme metal. The album also features two special guests: the additional voices by Sakis Tolis of Rotting Christ on “Tărîm vîlhovnicesc” and the additional guitars by Blasphemer of Aura Noir on “Împodobeala timpului”.
In general I would say that Tău is a darker album compared to the previous ones; maybe this depends on the current mood of Negru or perhaps on the influence of new musicians: listen for example to “Schimniceşte”. Tău is perhaps not the best album by Negură Bunget, but it is still a Negură Bunget album, that is one of the best releases in 2015. Guaranteed.
Notes:
Release date: February 27 2015 on Lupus Lounge.
Tracklist:
1. Nămetenie
2. Izbucul galbenei
3. La hotaru cu cinci culmi
4. Curgerea muntelui
5. Tărîm vîlhovnicesc
6. Împodobeala timpului
7. Picur viu foc
8. Schimnicește
Personnel:
Negru: drums, percussion, dulcimer, xylophone, tulnici
Ovidiu: corodan bass
Petrică Ionuţescu: flute, nai, kaval, tulnici
OQ: guitars, vocals, keyboards
Tibor Kati: vocals, guitars, keyboards, programming
Guest musicians:
Alexandrina: vocals (female) (track 6)
Sakis Tolis: vocals (additional) (track 5)
Blasphemer: guitars (track 6)
Gabriel Almași: theremin (track 1)
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
Well, Tău delivers the usual black metal contaminated with folk music; Negură Bunget's music is actually much more: one should rather talk about proper Romanian folk music on a metal base. The result is enchanting atmospheres, with a huge variety of instruments and solutions and a unique class; in short, an intricate and complex album as Negură Bunget always used to be. The album begins beautifully with “Nămetenie”, perhaps the best song on the album with the theremin played by Gabriel Almași. But then Tău proves not to be on the same level as masterpieces such as Om and Vîrstele pămîntului; obviously we are still talking about an album by Negură Bunget, who are the quintessence of musical eclecticism and above all first-class musicians. The singing, for which OQ and Tibor Kati are responsible, consists mostly of a very low-pitched growl that would be suitable for grindcore; however, a special note goes to the additional vocals by Alexandrina on “Împodobeala timpului”. There is no need to praise the skills of Negru, perhaps the best percussionist within extreme metal. The album also features two special guests: the additional voices by Sakis Tolis of Rotting Christ on “Tărîm vîlhovnicesc” and the additional guitars by Blasphemer of Aura Noir on “Împodobeala timpului”.
In general I would say that Tău is a darker album compared to the previous ones; maybe this depends on the current mood of Negru or perhaps on the influence of new musicians: listen for example to “Schimniceşte”. Tău is perhaps not the best album by Negură Bunget, but it is still a Negură Bunget album, that is one of the best releases in 2015. Guaranteed.
Notes:
Release date: February 27 2015 on Lupus Lounge.
Tracklist:
1. Nămetenie
2. Izbucul galbenei
3. La hotaru cu cinci culmi
4. Curgerea muntelui
5. Tărîm vîlhovnicesc
6. Împodobeala timpului
7. Picur viu foc
8. Schimnicește
Personnel:
Negru: drums, percussion, dulcimer, xylophone, tulnici
Ovidiu: corodan bass
Petrică Ionuţescu: flute, nai, kaval, tulnici
OQ: guitars, vocals, keyboards
Tibor Kati: vocals, guitars, keyboards, programming
Guest musicians:
Alexandrina: vocals (female) (track 6)
Sakis Tolis: vocals (additional) (track 5)
Blasphemer: guitars (track 6)
Gabriel Almași: theremin (track 1)
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com