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Negură Bunget: Vîrstele pămîntului

13/12/10 || The Duff

I’m not all too familiar with Neguru Bungett, their first two full-lengths within my possession (one of which recently re-released as re-recorded 2010 effort “Măiestrit”) seldom listened to due to the uncongenial production jobs. Said that, “‘N Crugu Bradalui” is without doubt a black metal masterpiece, and the follow-up quite the prog meets black likewise classic. Despite quite an obvious transition in development from “‘N Crugu” to “Om” (these guys being quite ardent followers of all things Enslaved), the next Negura album was still something awaited eagerly, and yet, just following taster live videos cropping up on YouTube of recently written material, founding members Hupogrammos and Sol’Faur depart from the original line-up following a dispute with fellow-founding member and drummer Negru and the world is turned upside-down.

So, 2010, you have to ask yourself does the new effort measure up, and if so, how much of the material found therein is original Negura Bungett material spanning from the last effort comprising the original line-up and how much is the new line-up, a possible money-grabbing scheme, hmmmmmmmmm? Well, Negru very quickly put speculation to rest in a recent interview posted at metalreview.com (read with my allegiance to GD unwavering, of course), that “Vîrstele Pamîntului” is in fact entirely material written by this new incarnation of the band. But is he telling the truth, heeeeeeeeeeeein? See, this is a good record, but the material is inconsistent, ranging from breathtaking to average and out of place – I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the recently departed members now reformed as Dordeduh have played some part in the writing process of the new effort.

Album opener pisses me right the fuck off – pan flutes or some such overplayed for atmospheric purposes, done in an over-elaborate manner for no real intent other than to drag one into a false, wandering mindset. Not before long, though, much like the opening to “Om”, we’re treated to a chanted incantation-like intro that leaches into a full-on dementia-fueled, blood-curdling screech-fest of true black metal fashion – roll in the keys, drums and weaving, haunting guitar lines played so prevalently on this album’s immediate predecessor, bringing us back into the band’s connection with nature and setting the pace we’ve familiarized ourselves with when it comes to its beautifully meandering material that is both chilling and calming, extreme in neither domain but instead a perfect blend.

Second track is folk, eerie cleans, a placid start-up followed once more by a segue into chaotic terrain; it is with “Dacia Hiperboreană” that we’re introduced to one of three epic-length cuts, where personally the opener appears two short tracks pasted together. The track comprises real haunting keys, slow-paced, atmospheric guitar lines that swerve and meld before giving way to an absolutely gorgeous melody, much akin to one of the first cuts off “Om”. And such is one element where Negru and Co. Have failed to maintain Negura Bunget’s career exploits thus far – there is no evolution, the true signs of development the writing has taken altogether ill-chosen for the purpose of disguising a lack of inspiration for fresh ideas. We’re talking Maiden leads and chug-riffs, something unheard of as far as I can tell when Hupogrammos and Sol’Faur were still in the band.

There is still some breathtaking material on this disc, in true Negura Bunget fashion, but I question whether one hundred percent of the music here is entirely of the new line-up’s collaboration – of course, I have little to do but take Negru’s word, but it’s an up-and-downer for sure. The completeness of the album is spot on, but it doesn’t feel like a conceptual effort to me; just six very clear-cut, enjoyable tracks plus two instrumentals that offer little despite belonging all fine and dandy-like, and a closer that is a real disappointment compared to everything that has led up to it. The production is a clean affair but with enough ruggedness to give it an authentic feel, thoughts of nature abound. The performances are very solid, special mention being Negru’s drumming which I have always been very fond of – an almost half-assed blast-beat that is militaristic in feel, overlaid of all things the clean folk guitars it makes for a mean rhythm section.

“Om” was a very important album to follow up on, and they’ve fallen short with “Vîrstele Pamîntului”, despite its appeal to long-time fans of the band like myself who can get inundated by the more full-on hardcore evil trim and grue variety of BM. Overall, I would say the material is strong to very strong with some minor inadequacies, and considering 66.66 percent of the main creative force left the band’s ranks, I’d still maintain we’re on the up.

Information
Released: 2010
Label: Code666
Website: www.negurabunget.com
Band
Negru: drums, percussion
Ageru Pamintului: percussion, archaic instruments, vocals, xylophone, pipes
Inia Dinia: keyboards
Gadinet: bass, panpipe
Corb: guitars, vocals, dulcimer
Spin: guitars

Tracklist
01. Pămînt
02. Dacia Hiperboreană
03. Umbra
04. Ochiul Inimii
05. Chei de rouă
06. Țara de Dincolo de Negură
07. Jar
08. Arborele Lumii
09. Întoarcerea Amurgului

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