From Transilvanian Forests ...

Happy Easter Everyone. And what better way to celebrate Easter then with a little review on Romanian black metal band Negura Bunget. I thought I'd start this series of reviews off with their 2005 EP "Inarborat Kosmos". Negura Bunget is a black metal band, but that just seems understated. They play symphonic black metal with touches of folk and even goth. Their lyrics are steeped in Romanian Spirituality and mythology and together they create some bleak brutal and haunting metal.

Like Moonsorrow, Negura Bunget do not write songs, but create musical imagery. However, Negura Bunget are more assessable with mostly shorter songs. "Inarborat Kosmos" is a 20 minute ep sampling of the vivid black metal Negura Bunget are creating with 2 epic tracks and 2 pseudo instrumentals.

Starting the album is "Wordless Knowledge" which sets the mood with hauntingly sinister black metal that borders on Gothic. One can't help but imagine bleak castles and moonlit nights and perhaps a popular bloodsucker. This is followed by "Cint De Sursur", an eerie orchestral piece that's dark and brooding and reminiscent of "Spleen And Ideal" era Dead Can Dance.

"Uprising Follow" is the 2nd epic track clocking in at 7 + min and is more traditionally black metal with heavy symphonic elements that add a majesticness similar to Moonsorrow, but I would say darker and more sinister. One could almost compare this to Twin Obscenity with Negura's sickly deathy vocals and riffwork. The album closer is "Vaiet", an atmospheric brooding piece that haunts with sinister monster-like growls and airy keys. A disturbing sound that ends with a chime followed by a terrifying gasp. Spooooky ....

I think this EP is a real treat with 4 original songs and a tiny journey into the dark world of Negura Bugent. Up next we'll explore Romania's 4 seasons with "N' Crugu Bradului" (From The Deepness Of The Fir Tree Heights) stay tuned ...