NEGURA BUNGET: "...from Transylvanian Forests"
As far as I know Romanian underground is not inundated with Black Metal bands. Various Doom/Gothic bands seem to constitute the majority in those parts (most of them being total shit). Anyhow, their BM scene is not dead at all and NEGURA BUNGET is the most appropriate example of proving it. Take a look at what Negru (drums/percussion) had to say regarding the band's development and their latest album "Maiastru Sfetnic" released via Romanian Bestial recs. (Krasniy)
Greetings. How are things in your parts? Are you in the mood for the interview?
Salut! I think the things look the same around here. We've just come back after some gigs we've done around here, so I think I'm in the mood for something different now!
Please, cite the most important events in NB bio.
I really hate such biographical questions, so I'll make you hate us too, providing you with the official version of our biography� Here it is: Negura Bunget started its Black Metal presence in 1995, as a duo, with Hupogrammos Disciple's on guitars/vocals/keys and Negru on drums. After the first demo "From Transilvanian Forest" (released under the initial name of Wiccan Rede) the band begun its spiritual journey into the world and spirituality of its ancestors with the "Zirnindu-sa" album, released by Bestial Records at the end of 1996. The 8 tracks of the album display nothing but Pure Transilvanian Black Metal. The album was later put on CD by U.S. Breath of Night Records.
In December 1998 Negura Bunget released its second work, the "Sala molksa" mini-album, again on Bestial Records. With the addition of the third member, Spurcatu on guitars/bass, the 4 tracks of "Sala molksa" unveil a much straight-forward music, complex, aggressive, atmospheric, speed� simply: The Transilvanian Spirituality's Music. "Maiastru sfetnic" represents the third opus of Negura Bunget, after the "Zirnindu-sa" and "Sala molksa" albums. Through the 56 minutes, "Maiastru sfetnic" moves you from slow haunting moods, to unleashed speed and power, evil vocal possession, atmospheric local calm and intriguing techniques. Just 6 epic tracks of what can be simply described: Black Metal Art. "Maiastru sfetnic" represents the transilvanian's band vision on how a perfect Black Metal world should have been like. The whole lyrical aspect of "Maiastru sfetnic" can be seen as an universal concept poem-legend envisioning our personal vision upon the prophetical side of the territory known as Transilvania, upon the connection between the Black Metal ideology and the natural spiritual impulse of these lands. Based upon the precedents concepts followed by Negura Bunget, such as The Universal Transcendent Black Metal, Blood, Immortality, Transilvanian Spirituality, "Maiastru sfetnic" moves everything far beyond� more into universality, legend and honour.
The album is available on digipak format, designed and handmade by Negura Bunget, as well as on tape. T-shirt and LS also available.
With more than 60 live appearances by now, Negura Bunget feels ready to unleash the power of its Black Metal promoting the new album and as well as always� The Transilvanian Spirituality.
Your official label Bestial Records claimed they'd pressed 2000 copies of your latest output "Maiastru Sfetnic". How many of them have been distributed so far?
I think they did only 1000. And now, after less than 2 months, they've almost done with all of them. They should print soon a new edition.
"Maiastru Sfetnic" is translated as "Great Majesty". What is this majesty in the band's concept?
That's I'd say a very rough transcription. The concept described by those two words is actually almost impossibly to put in English� Nevertheless, those two words have more like a symbolical value, as they cannot possible offer a clue about what's really inside the album. For that you have to listen to the whole, read everything�
Are you satisfied with the final result achieved on "Maiastru Sfetnic"? I ask this because recently I've heard several negative comments on it from some Romanian fans of yours, who stated that this album is a failure in terms of originality and musical creativity. What is your to this kind of comments?
We're satisfied with what we've done on Maiastru sfetnic. I think on the contrary some are confused about us getting into some more weird unusual atmospheres� But the most see it for what it is, and I think everybody who listen our albums sees the evolution we took with this album�
How was your show in Bucharest a few days ago (March 04, 2001)? I wonder how many shows you'd given since the band's very first days. What crowd do your gigs usually gather? By the way, have you performed abroad of Romania?
Well, that particular gig wasn't too great actually. We've played in a really sordid small club, which was over packed with people; the sound was not so great� Nevertheless, we've done some more gigs since than, and those really turned out fine. I think we can usually gather about 2-300 peoples at our gigs. And that's fine with us!
We did performed abroad of Romania for a couples of times. First time was in Czech Republic in 1999, than in Hungary and than in Serbia. We should also play some more gigs over there in Serbia really soon.
What are the bands you are willing to tour with?
I'd say there are a quite lot of bands we'd tour with if we'd have the chance, but if it would be for me to choose, than I think it would be: Enslaved, Taake and Immortal.
You have a release ("Zimindu-Sa" if I'm not mistaken) on U.S. Breath of Night Records which is owned by the notorious Akhenaten (JUDAS ISCARIOT, SARCOPHAGUS). Please, give us the details of the aforementioned deal. One more thing, is there a chance for "Maiastru Sfetnic" to be re-released on a different label?
Well, it's quite simple actually. Bestial Records initially released only the tape version. Akhenaten listen to it, he enjoyed it, and asked us if we'd be interested in him making a CD version of it. We were of course OK, so Breath Of Night released later the CD.
No, I don't think there's a chance for the new album to be re-released by another label. But than again, who knows�
As far as I remember, Akhenaten traveled to Romania a few years ago. Have you met him? Tell us about this experience if you did.
Yes, we actually met him in Czech Republic at that festival I already mentioned. It was organized by the guys from Avenger, another band he released, so he initially come over there. Afterwards ha reached Romania and we met him over here too. He actually stayed for a couples of days at our home. As for the experience, what can I say, we enjoyed it, got along fine, he played live with us one track on the festival, than some more at our rehearsal place�
How do you evaluate Romania in the context of underground scene and what is your place in it?
I think Romanian underground is a good one. Not great but still decent, with some really interesting presences. It's not so much a Black Metal orientated one, as there are more Gothic/Death bands� As for us, we've been probably the first Romanian Black Metal act, we're for sure the first Romanian Metal band to release a CD�
What does the notion patriotism mean to you and how do you evaluate the current social/political/economical state of Romania?
I'd say patriotism means to really see what your country is, to enjoy and promote its values and fight broking all you can see is going wrong. Isn't that a nice thing I just said?
I think Romania is going through a crisis all since the revolution from '89. I don't think either we'll get over it soon� But as we're a Black Metal band, it would be poor judgment from us to complain about such exterior factors�
What are your musical/non-musical influences? By the way, what genres do you guys prefer besides metal?
Beside the Metal I think we enjoy quite a lot of musics, it depends though, on the moods� But if it is quality music, than you can see and enjoy it.
By my opinion, NB's drumming style is one of the band's strongest elements. It sounds very unorthodox for a Black Metal band. I wonder since when you've been practicing drums and what types of drum-kit do you currently use?
I've been playing drums for about 8 years now� Presently I don't have anything apart some sticks� A couple of time ago I sold everything I had, and now I hope to get as soon as possible a new, much improved kit. I think I know what that shall be, and if I'll be lucky it shall be a double bass, 5 toms, 6 cymbals one� But that's not even close to my dream kit, which could easily feature about 12 cymbals�
You are often characterized as a NS Black Metal band. What is your position on such categorization? Do you support the NS trend?
I don't think Negura Bunget has anything to do with NS. We might have some friends into such matters, but personally� no. I don't have anything against NS, when is done systematically and intelligent, and not like usual, covering with extreme things the inability to play a decent music�
What are the relationships within the band? How long have known each other?
I think we really get along fine in the band right now. We know eachother from about 10 years, and although I couldn't say we're such easy to get along individuals, we did managed to survive tormenting eachother� So the future looks bright on this area�
This one is irrelevant to your activities. However, it still interests me. Romania is craving to join NATO. What is your position on this tendency?
I don't have anything against it. I'm not at all a big NATO fan, but considering the options, this one is by far the most intelligent ones we can do for the moment. Nevertheless, it seems NATO doesn't fully understands what Romania means, and I'd be also interested is showing them once we can stay better on our own. Unfortunately that time hasn't come yet around here. Cause you really need a strong and wise leadership to do it�
Any place for drugs in the lifes of NB musicians?
I think drug can be put to some work in our activities. You can get though it into some different areas, ones you couldn't ascend otherwise. And it is also well know drugs actually sharpen some senses like hearing, when used carefully� But I must say that personally I'm not into such matters�
How do you evaluate statements claiming that Eastern-Europe might become a second Scandinavia for Black Metal real soon? If you ask me, I'll say without any doubts that this process is already taking place.
I think that might really happen. For now ain't just like that, but in the future� There's also a certain East European feeling in Black Metal, one I think might be something very important in the future, if put to good use�
Reveal your creative plans for 2001.
I think we'll do just some more gigs this year, and also carefully prepare the next album, which I don't think we'll release sooner than the beginning of the next year�
Have you got anything to add to this interview? Any last words, invocations?
Thanks for the support, stay black� and may the ZSALAMOLKXISA lead your path�
NEGURA BUNGET Official Homepage
Interview taken by Krasniy
Back