March 13, 2010

Reviewer: Matt

Maiestrit is Negura Bunget’s “reinterpretation” of their second full-length, 2000’s Maiastru Sfetnic.  This is regrettably the last material from Negura Bunget’s classic lineup of Hupogrammos, Sol Faur, and Negru, as after its recording Negura Bunget dissolved, only to be reformed by Negru (reportedly contrary an agreement between the band members that the name would not be used) into a band that it’s safe to assume will be markedly different from Hupogrammos’s brainchild. 

Maiastru Sfetnic is one of the strongest albums in their discography, so I’m not entirely convinced after hearing Maiestrit that this reinterpretation was necessary.  On the bright side this re-recording doesn’t come off as offensive like Dimmu Borgir’s 2005 Stormblåst or totally pointless like Exodus’s Let There Be Blood.  But aside from a more modern production, occasionally more angular rhythms reflecting their progressive metal inclinations, and the two “acoustic” (curiously so named despite the abundance of electric guitars throughout) renditions of album tracks tacked on to make an already long album an outright marathon, there’s little difference between the two versions.  If anything, Maiestrit is an opportunity for fans who have had trouble tracking down a copy of the original version to hear a solid progressive black metal album.

And that’s what Maiestrit is: a highly enjoyable album from master aestheticians and adventurous songwriters.  Negura Bunget’s last full length Om was widely acclaimed by critics and resonated strongly with fans for it’s haunting, transcendent atmosphere and sprawling, epic composition.  It’s unfortunate that Negura Bunget went out at their peak, but Maiestrit with its dense arrangement and sparkling production sounds remarkably like a successor-in-style to Om and will probably satisfy even fans who already own the original version.  Listeners who haven’t yet heard Negura Bunget would be well advised to check out their entire catalogue, and Maiestrit is as good of a place to start as any.

Release Date: March 15th, 2010
Label: Lupus Lounge/Prophecy

TRACK LISTING

1.  Vremea Locului Sortit
2.  În-Zvîcnirea Apusului
3.  A-Vînt în Abis
4.  Al Locului
5.  Bruiestru
6.  Plecaciunea Mortii
7.  A-Vînt în Abis (Acoustic Version)
8.  Plecaciunea Mortii (Acoustic Version)

Total playing time:  1:15:25

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Negura Bunget - Maiestrit