Let’s get one thing out of the way – when traditional or folk music meets heavy metal in all its guises, there are acres of ground between those that wear their plaid trousers with a misguided sense of pride and those that simply dye them pitch black. If I never see another plastic sword at a gig it will be too soon but I am a sucker for traditional and folk influences that when channelled with inspiration can rise exponentially beyond the sum of the parts. Negura Bunget, whose members are responsible for Din Brad, undoubtedly belongs to the latter. They drift far far away from any instantly recognisable associations with folk. So it was a little surprising at first to discover that their Dor is such an out-and-out homage to the voices of the Romanian hinterlands. These tracks, or more specifically the voices therein, are unarguably captivating. They contribute to a collection of laments and dirges that brings with it surprises and what feels like a link to a time and a place via Negru, Negura Bunget’s percussionist, whose influence is most immediately felt, and his comrades.

The bewitching effect of both the flatter male singing and soaring female vocals probably wouldn’t do it for the average metal fan, even for many fans of Negura Bunget. But it left me as intrigued as I ever am when I stumble across something new that feels, at least in parts, like it might have just knocked open a creaking door I’d previously ignored. But the structure is split between snap shots of melodies rather than producing the ‘soundscapes’ promised on the bands web site. At times it felt a little stilted between the clipped authentic singing that has apparently been dug out of somewhere in the back of the wilderness before cutting to the ethereal studio production of what is described as the bands own interpretation of their studies into their country’s musical culture. All well and good but I couldn’t shake the feeling that perhaps what’s on offer here could have been achieved in five or six tracks rather than eleven and the road into the wilderness could have continued on to parts unknown.

I’d say full credit for trying to entice us all a little further into the Carpathians. But we’re all big boys now and I wonder whether Dor stopped at the foothills rather than tackling some of those dark and misty peaks.

(6/10 Reverend Darkstanley)

http://www.dinbrad.com