Balfor’s “Pure Barbaric” demo was released in 2006 and, since then, I have been waiting patiently for its follow up. When I first heard that demo, I was certain that Balfor were set to become one of my favourite bands and after I heard “The Perfect Fire” (which was made available shortly after [...]]]>

Balfor’s “Pure Barbaric” demo was released in 2006 and, since then, I have been waiting patiently for its follow up. When I first heard that demo, I was certain that Balfor were set to become one of my favourite bands and after I heard “The Perfect Fire” (which was made available shortly after the demo), that thought was confirmed even more. However, the music world is ever-changing and (almost) four years is a long time to wait with only 5 tracks to remind you of the band. It’s a true testament to the band’s abilities and to the quality of the music itself, that I kept returning to those tracks time and time again during those four years.

Anyway, it would seem that now the wait is finally over and the release date for “Barbaric Blood”, Balfor’s debut full-length, is lurking ominously on the horizon. For me, I feel like xmas and my birthday have come early, as I have managed to acquire an advanced copy for reviewing purposes… and, to say that I have been looking forward to this album is an understatement. “What’s it like, Lou? Tell us!” I hear you cry… So it’s on with the review…

The weather has turned a little colder recently (don’t worry, I am going somewhere with this!) and I chose to give “Barbaric Blood” its first listen during one particularly chilly walk home from work. Since we’ve messed around with the clocks (did we go forward or back? I still don’t know… it always confuses me ) it means that I was able to take in the sunset during this walk home… and “Barbaric Blood” provided a very fitting soundtrack to this journey. Thorgeir’s harsh vocals reflected the fact that winter is, most definitely, on its way, the melodies reflected the beauty of the sunset and my thoughts drifted through images of epic, heroic and barbaric battles – instead of the usual “What am I going to have for dinner tonight?” or “I need to do this at work tomorrow…” kinda thoughts that normally haunt my brain on my way home from work.

The album as a whole has a very epic and magnificent feel. It’s a big beastie that point blank refuses to be background music and Balfor’s brand of melodic Black Metal (with touches of Death Metal) is addictive to the extreme.

There is one point, however, that bugs me. I just can’t decide if the inclusion of “The Perfect Fire” and the tracks from “Pure Barbaric” (“Shadow of My Raven Wings”, “In A Thunder of Ancient Glory”, “Pure Barbaric” and “Light’s Demise”) is a good or bad thing. On the negative side, it does mean that if you’re already familiar with the “Pure Barbaric” demo and “The Perfect Fire”, then you’ll only be getting 4 new tracks on this record. But, if this is your first venture into the world of Balfor, this won’t bother you at all. Also, having those tracks on the album is a bit like catching up with some old friends – it was oddly comforting to know that they were there. With all of that said, the four new tracks are fantastic additions to the band’s arsenal and continue to achieve the high standard of quality that I have already come to expect from Balfor.

Personally, I can’t wait to hear this stuff live – the campaign to get Balfor over to England starts now!

Rating: 95%

myspace.com/balforhorde

“Barbaric Blood”, the debut album from Ukrainian barbaric Black Metal masters Balfor, is now available for pre-order through Pulverised Records.

Ukrainian Black Metal darklords BALFOR embodies a display of dazzling musicianship and powerhouse production with their maiden-masterpiece “Barbaric Blood”. Delving deep into the realms of coherent Death and Thrash influences, “Barbaric Blood” develops [...]]]>

“Barbaric Blood”, the debut album from Ukrainian barbaric Black Metal masters Balfor, is now available for pre-order through Pulverised Records.

Ukrainian Black Metal darklords BALFOR embodies a display of dazzling musicianship and powerhouse production with their maiden-masterpiece “Barbaric Blood”. Delving deep into the realms of coherent Death and Thrash influences, “Barbaric Blood” develops into an overall forlorn Black-drenched atmosphere and the brilliant orchestration of every track on the album is clearly evident that BALFOR are pure masters of their craft and the undying funeral fire is born again with barbaric hate!

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Blacklight Studio (Semargl, Khors, Deferum Sacrum, etc), with the captivating album artwork and layout by Martin Saavedra at Uruguay’s Spina Studio (Aborted, Daath, Divinity, etc).

TRACK LISTING:
1. From The Ashes (…The Beginning)
2. Behold My Hate!
3. Shadow Of My Raven Wings
4. In A Thunder Of Ancient Glory
5. Pure Barbaric
6. Light’s Demise
7. Kingdom’s Blood
8. Voices Of Wilderness
9. The Perfect Fire

The album is available for pre-order from this location.

myspace.com/balforhorde

Ukraine Black Metallers BALFOR has recently released the finalised artwork cover and album tracklisting of the group’s debut effort entitled “Barbaric Blood”.

The brooding yet introspect artwork cover and layout for “Barbaric Blood” was designed by Martin Saavedra at Uruguay’s Spina Studio (Aborted, Daath, Divinity, etc).

The tracklisting for “Barbaric Blood” [...]]]>

Ukraine Black Metallers BALFOR has recently released the finalised artwork cover and album tracklisting of the group’s debut effort entitled “Barbaric Blood”.

The brooding yet introspect artwork cover and layout for “Barbaric Blood” was designed by Martin Saavedra at Uruguay’s Spina Studio (Aborted, Daath, Divinity, etc).

The tracklisting for “Barbaric Blood” is as follows:

1) From The Ashes (…The Beginning)
2) Behold My Hate!
3) Shadow Of My Raven Wings
4) In A Thunder Of Ancient Glory
5) Pure Barbaric
6) Light’s Demise
7) Kingdom’s Blood Voices Of Wilderness
9) The Perfect Fire

States BALFOR frontman / guitarist Thorgeir:

It’s always a long journey making an album, first it has to be written and rehearsed. Then it has to be recorded and mastered, and that’s where most people think it ends. But it doesn’t, quite end there. An important factor that everyone forgets about is the artwork, and yet this is often what people notice first. So we are particularly pleased that the artwork for “Barbaric Blood” has been so well executed by Martin of Spina Studio. He has captured both the concept behind the album, and the band itself.

“Barbaric Blood” was recorded at Blacklight Studio, Ukraine during August 2009, with the effort mixed and mastered by Shaddar.
A further update on the official street release date for “Barbaric Blood” will be announced soon.

BALFOR is:

Thorgeir – Vocals / Guitars
Dragon-T – Lead Guitars
Berowar – Bass
Erland – Drums

balfor.info
myspace.com/balforhorde

Ukrainian Black Metallers BALFOR, whose new album “Barbaric Blood” is due out on Pulverised Records during 2010, issued a statement announcing that guitarist Agnarr has been forced to quit the band following a recent injury that is serious enough to stop the guitarist performing both live and in the studio.

BALFOR founder [...]]]>

Ukrainian Black Metallers BALFOR, whose new album “Barbaric Blood” is due out on Pulverised Records during 2010, issued a statement announcing that guitarist Agnarr has been forced to quit the band following a recent injury that is serious enough to stop the guitarist performing both live and in the studio.

BALFOR founder and front man Thorgeir commented:

“We are very sorry that this has happened to Agnarr. It’s a terrible thing when a musician is no longer able to play, and he is one of those musicians with a natural talent and a lot of experience. We hope that he will be able to overcome the effects of the injury and eventually be able to return to playing. BALFOR is certainly going to miss both his musicianship and his companionship”.

Dragon-T, former guitarist with the Thrash Metal band Hell:On, will replace Agnarr.

“Once again we have been lucky in our search for a guitarist. Dragon-T is as skilled as Agnarr, both live and when it comes to recording, and the fact that he was available just when we needed him was a stroke of good fortune for us. His first live appearance with BALFOR will be at the Metal Heads Mission Festival in Kiev on the 18th April, where BALFOR are due to headline.”

Upcoming live dates for BALFOR are as follows:

18 April – MHM, Sky Hall Club, Kiev, UA
22 May – Hot Jam Club, Lugansk, UA
23 May – Vorovskogo Club, Dimitroy, UA
06 July – Rockmaraton Festival, Pecs, HU

More information about BALFOR can be found on the band’s MySpace page.

Watch the fan-filmed footage of BALFOR performing “The Perfect Fire” at the Metal Heads Mission Festival with new replacement guitarist Dragon-T here:

BALFOR is:
Thorgeir – Vocals / Guitars
Agnarr – Lead Guitars
Berowar – Bass
Erland – Drums

BALFOR Official Website
BALFOR Official Myspace