Balfor Ukraine

"I know that polished production is very much a lynching reason in some black metal circles, but nonetheless Balfor, who - despite this being their debut album - have been active in the underground since the late 90s and can claim black metal authenticity, have chosen to go with a very polished, clean and defined production rather than the raw reverb-ladden productions that typically characterize a lot of black metal.

Personally, I don't mind the polished production, because it allows me to hear all the details and good ideas that are found on this album. The style is quasi-technical with a lot of changes and a considerable amount of riffs in each song, and since Balfor seem to seek inspiration beyond the confines of black metal, there are death-y and thrashy riffs to be heard on this album, too.

The core style, I think, is still black metal, as there are several black metal elements, too, such as the many triple-metered blastbeats accompanied by more atmospheric style riffage that this release contains. Of course, the polished, virtually reverb-free, production takes away the atmospheric dimension from this release perhaps rendering this type of riffage slightly weak.

I can live without the lo-tech production, though, and I appreciate the variation that characterizes this album.

(review originally posted on metalmusicarchives.com)"