Dit Tranendal verlaten

If you discovered Borgazur from their latest progressive black metal outing "2P3...", prepare yourself for a shock. Borgazur's first release is nothing at all like the schizophrenic, manic blasting of "2P3..." - rather, it hearkens more back to the sound of Verdelger (one of the member's former band). But that's not saying this disc is actually comprised of skull-smashing, battle-hardened hymns of savagery like Verdelger - no, this stuff is very mediocre at best.

Eschewing the raw and live production of Verdelger and softening it to death, Borgazur here sound very dull. The music is done well enough in terms of structuring and riffs, but the production is absolutely flat. Vocals are also very typical of the genre, and lack the throat-shredding ferocity of the Verdelger days, or of Kildrith on Borgazur's newest release. Just standard riffs, standard raspy vocals, standard everything. The only thing that really stands out to me is the bizarre jazz-like piano of "Weemoed Der Oude Tijden", which sounds about as out of place on here as a Cradle of Filth fan at a Watain concert. Elements of the band's future sound rear their heads here and there, but overall, the disc just falls limp in its sound.

I'd recommend this one only for Borgazur fans who wish to explore the band's past out of curiosity.