Our first album, Zîrnindu-să, was also released at the end of the same year [1996], by Bestial Records which, back then, was the only underground label in Romania. Moreover, we could even say that the label itself was founded specially for the release. I consider that we had a successful cooperation with Bestial Records: they helped us, and we helped them in our turn so everyone was satisfied with it.
Shortly after the release of the album by Bestial Records (it was initially released on tape because at that point no Romanian Metal band had its album released on CD), we were contacted by the US label Breath of Night, which was interested in releasing our debut album on CD format. Of course, we couldn't agree more. This was one of the most important steps from the very beginning of being listened to by larger audiences, especially by listeners from outside Romania. In spite of the short-term collaboration, the Breath of Night experience proved very helpful for us, and we are still thankful for everything they did for us.
- Negru / Negura Bunget interview, Om DVD interview, 2006
Originally released by Bestial Records this month in 1996, Zîrnindu-să was NEGURĂ BUNGET's debut album. One of the first releases by the cassette label. It was limited, though we were distributing copies well into the mid 2000's, so I would assume a decent number printed.
Akhenaten's (JUDAS ISCARIOT) Breath of Night Records released the CD version in 1998.
At the time of this album NEGURĂ BUNGET was a duo:
Hupogrammos (Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards on Zîrnindu-să) formed DORDEDUH in 2009.
Negru (Gabriel Mafa) (drums on Zîrnindu-să) continued with the name NEGURA BUNGET. Gabriel passed away earlier this year.
Negurã Bunget is a black fog coming from a deep dark dense forest. The name tries to picture somehow the kind of atmosphere, both musical and spiritual we'd want to create through our music. It has also a symbolical nature, standing for the inexpressible parts of our ideology. The two words are also from the Tracic substrate of the Romanian language (the oldest one, containing about 90 words) as the interest for our local history and spirituality is something of crucial importance and meanings for us as a band.
Zirnindu-sa is from Ancient Romanian meaning something like turning to black, dying...
- Negru / Negura Bunget interview, Maelstrom, 2002