BALFOR was formed in November 1997 in a small town in eastern Ukraine as a side project of Thorgeir Berserk - vocal/bass/guitar and Svart – guitars, to play fast but melodic black metal. In late 1998 BALFOR recruited Hvedrung (guitars) and Holmgang (drums) into their ranks to record the first demo “Drevnost’, Gordost’, Proklyatie” containing four tracks: “Bitva Pri Klontarfe”, “Ludi Sval’be Fiorda”, “Grom” and the ENSLAVED cover “Fenris”. Unfortunately this demo was never released because of the poor quality of the recording.
Due to the pressure of work with their own band DIP IN FEEL, Svart and Holmgang could only rehearse a year later and BALFOR played a few gigs in the second half of 2000. It strengthened the horde’s standing in the Ukrainian underground, but because of internal conflicts Hvedrung left the band and February 2001 saw the departure of Holmgang to concentrate on his own project. Thorgeir Berserk and Svart started to compose songs for the first album and having completed enough material began work on it with Ragnwild (guitars) and Muspell (drums). At the end of 2001 all the songs were ready and BALFOR entered the StormWaves Studio. Muspell, however, decided to leave and the band brought in session drummer Alex “Silver” (Mental Demise). By March 2002 all six tracks of the first LP “Volki Severa” were recorded: “Smert’ Lodbroka”, “Ragnarok”, Otec Pobed, Bitva Pri Klontarfe, Jarost’ Nomannov and Proricanie Vel’vi. Within a few months it was released as a limited edition by local label Thunderclaps Records. In September of the same year Svart moved to the other side of the country and was unable to continue, and Thorgeir B. decided to concentrate on his main project.
Three years later inspired, by flattering reviews of the LP “Volki Severa”, Th.B. decided to quit his previous band and revive BALFOR. He was joined by Erland on drums and Berowar on bass in November 2005. That same month was also marked by the re-release of the first album on E.O.L.P. Prods. December 2005 saw the horde headline at the Sumy Rock Festival, after which they started playing more gigs and preparing new material. In April 2006 BALFOR co-headlined at the Dragon Festival with TESSARACT and IDOL.
BALFOR entered the Beasts Studio in May 2006 where the material for the new promo “Pure Barbaric” was recorded. The Four tracks - “Shadow of My Raven Wings”, “Light’s Demise”, “In a Thunder of Ancient Glory” and “Pure Barbaric” were recorded in four days. In June the horde participated in Armageddon Metal Fest with HIERONYMUS BOSCH and REST IN PAIN and in July headlined at the Pagan Fest. BALFOR later accepted the invitation from “Metal Heads Mission”, the biggest Ukrainian open air metal festival, where in August 2006 the horde played on the final day with TIAMAT, HOLY MOSES, DEFORMED, SICKBAG, MENTAL DEMISE and DEAD INFECTION. In October 2006 the horde took part in the Metal Apocalypse Extreme Fest with MUCOPUS, DATURA and ANAL NOSOROG, and in March 2007 BALFOR played two gigs supporting the German folk melodic death metal band SuidAkrA.
BALFOR are now concentrating on preparations for the new album, and are planning an extensive European tour in 2008.
Источник: lastfm.ru
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