UMUR
"Balvaz" is an eponymously titled EP release by Norwegian death metal act Balvaz. The EP was released through Virulence Records in January 1991 and it´s the last release by the band before disbanding in late 1991. Balvaz formed in 1987 under the Braindead monicker, and released the "Balvaz" rehearsal demo in 1988 before changing their name to Balvaz. They released two demos under the Balvaz monicker and this EP. After Balvaz disbanded in late 1991, guitarist/vocalist Lasse Johansen would form Disgusting and continue what he started with Braindead/Balvaz.
The EP features four tracks and a total playing time of 13:36 minutes. All four tracks are re-recordings of tracks which originally appeared on the July 1990 "Phlegm" demo. The only track from the demo which hasn´t been re-recorded and included on this EP is "Freak".
The sound production is just slightly more clear than what was the case on earlier versions of the tracks, but it´s details, because the EP still features a raw, noisy, and unpolished sounding production job. Stylistically Balvaz sound like they´ve done since the Braindead days. Raw, aggressive, and morbid sounding old school death metal with both blasting, heavy mid-paced, and slow doomy sections. The vocals haven´t changed either and they are still raw screaming snarling. They are quite unique and intense. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.