Bal-Sagoth
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Bal-Sagoth are a symphonic extreme metal/black metal band from Yorkshire, England. Originally formed as a death metal band, the band took the name 'Bal-Sagoth' from the Robert E. Howard short story "The Gods of Bal-Sagoth". Their first demo was released in 1993, and Bal-Sagoth have since released three albums on Cacophonous, and three with Nuclear Blast.
History
Early Days
Bal-Sagoth was conceived in 1989 by Byron Roberts, in an attempt to form what he called "A sublimely symphonic black/death metal band swathed in a concept of dark fantasy/science-fiction and ancient myth & legendary." Inspired by such writers as Robert E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft, and Edgar Rice Burroughs, Byron set out to create his own dark fantasy universe, with tales told through music. In 1993, Byron joined forces with brothers Chris and Jonny Maudling, forming what would become the writing core of the band. With Chris on guitar, and Jonny on drums, the band enlisted bassist Jason Porter and keyboardist Vincent Crabtree, and recorded their first demo in late 1993. More of a straight ahead death metal effort with symphonic elements, the demo attracted the attention of Cacophonous Records, who signed the band to a three album deal.
The band entered Academy Studios in June of 1994 and recorded their debut album, A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria, in just two weeks. Due to label problems, the album was shelved for nearly a year, finally seeing the light of day in 1995. The album stands as the band's heaviest release, relying on more traditional black metal/death metal ideas, and less symphonic elements. The vocal style of "Lord Byron" is also different from later efforts, using more traditional death metal and black metal grunts.
Starfire Burning...
In 1996, Bal-Sagoth released Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule, again recorded at Academy Studios in England. The album marked a key shift in the band's sound, now focusing more on the composition and arrangement skills of drummer (and studio keyboard player) Jonny Maudling, as well as the "storytelling" aspect of Byron's spoken-word vocals. Through keyboards, the band incorporated a symphony orchestra as an equal fifth instrument, along with guitar, bass, drums and vocals. Considered by some to be the first "true" Bal-Sagoth album, this new sound would be expanded and explored on all four of the band's later efforts.Joined by touring keyboardist Leon Forrest and bassist Alistair MacLatchy, Bal-Sagoth teamed up with Dark Funeral and Ancient in March of 1997 for the "Starfire Engulfs Europe Tour", a 23 date trek through Europe, followed by the second leg in October of 1997 with the legendary black metal band Emperor and Nocturnal Breed.
Battle Magic
Bal-Sagoth spent much of 1997 writing and recording what would become the acclaimed album Battle Magic. Again recorded at Academy Studios in England, this time the band were afforded a full month to record the album. The keyboard arrangements for the song "Circus Maximus" were so complex that they took 6 full days to complete. Furthering the concept of epic storytelling coupled with grandiose symphonic elements, razor sharp guitars, and furious drumming, the album stands as a symphonic metal masterpiece. Released in March of 1998, Battle Magic caught the attention of Nuclear Blast records, who signed Bal-Sagoth to a multi- album deal with worldwide distribution (a first for the band).Rather than tour in support of Battle Magic, the band opted to immediately focus on the writing and recording their Nuclear Blast debut. Frustrated with fill-in tour keyboard players, Jonny Maudling decided to focus full time on composition and live keyboards in 1999, handing drum duties over to Dave Mackintosh (later of DragonForce).
Nuclear Blast era
In 1999, Bal-Sagoth released their first album with Nuclear Blast, The Power Cosmic. Focusing on an intergalactic tale of war, cosmic empires, and celestial gods, the album pushed the band to new heights both artistically, and in popularity. After the release of The Power Cosmic, the band again disappeared, playing no shows until the release of 2001's Atlantis Ascendant.
The band resurfaced as a live act in late 2001, headlining "The Fifth Cataclysm Devours Europe: Phase 1", with Mortician, Sinister, Vader, Amon Amarth, Marduk, God Dethroned, ...and Oceans, and Mystic Circle. Later in 2002, the band played the Bloodstock festival, which was followed by a short tour with Sabbat in the United Kingdom. In 2004, Dave Macintosh left the band and joined Dragonforce. He was replaced by drummer Dan Mullins, who made his debut with Bal-Sagoth at Wacken 2004.
In March 2006, Bal-Sagoth released their long awaited sixth album, The Chthonic Chronicles on Nuclear Blast records. Written and recorded entirely at Jonny Maudling's Waylands Forge Studios, the album was the band's first in five years, and is rumoured to be the band's last album.
Mythology
The Multiverse
The Multiverse, sometimes also called the "Sagothverse" or the Antediluvian World (though this can be misleading, since only certain eras of the Multiverse could be called "antediluvian"), is the alternate reality that Bal-Sagoth's lyrics are set in. Based on ideas similar in concept to H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and especially Robert E. Howard, the Multiverse is mostly past tense, wherein Byron describes ancient events that have already transpired. Worldwide floods, pan-galactic wars, rogue demigods, ancient empires and kingdoms, and sinistrous artifacts compose this alternate history of the earth. Mythical places such as Atlantis, Hyperborea, Ultima Thule, Ys, Lemuria, and Albion feature prominently.Legends of Bal-Sagoth
- The Splendour of a Thousand Swords Gleaming Beneath the Blazon of the Hyperborean Empire - A three part saga wherein one of the Kings of Hyperborea is forced to meet the forces of Angsaar at the Shrine of A'zura-Kai, where they battle for control of the powerful Crystal of Mera. The King wields the powerful Shadow Sword, which was used long before by the Immortal of Ultima Thule in a battle to defeat Angsaar during first rise to power. Featured on the albums Starfire Burning...(Pt. I), Battle Magic(Pt. II), and Atlantis Ascendant (Pt. III).
- The Obsidian Crown Saga - The tale of the warring kingdoms of Vyrgothia and The Imperium. The Imperium invades Vyrgothia, besieging Gul-Kothoth, but the Over-King of Vyrgothia unleashes the dread Obsidian Crown, which contains arcane power and was once wielded by the Shadow King, one of the most powerful of the Serpent Kings. Featured on the albums Starfire Burning... and The Chthonic Chronicles.
- The Quest of Zurra for the Empyreal Lexicon - The galactic tale of Zurra, a rogue demigod who is released from his imprisonment beneath the Mare Imbrium, as he searches for the pieces of the powerful Empyreal Lexicon. He travels to Callisto, the Z'xulth, and finally ancient Mu, but is thwarted by his half-brother Zuranthus and The Prime Voyager. Featured on The Power Cosmic.
- The Guardians of the Astral Gate - These sidereal sentinels are the eternal keepers of the portal between the Z'xulth and the terran dimensions. Headed by Xuk'ul, this group of demigods is constantly summoned by aspiring powers in various attempts as gaining power or knowledge. Their ruthlessness when dealing with these whelps is unrivaled. Other guardians include Kur'oc, Gul-Kor (these two guardians are the most popular, as they are summoned more than any other guardians), and Ka-Kur-Ra. Featured on the albums Starfire Burning..., Battle Magic, The Power Cosmic, Atlantis Ascendant, and The Chthonic Chronicles.
Trivia
- Keyboard player/composer/drummer Jonny Maudling, along with a team of composers (including Mirai Kawashima from Japanese avantgarde metal band Sigh), created the music for the upcoming "Massive Multi-Player Online Role Playing Game", or MMORPG Adellion.
- Vocalist 'Lord Byron' has, since August 1997 been the only metal vocalist to be sponsored by an arms and armour supplier, Battle Orders Ltd., who supply him with swords and other reenactment materials in exchange for his promotion of the company.
- The Intro to their demo is a sample from the cult movie Masters of the Universe. The song "By the Blaze of the Fire Jewels", which is on the demo, and was later reworked and renamed "Shadows 'Neath the Black Pyramid", gets its name from a chapter of the Conan the Barbarian story Red Nails.
- "Hatheg-Kla"; the introduction song on their first album, and "Return to Hatheg-Kla"; the outro song on The Chthonic Chronicles, get their names from the H.P. Lovecraft mythos, where Hatheg-Kla is a mountain that the gods visit.
Members
Current members
- Byron Roberts ‘Lord Byron’ – Vocals
- Jonny Maudling – Keyboards
- Chris Maudling – Guitar
- Dan Mullins – Drums
- Mark Greenwell – Bass
Former members
- Jason Porter – Live Bass
- Vincent Crabtree – Live Keyboards
- Leon Forrest – Live Keyboards
- Alistair MacLatchy – Live Bass
- Dave Mackintosh – Drums (left for DragonForce)
Discography
External links
- [Official Bal-Sagoth website] — Contains an extensive glossary of fantasy terms used in their lyrics.
- [Jonny Maudling's Official Site] Information on Waylands Forge Studios, Jonny's recording stuido
- [The legions of the black moon fan site] — Contains sound clips
- [The Hyperborean Empire] — Contains live video, sound files, fan art, full lyrics, and a full biography.
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