Bal-Sagoth
Encyclopedia
Bal-Sagoth is a symphonic black metal
band from Yorkshire
, England, formed in 1993.
Originally formed as an epic/symphonic black metal
band with strong death metal
elements, vocalist/lyricist Byron Roberts
took the name 'Bal-Sagoth' from the Robert E. Howard
short story
"The Gods of Bal-Sagoth". Their first demo was recorded in 1993, and Bal-Sagoth have since released three albums on Cacophonous Records, and three with Nuclear Blast
.
, 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 myths & legends." Inspired by such writers and artists as Robert E. Howard
, H. P. Lovecraft
, Clark Ashton Smith
, Edgar Rice Burroughs
, J.R.R Tolkien and Jack Kirby
, Byron set out to create his own dark fantasy universe, with tales told through epic lyrics and music. After several unsuccessful attempts to launch the project, Byron was introduced to the brothers Chris and Jonny Maudling
in 1993, who were also looking to form a serious band. This formed what would become the writing core of the outfit. After several months of rehearsing, and following a line up reshuffle which saw the departure of lead guitarist Alistair MacLatchy, the band recorded their first demo in late 1993. The band roster at this point conisited of Byron Roberts on vocals, Chris Maudling on guitar, Jonny Maudling on drums, Jason Porter on bass and Vincent Crabtree on keyboards. 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.
in June 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 showcased more traditional black metal
/death metal
ideas, and fewer symphonic elements. The vocal style of Byron Roberts
is also slightly different from later efforts, using more traditional death metal
and black metal grunts, as well as the spoken narrative passages which would become more prevalent on subsequent albums.
, again recorded at Academy Music Studio
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 Roberts
's spoken-word vocals. Through keyboards, the band incorporated a virtual symphony orchestra as an equal fifth instrument, along with guitar, bass, drums and vocals. 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, who had in fact been an original member of the band in its very earliest incarnation, Bal-Sagoth teamed up with Dark Funeral
and Ancient
in March 1997 for the "Starfire Engulfs Europe Tour" (AKA the "Satanic War Tour II"), a 23-date trek through Europe, followed by the second leg in October 1997 with the black metal
band Emperor
and thrash metal outfit Nocturnal Breed
.
. Again recorded at Academy Music Studio
in England, this time the band were afforded nearly a full month to record the album. Released in March 1998, Battle Magic caught the attention of Nuclear Blast
records, who subsequently signed Bal-Sagoth to a three 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 of 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
).
. 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 2001, embarking on "The Fifth Cataclysm Devours Europe: Phase 1" tour (AKA: No Mercy festival tour) with Mortician
, Sinister
, Vader
, Amon Amarth
, Marduk
, God Dethroned
, ...and Oceans
, and Mystic Circle
. Shortly after this, they embarked upon another European tour with Marduk. Later in 2002, the band played the Bloodstock
indoor festival, which was followed by a short tour with Return to the Sabbat in the United Kingdom
. In 2004, Dave Mackintosh left the band and joined DragonForce
. He was replaced by Dan Mullins
(the current drummer of My Dying Bride
), who made his debut with Bal-Sagoth at Wacken Open Air
2004.
In March 2006, Bal-Sagoth released their long awaited sixth album, The Chthonic Chronicles
on Nuclear Blast
records. The music was recorded entirely at Jonny Maudling
's Waylands Forge Studios
, while the vocals were recorded once again at the famed Academy Music Studio
. The album was the band's first in five years, and is rumoured to be their last. Shortly after its release the band recruited a new drummer, Paul "Wak" Jackson, who also plays drums for Dyscaphia (formerly known as "Extreme Maggot Infestation").
In the summer of 2006, Bal-Sagoth played the Bloodstock Open Air
festival, and in January 2007 they made their first trip to the USA to headline the "Heathen Crusade II" festival in St. Paul, Minnesota
. In January 2008, they journeyed to Finland
to headline shows in Helsinki and Turku, supported by Finnish band Battlelore
, and in November 2008 they played the Screamfest festival in Oslo, Norway
. In May 2009, the band played two shows in Lisbon and Porto, Portugal
. In January 2010, Mark Greenwell left the band to be replaced by previous bassist Alistair MacLatchy, and in March 2010, Bal-Sagoth returned to Finland to play a show in Helsinki with fellow English band Skyclad
. On August 14, 2010, Bal-Sagoth performed at the Brutal Assault
festival in the Czech Republic
. On March 5, 2011, the band played a headlining show the Graffiti Club in Bern, Switzerland
.
According to Byron's blog, there is the possibility of another album potentially dealing with such topics as the "2012 Apocalypse", perhaps to be released at the time, although he also says that the material would have to be "by far the best material that the band had ever produced", and that no decision about subsequent albums has yet been taken. They also announced on their Facebook page that they are planning a limited edition CD re-release of their demo, previously only released in very limited numbers via cassette tape. In October 2011 it was confirmed that the band would reissue their whole second trilogy, consisting of The Power Cosmic, Atlantis Ascendant and The Chthonic Chronicles as limited edition digipacks with expanded lyric booklets. These remastered editions will be released through Nuclear Blast's affiliate label Metal Mind Productions on November 14th 2011 in Europe and January 10th 2012 in USA.
are set. 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 Roberts describes ancient events that have already transpired. Worldwide floods, pan-galactic wars, rogue demigods, ancient empires and kingdoms, and sinister artifacts compose this alternate history of the earth. Mythical places such as Atlantis
, Hyperborea, Ultima Thule, Ys
, Mu
and Lemuria
feature prominently in the band's Antediluvian World. Additionally, many of the lyrics are set within the framework of recognizable history, with a cast of characters including historical barbarians, gladiators, corsairs and privateers, archaeologists and occult investigators whose exploits take place during recorded history from Roman times through the age of Reason, the late 19th century and early 20th century. Along with Byron's other, more science fiction oriented lyrics detailing a far future era of galactic struggle and interstellar war, the Bal-Sagoth lyrics span countless aeons and are truly epic in scope.
Many of Byron's lyrical stories are soon to be expanded into short stories and graphic novels (written by Byron and illustrated by fantasy artist Martin Hanford), and the forthcoming expanded Glossary, which will be an extended version of the glossary previously posted to the band's website, will be the definitive A-Z of all the characters and events of the vast lyrical universe.
Symphonic black metal
Symphonic black metal is a black metal subgenre that emerged in the mid to late 1990s. The genre is known for its symphonic and orchestral elements and is centralized in Europe.-Characteristics:...
band from Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, England, formed in 1993.
Originally formed as an epic/symphonic black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
band with strong death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
elements, vocalist/lyricist Byron Roberts
Byron Roberts
Byron Roberts, also known as Byron A. Roberts, is the vocalist/lyricist and founder of the British symphonic extreme metal band Bal-Sagoth.Originally hailing from Yorkshire, England, and also holding full Canadian citizenship, due to many years spent living in Ontario and Quebec, Roberts graduated...
took the name 'Bal-Sagoth' from the Robert E. Howard
Robert E. Howard
Robert Ervin Howard was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. Best known for his character Conan the Barbarian, he is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre....
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
"The Gods of Bal-Sagoth". Their first demo was recorded in 1993, and Bal-Sagoth have since released three albums on Cacophonous Records, and three with Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
.
Early days (1989-1993)
Bal-Sagoth was conceived in 1989 by Byron RobertsByron Roberts
Byron Roberts, also known as Byron A. Roberts, is the vocalist/lyricist and founder of the British symphonic extreme metal band Bal-Sagoth.Originally hailing from Yorkshire, England, and also holding full Canadian citizenship, due to many years spent living in Ontario and Quebec, Roberts graduated...
, in an attempt to form what he called "A sublimely symphonic black
Symphonic black metal
Symphonic black metal is a black metal subgenre that emerged in the mid to late 1990s. The genre is known for its symphonic and orchestral elements and is centralized in Europe.-Characteristics:...
/death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
band swathed in a concept of dark fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
/science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and ancient myths & legends." Inspired by such writers and artists as Robert E. Howard
Robert E. Howard
Robert Ervin Howard was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. Best known for his character Conan the Barbarian, he is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre....
, H. P. Lovecraft
H. P. Lovecraft
Howard Phillips Lovecraft --often credited as H.P. Lovecraft — was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction, especially the subgenre known as weird fiction....
, Clark Ashton Smith
Clark Ashton Smith
Clark Ashton Smith was a self-educated American poet, sculptor, painter and author of fantasy, horror and science fiction short stories. He achieved early local recognition, largely through the enthusiasm of George Sterling, for traditional verse in the vein of Swinburne...
, Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic Mars adventurer John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.-Biography:...
, J.R.R Tolkien and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
, Byron set out to create his own dark fantasy universe, with tales told through epic lyrics and music. After several unsuccessful attempts to launch the project, Byron was introduced to the brothers Chris and Jonny Maudling
Jonny Maudling
Jonny Maudling is an English composer, keyboard player and former drummer for the band Bal-Sagoth. Maudling's primary instruments are Roland synthesizers when playing live. He comes from a musical family and was classically trained on piano from an early age...
in 1993, who were also looking to form a serious band. This formed what would become the writing core of the outfit. After several months of rehearsing, and following a line up reshuffle which saw the departure of lead guitarist Alistair MacLatchy, the band recorded their first demo in late 1993. The band roster at this point conisited of Byron Roberts on vocals, Chris Maudling on guitar, Jonny Maudling on drums, Jason Porter on bass and Vincent Crabtree on keyboards. More of a straight ahead death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
effort with symphonic elements, the demo attracted the attention of Cacophonous Records, who signed the band to a three album deal.
A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria (1994-1995)
The band entered Academy Music StudioAcademy Music Studio
Academy Music Studio is a professional recording studio located in Dewsbury, England which utilizes the latest digital recording technology and also traditional analogue equipment if required....
in June 1994 and recorded their debut album, A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria
A Black Moon Broods over Lemuria
A Black Moon Broods over Lemuria, is Bal-Sagoth's 1995 debut album after their 1993 demo. The album was recorded in a two week period in June 1994, but due to label problems the album was released almost a year later...
, 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 showcased more traditional black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
/death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
ideas, and fewer symphonic elements. The vocal style of Byron Roberts
Byron Roberts
Byron Roberts, also known as Byron A. Roberts, is the vocalist/lyricist and founder of the British symphonic extreme metal band Bal-Sagoth.Originally hailing from Yorkshire, England, and also holding full Canadian citizenship, due to many years spent living in Ontario and Quebec, Roberts graduated...
is also slightly different from later efforts, using more traditional death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
and black metal grunts, as well as the spoken narrative passages which would become more prevalent on subsequent albums.
Starfire Burning... (1996-1997)
In 1996, Bal-Sagoth released Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima ThuleStarfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule
Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule is Bal-Sagoth's second full-length album, released in November 1996 through Cacophonous Records. This was the last album to feature Jason Porter on bass guitar, as he was replaced by Alistair MacLatchy in December 1996. As with the first...
, again recorded at Academy Music Studio
Academy Music Studio
Academy Music Studio is a professional recording studio located in Dewsbury, England which utilizes the latest digital recording technology and also traditional analogue equipment if required....
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
Jonny Maudling
Jonny Maudling is an English composer, keyboard player and former drummer for the band Bal-Sagoth. Maudling's primary instruments are Roland synthesizers when playing live. He comes from a musical family and was classically trained on piano from an early age...
, as well as the "storytelling" aspect of Byron Roberts
Byron Roberts
Byron Roberts, also known as Byron A. Roberts, is the vocalist/lyricist and founder of the British symphonic extreme metal band Bal-Sagoth.Originally hailing from Yorkshire, England, and also holding full Canadian citizenship, due to many years spent living in Ontario and Quebec, Roberts graduated...
's spoken-word vocals. Through keyboards, the band incorporated a virtual symphony orchestra as an equal fifth instrument, along with guitar, bass, drums and vocals. 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, who had in fact been an original member of the band in its very earliest incarnation, Bal-Sagoth teamed up with Dark Funeral
Dark Funeral
Dark Funeral is a black metal band from Stockholm, Sweden, founded by guitarists Blackmoon and Lord Ahriman in 1993. They are one of the bands to have emerged in Sweden during the Second wave of black metal....
and Ancient
Ancient (band)
Ancient is a Norwegian black metal band from Eidsvåg, Nesset, formed in 1992. The band has released six full-length albums released by Metal Blade Records and a variety of mini-albums, EPs and special releases. Ancient used to have the classic raw black metal sound, similar to Darkthrone's works...
in March 1997 for the "Starfire Engulfs Europe Tour" (AKA the "Satanic War Tour II"), a 23-date trek through Europe, followed by the second leg in October 1997 with the black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
band Emperor
Emperor (band)
Emperor was a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1991. They dissolved in 2001, but reunited in 2006 and again in 2007 for a few festival dates and brief US tours. The group was founded by Samoth and Ihsahn .-Biography:...
and thrash metal outfit Nocturnal Breed
Nocturnal Breed
Nocturnal Breed is a Norwegian thrash metal band, formed in Oslo in 1996 by singer/bassist Kenneth Svartalv and guitarist Sven Atle Kopperud .-Members:*S.A. Destroyer : vocals/bass...
.
Battle Magic (1997-1999)
Bal-Sagoth spent much of 1997 writing and recording what would become the album Battle MagicBattle Magic
Battle Magic is the third album by Bal-Sagoth, released in 1998 on Cacophonous Records. It is the last album to feature Jonny Maudling on drums, who following this album would go on to concentrate fully on playing the keyboards....
. Again recorded at Academy Music Studio
Academy Music Studio
Academy Music Studio is a professional recording studio located in Dewsbury, England which utilizes the latest digital recording technology and also traditional analogue equipment if required....
in England, this time the band were afforded nearly a full month to record the album. Released in March 1998, Battle Magic caught the attention of Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
records, who subsequently signed Bal-Sagoth to a three 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 of their Nuclear Blast debut. Frustrated with fill-in tour keyboard players, Jonny Maudling
Jonny Maudling
Jonny Maudling is an English composer, keyboard player and former drummer for the band Bal-Sagoth. Maudling's primary instruments are Roland synthesizers when playing live. He comes from a musical family and was classically trained on piano from an early age...
decided to focus full time on composition and live keyboards in 1999, handing drum duties over to Dave Mackintosh
Dave Mackintosh
Dave Mackintosh is the drummer for the British power metal band DragonForce. Mackintosh also appeared on power metal band Power Quest's debut album, Wings of Forever and The Power Cosmic and Atlantis Ascendant albums, by the symphonic black metal band, Bal-Sagoth.He is influenced by Neil Peart,...
(later of DragonForce
DragonForce
DragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
).
The Power Cosmic, Atlantis Ascendant, The Chthonic Chronicles (1999-present)
In 1999, Bal-Sagoth released their first album with Nuclear Blast, The Power CosmicThe Power Cosmic
The Power Cosmic is Bal-Sagoth's fourth album, released in 1999. The album was Bal-Sagoth's first with Nuclear Blast.This was the first Bal-Sagoth album to not contain a full lyric booklet...
. 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
Atlantis Ascendant
Atlantis Ascendant is Bal-Sagoth's fifth album. It was released in 2001 through Nuclear Blast. This was the first Bal-Sagoth album to be recorded with digital recording technology....
.
The band resurfaced as a live act in 2001, embarking on "The Fifth Cataclysm Devours Europe: Phase 1" tour (AKA: No Mercy festival tour) with Mortician
Mortician (band)
Mortician is a death metal / deathgrind two piece band from Yonkers, New York founded in 1989. They have released most of their albums since the House by the Cemetery EP on Relapse Records but have released their latest album on their own label, Mortician Records. They have toured several times...
, Sinister
Sinister (band)
Sinister is a death metal band from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, assembled in 1988, disassembled in 2003, and reassembled in 2005 by Adrie Kloosterwaard on vocals and Alex Paul on guitar...
, Vader
Vader (band)
Vader is a Polish death metal band from Olsztyn, formed in 1983. According to Piotr Wiwczarek, the band's founding singer and guitar player, the band's name was inspired by Darth Vader from the Star Wars film series. Lyrical themes include stories by H. P. Lovecraft, WW2, horror and anti-christian...
, Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth is a Swedish viking metal band from Tumba, Sweden founded in 1992, and takes its name from the Sindarin translation of Mount Doom, a location in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The band comprises vocalist Johan Hegg, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, bassist Ted Lundström...
, Marduk
Marduk (band)
Marduk is a black metal band from Norrköping, Sweden. The band formed in 1990 and released their first record in 1991. Their name is derived from the Babylonian god Marduk, patron deity of Babylon.-Musical style:...
, God Dethroned
God Dethroned
-Biography:God Dethroned was formed in 1991 by singer and guitar player Henri Sattler, with Hans Leegstra and Ard de Weerd. Sattler and Leegstra had previously been in Dysentery; Leegstra, quickly after the band formed, left the music scene altogether. They recorded a demo, Christ Hunt, in 1991,...
, ...and Oceans
...and Oceans
Havoc Unit, formerly known as ...and Oceans, is an industrial black metal band from Finland. It was formed in 1989 as a death metal outfit called Festerday, but soon changed its style to symphonic black metal. It released its first album as ...and Oceans in 1998, and in the following years it...
, and Mystic Circle
Mystic Circle
- History:Mystic Circle was formed in 1992 in Ludwigshafen. They released several EPs before their debut LP was issued in 1997. Following their 1998 release they toured with Marduk and Old Man's Child and played several large rock festivals...
. Shortly after this, they embarked upon another European tour with Marduk. Later in 2002, the band played the Bloodstock
Bloodstock
Bloodstock was an annual metal music festival held from 2001 to 2006 over two days in The Assembly Rooms, Derby, England. The event featured big-name mainstream, underground and new bands split between two stages, as well as a 'Metal Market' offering general genre merchandise and CDs...
indoor festival, which was followed by a short tour with Return to the Sabbat in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In 2004, Dave Mackintosh left the band and joined DragonForce
DragonForce
DragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
. He was replaced by Dan Mullins
Dan Mullins
Dan Mullins is an English metal drummer. He is most known for being the drummer of the death/doom metal band My Dying Bride. Mullins has cited drummers such as Buddy Rich, Mike Portnoy, Sean Reinert, and Paul Mazurkiewicz as influences....
(the current drummer of My Dying Bride
My Dying Bride
My Dying Bride are an English doom metal band formed in 1990. To date, My Dying Bride have released eleven full-length studio albums, three EPs, one demo, one box set, four compilation albums, one live album, and one live CD/DVD release. The band released their tenth studio album, For Lies I Sire,...
), who made his debut with Bal-Sagoth at Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
2004.
In March 2006, Bal-Sagoth released their long awaited sixth album, The Chthonic Chronicles
The Chthonic Chronicles
The Chthonic Chronicles is Bal-Sagoth's sixth album, the first in five years since 2001's Atlantis Ascendant. It is rumoured to be their last album; their first album's introduction song is called "Hatheg-Kla" and the final song on The Chthonic Chronicles is called "Return to Hatheg-Kla", perhaps...
on Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
records. The music was recorded entirely at Jonny Maudling
Jonny Maudling
Jonny Maudling is an English composer, keyboard player and former drummer for the band Bal-Sagoth. Maudling's primary instruments are Roland synthesizers when playing live. He comes from a musical family and was classically trained on piano from an early age...
's Waylands Forge Studios
Waylands Forge Studios
Waylands Forge Studios is a digital recording environment owned and operated by Jonny Maudling of the band Bal-Sagoth. Located in Yorkshire, England, the studio was created in 2001 as a comprehensive work environment to compose and record music for media, tv, film, and the video game industry.The...
, while the vocals were recorded once again at the famed Academy Music Studio
Academy Music Studio
Academy Music Studio is a professional recording studio located in Dewsbury, England which utilizes the latest digital recording technology and also traditional analogue equipment if required....
. The album was the band's first in five years, and is rumoured to be their last. Shortly after its release the band recruited a new drummer, Paul "Wak" Jackson, who also plays drums for Dyscaphia (formerly known as "Extreme Maggot Infestation").
In the summer of 2006, Bal-Sagoth played the Bloodstock Open Air
Bloodstock Open Air
Bloodstock Open Air is a heavy metal festival held annually at Catton Hall in Walton-upon-Trent, England, since 2005. Previous line-ups have included bands such as Opeth , Children of Bodom , Nightwish , Cradle of Filth , Testament , Arch Enemy , Europe and Twisted Sister .Originally on one stage...
festival, and in January 2007 they made their first trip to the USA to headline the "Heathen Crusade II" festival in St. Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. In January 2008, they journeyed to Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
to headline shows in Helsinki and Turku, supported by Finnish band Battlelore
Battlelore
Battlelore is a metal band from Lappeenranta, Finland. All of Battlelore's lyrics concern J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.-Style:Battlelore mixes female vocals with harsh male growling in "beauty and the beast" duet, backed by heavy guitar riffing and occasional keyboard interludes. The band's...
, and in November 2008 they played the Screamfest festival in Oslo, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. In May 2009, the band played two shows in Lisbon and Porto, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. In January 2010, Mark Greenwell left the band to be replaced by previous bassist Alistair MacLatchy, and in March 2010, Bal-Sagoth returned to Finland to play a show in Helsinki with fellow English band Skyclad
Skyclad (band)
Skyclad are a British heavy metal band with heavy folk influences in their music. They are considered one of the pioneers of folk metal. The etymology behind the term "skyclad" comes from a pagan/wiccan term for ritual nudity, in which rituals are performed with the participants metaphorically clad...
. On August 14, 2010, Bal-Sagoth performed at the Brutal Assault
Brutal assault
Brutal Assault is an extreme metal open-air music festival taking place in the 18th century army Fortress Josefov in Jaroměř, Czech Republic. It takes place each August traditionally on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the beginning of the month. The festival was started in 1995 featuring mostly...
festival in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. On March 5, 2011, the band played a headlining show the Graffiti Club in Bern, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
According to Byron's blog, there is the possibility of another album potentially dealing with such topics as the "2012 Apocalypse", perhaps to be released at the time, although he also says that the material would have to be "by far the best material that the band had ever produced", and that no decision about subsequent albums has yet been taken. They also announced on their Facebook page that they are planning a limited edition CD re-release of their demo, previously only released in very limited numbers via cassette tape. In October 2011 it was confirmed that the band would reissue their whole second trilogy, consisting of The Power Cosmic, Atlantis Ascendant and The Chthonic Chronicles as limited edition digipacks with expanded lyric booklets. These remastered editions will be released through Nuclear Blast's affiliate label Metal Mind Productions on November 14th 2011 in Europe and January 10th 2012 in USA.
The Multiverse
The "Multiverse" is the alternate reality in which the lyrics of Byron RobertsByron Roberts
Byron Roberts, also known as Byron A. Roberts, is the vocalist/lyricist and founder of the British symphonic extreme metal band Bal-Sagoth.Originally hailing from Yorkshire, England, and also holding full Canadian citizenship, due to many years spent living in Ontario and Quebec, Roberts graduated...
are set. Based on ideas similar in concept to H. P. Lovecraft
H. P. Lovecraft
Howard Phillips Lovecraft --often credited as H.P. Lovecraft — was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction, especially the subgenre known as weird fiction....
, Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic Mars adventurer John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.-Biography:...
, and especially Robert E. Howard
Robert E. Howard
Robert Ervin Howard was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. Best known for his character Conan the Barbarian, he is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre....
, the Multiverse is mostly past tense, wherein Roberts describes ancient events that have already transpired. Worldwide floods, pan-galactic wars, rogue demigods, ancient empires and kingdoms, and sinister artifacts compose this alternate history of the earth. Mythical places such as Atlantis
Atlantis
Atlantis is a legendary island first mentioned in Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias, written about 360 BC....
, Hyperborea, Ultima Thule, Ys
Ys
Ys , also spelled Is or Kêr-Is in Breton, and Ker-Ys in French , is a mythical city that was built on the coast of Brittany and later swallowed by the ocean...
, Mu
Mu
- Language :* Mu , Μ or μ, a letter in the Greek alphabet* Mu , represented by the Japanese kana む or ム* 無, Mu , a Japanese and Korean word important in Zen practice...
and Lemuria
Lemuria (continent)
Lemuria is the name of a hypothetical "lost land" variously located in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The concept's 19th century origins lie in attempts to account for discontinuities in biogeography; however, the concept of Lemuria has been rendered obsolete by modern theories of plate tectonics...
feature prominently in the band's Antediluvian World. Additionally, many of the lyrics are set within the framework of recognizable history, with a cast of characters including historical barbarians, gladiators, corsairs and privateers, archaeologists and occult investigators whose exploits take place during recorded history from Roman times through the age of Reason, the late 19th century and early 20th century. Along with Byron's other, more science fiction oriented lyrics detailing a far future era of galactic struggle and interstellar war, the Bal-Sagoth lyrics span countless aeons and are truly epic in scope.
Legends of the lyrical world 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 the Chaos Lord Angsaar at the Shrine of A'zura-Kai, where they battle for control of the powerful Crystal of Mera. The King wields the mighty Shadow Sword, which was used long before by an Immortal of Ultima Thule in a battle to defeat Angsaar during his first rise to power. Featured on the albums Starfire Burning...Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima ThuleStarfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule is Bal-Sagoth's second full-length album, released in November 1996 through Cacophonous Records. This was the last album to feature Jason Porter on bass guitar, as he was replaced by Alistair MacLatchy in December 1996. As with the first...
(Pt. I), Battle MagicBattle MagicBattle Magic is the third album by Bal-Sagoth, released in 1998 on Cacophonous Records. It is the last album to feature Jonny Maudling on drums, who following this album would go on to concentrate fully on playing the keyboards....
(Pt. II), and Atlantis AscendantAtlantis AscendantAtlantis Ascendant is Bal-Sagoth's fifth album. It was released in 2001 through Nuclear Blast. This was the first Bal-Sagoth album to be recorded with digital recording technology....
(Pt. III).
- The Obsidian Crown Saga - The tale of the warring kingdoms of Vyrgothia and The Imperium. The Imperium invades Vyrgothia, besieging the fortress of 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, an entity of immense power who had slumbered for many aeons. Featured on the albums Starfire Burning...Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima ThuleStarfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule is Bal-Sagoth's second full-length album, released in November 1996 through Cacophonous Records. This was the last album to feature Jason Porter on bass guitar, as he was replaced by Alistair MacLatchy in December 1996. As with the first...
and The Chthonic ChroniclesThe Chthonic ChroniclesThe Chthonic Chronicles is Bal-Sagoth's sixth album, the first in five years since 2001's Atlantis Ascendant. It is rumoured to be their last album; their first album's introduction song is called "Hatheg-Kla" and the final song on The Chthonic Chronicles is called "Return to Hatheg-Kla", perhaps...
.
- The battles of the tribal over-king Caylen-Tor - A barbarian warrior who forges a tenuous alliance of the tribes of his northern homeland, Caylen-Tor must lead his clansmen into battle against the overwhelming forces of the eastern Mytos K'unn empire. The decisive clash occurs at Blackhelm Vale and results in the Imperial forces being repulsed by the rag-tag tribal warhird. Featured on the album Starfire Burning...Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima ThuleStarfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule is Bal-Sagoth's second full-length album, released in November 1996 through Cacophonous Records. This was the last album to feature Jason Porter on bass guitar, as he was replaced by Alistair MacLatchy in December 1996. As with the first...
- The Quest of Zurra for the Empyreal Lexicon - The galactic tale of Zurra, a rogue demigod (in truth an alien genetic experiment gone horribly wrong) 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, faces the fiends of the Z'xulth, and finally wreaks havoc on ancient Mu, but is thwarted by his clone progenitor Zuranthus and The Prime Voyager. Featured on The Power CosmicThe Power CosmicThe Power Cosmic is Bal-Sagoth's fourth album, released in 1999. The album was Bal-Sagoth's first with Nuclear Blast.This was the first Bal-Sagoth album to not contain a full lyric booklet...
.
- The Chronicles of the Forest-King of Darkenhold - Many tales are set within or indirectly involve the great Darkenhold forest and its mystical sylvan liege, the Forest King. Primarily allegorical in nature, the forest sagas involve such elements as the encroachment of an insidious eastern foe into the sovereign boundaries of the forest, and are also thematically linked to the story of the Draconis Albionensis and the legendary Dragon Cavalry which protected Albion from all foreign foes.
- The Guardians of the Astral Gate - These sidereal sentinels are the eternal keepers of the portal between the realm of the Z'xulth and the terran dimensions. Headed by Xuk'ul, this group of demigods is constantly summoned by aspirants in various attempts at gaining power or knowledge. Their ruthlessness when dealing with such querents 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...Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima ThuleStarfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule is Bal-Sagoth's second full-length album, released in November 1996 through Cacophonous Records. This was the last album to feature Jason Porter on bass guitar, as he was replaced by Alistair MacLatchy in December 1996. As with the first...
, Battle MagicBattle MagicBattle Magic is the third album by Bal-Sagoth, released in 1998 on Cacophonous Records. It is the last album to feature Jonny Maudling on drums, who following this album would go on to concentrate fully on playing the keyboards....
, The Power CosmicThe Power CosmicThe Power Cosmic is Bal-Sagoth's fourth album, released in 1999. The album was Bal-Sagoth's first with Nuclear Blast.This was the first Bal-Sagoth album to not contain a full lyric booklet...
, Atlantis AscendantAtlantis AscendantAtlantis Ascendant is Bal-Sagoth's fifth album. It was released in 2001 through Nuclear Blast. This was the first Bal-Sagoth album to be recorded with digital recording technology....
, and The Chthonic ChroniclesThe Chthonic ChroniclesThe Chthonic Chronicles is Bal-Sagoth's sixth album, the first in five years since 2001's Atlantis Ascendant. It is rumoured to be their last album; their first album's introduction song is called "Hatheg-Kla" and the final song on The Chthonic Chronicles is called "Return to Hatheg-Kla", perhaps...
.
- The Adventures of Professor Caleb Blackthorne III - English archaeologist and specialist in conjectural antediluvian anthropology, Professor Blackthorne travels the globe in search of ancient mysteries and forbidden knowledge before ultimately falling foul of the mysterious powers that safeguard such lore from the meddlings of mankind. Featured on the albums Atlantis AscendantAtlantis AscendantAtlantis Ascendant is Bal-Sagoth's fifth album. It was released in 2001 through Nuclear Blast. This was the first Bal-Sagoth album to be recorded with digital recording technology....
, and The Chthonic ChroniclesThe Chthonic ChroniclesThe Chthonic Chronicles is Bal-Sagoth's sixth album, the first in five years since 2001's Atlantis Ascendant. It is rumoured to be their last album; their first album's introduction song is called "Hatheg-Kla" and the final song on The Chthonic Chronicles is called "Return to Hatheg-Kla", perhaps...
.
Many of Byron's lyrical stories are soon to be expanded into short stories and graphic novels (written by Byron and illustrated by fantasy artist Martin Hanford), and the forthcoming expanded Glossary, which will be an extended version of the glossary previously posted to the band's website, will be the definitive A-Z of all the characters and events of the vast lyrical universe.
Current members
- Byron RobertsByron RobertsByron Roberts, also known as Byron A. Roberts, is the vocalist/lyricist and founder of the British symphonic extreme metal band Bal-Sagoth.Originally hailing from Yorkshire, England, and also holding full Canadian citizenship, due to many years spent living in Ontario and Quebec, Roberts graduated...
– vocals (1993–present) - Jonny MaudlingJonny MaudlingJonny Maudling is an English composer, keyboard player and former drummer for the band Bal-Sagoth. Maudling's primary instruments are Roland synthesizers when playing live. He comes from a musical family and was classically trained on piano from an early age...
– keyboards (1995–present, until 1998 studio only), drums (1993–1998, studio and live) - Chris Maudling – guitar (1993–present)
- Paul "Wak" Jackson – drums (2006–present)
- Alistair MacLatchy – bass (1996–1998, 2010–present)
Former members
- Jason Porter – bass guitar (1993–1996)
- Vincent Crabtree – keyboards (1993–1995)
- Dave MackintoshDave MackintoshDave Mackintosh is the drummer for the British power metal band DragonForce. Mackintosh also appeared on power metal band Power Quest's debut album, Wings of Forever and The Power Cosmic and Atlantis Ascendant albums, by the symphonic black metal band, Bal-Sagoth.He is influenced by Neil Peart,...
– drums (1998–2004) - Dan MullinsDan MullinsDan Mullins is an English metal drummer. He is most known for being the drummer of the death/doom metal band My Dying Bride. Mullins has cited drummers such as Buddy Rich, Mike Portnoy, Sean Reinert, and Paul Mazurkiewicz as influences....
− drums (2004–2006) - Mark Greenwell - bass (1998–2010)
Discography
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | A Black Moon Broods over Lemuria A Black Moon Broods over Lemuria A Black Moon Broods over Lemuria, is Bal-Sagoth's 1995 debut album after their 1993 demo. The album was recorded in a two week period in June 1994, but due to label problems the album was released almost a year later... |
Cacophonous |
| 1996 | Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule is Bal-Sagoth's second full-length album, released in November 1996 through Cacophonous Records. This was the last album to feature Jason Porter on bass guitar, as he was replaced by Alistair MacLatchy in December 1996. As with the first... |
|
| 1998 | Battle Magic Battle Magic Battle Magic is the third album by Bal-Sagoth, released in 1998 on Cacophonous Records. It is the last album to feature Jonny Maudling on drums, who following this album would go on to concentrate fully on playing the keyboards.... |
|
| 1999 | The Power Cosmic The Power Cosmic The Power Cosmic is Bal-Sagoth's fourth album, released in 1999. The album was Bal-Sagoth's first with Nuclear Blast.This was the first Bal-Sagoth album to not contain a full lyric booklet... |
Nuclear Blast Nuclear Blast Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic... |
| 2001 | Atlantis Ascendant Atlantis Ascendant Atlantis Ascendant is Bal-Sagoth's fifth album. It was released in 2001 through Nuclear Blast. This was the first Bal-Sagoth album to be recorded with digital recording technology.... |
|
| 2006 | The Chthonic Chronicles The Chthonic Chronicles The Chthonic Chronicles is Bal-Sagoth's sixth album, the first in five years since 2001's Atlantis Ascendant. It is rumoured to be their last album; their first album's introduction song is called "Hatheg-Kla" and the final song on The Chthonic Chronicles is called "Return to Hatheg-Kla", perhaps... |
External links
- Official Bal-Sagoth website — Official site containing much information on the band.
- Official Bal-Sagoth MySpace page - Features news updates, FAQ's, photos, etc.
- Wayland's Forge Official Site – Information on Waylands Forge, Jonny Maudling's recording studio
- Finnish Unofficial Bal-Sagoth Website - Contains information in Finnish, most of which is simply translated from the official site.
- Bal-Sagoth at Encyclopaedia Metallum - Discography, line-ups
- Byron Roberts Official Site - Official band news, features on lyrics, blogs, etc.