Bal-Sagoth – The Cthonic Chronicles
Author: Kristofer Upjohn
Bal-Sagoth has a dollop of Scandinavian black metal’s symphonic majesty but is informed even more by the ubergothic likes of Cradle of Filth. There are those that would accuse bands like Bal-Sagoth and CoF of being sellouts or posers but it seems to me this is not the case. Many black metal bands exude trying-to-hard attitude and scowl their way through CD inserts full of snarling expressions and Satanic images, but how much is for the image? (Granted, there are those that aren’t kidding, but I’m not giving credit to building burners and those who kill each other … so you’re not posers, just murderers.) And, in all fairness, I’m sure there are legitimately Satanic black metal acts out there. But my point is this. Bal-Sagoth and CoF are here to entertaintain and to me their motives are much closer to the surface and less “posery.” And, anyway, who cares. Bal-Sagoth’s music is rich and lush and moves through various phases in the course of a song, providing dynamics for the fans. The heavy keyboard element brings real beauty to the brutality and nails down the atmosphere. If you like CoF you must check out Bal-Sagoth.
7/10
Candlelight Records USA
(+7 rating, 3 votes)
