Editing Bal-Sagoth (section)

===Early days (1989–1993)===
Bal-Sagoth was conceived in 1989 by [[Byron Roberts]], in an attempt to form what he called "a sublimely [[symphonic black metal|symphonic black]]/[[death metal]] band swathed in a concept of [[dark fantasy]] and [[science fiction]], inspired by the celebrated style of the grand pulp horror and fantasy literature of the 1930s".<ref name="Strange Sound of Cthulhu">{{cite book|last=Hill|first=Gary|title=The Strange Sound of Cthulhu: Music Inspired by the Writings of H. P. Lovecraft|publisher=[[Lulu (company)|Lulu]]|year=2006|isbn=978-1-84728-776-2|pages=54–57}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Strange Sound of Cthulhu" /> After several unsuccessful attempts to launch the project, Byron was introduced to the brothers Chris and [[Jonny Maudling]] in 1993,<ref name="allmusic.com Biography">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p406937|pure_url=yes}}|title=Bal-Sagoth Biography|last=Ankeny|first=Jason|work=Allmusic|publisher=Macrovision|access-date=27 October 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref name="allmusic.com Biography" /> The band roster at this point consisted of Byron Roberts on vocals, Chris Maudling on guitar, Jonny Maudling on drums, Jason Porter on bass and Vincent Crabtree on keyboards.<ref name="allmusic.com Biography" /> The demo attracted the attention of Cacophonous Records, who signed the band<ref name="allmusic.com Biography" /> to a three-album deal.<ref name="Official Bal-Sagoth Chronology">{{cite web|url=http://www.bal-sagoth.com/chronology.html|title=Official Bal-Sagoth Chronology|access-date=27 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304133911/http://www.bal-sagoth.com/chronology.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>