Editing Bal-Sagoth

{{Short description|Symphonic black metal band}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2007}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Bal-Sagoth
| image           = Bal-Sagoth, UK, 2001.jpg
| caption         = Bal-Sagoth live in Bradford, UK, 2001.
| image_size      =
| origin          = [[Sheffield]], [[South Yorkshire]], England
| genre           = [[Symphonic black metal]]
| years_active    = 1993–2013
| label           = Cacophonous, [[Nuclear Blast]]
| website         = [http://www.bal-sagoth.com/ www.bal-sagoth.com]
| current_members = [[Byron Roberts]]<br/>[[Jonny Maudling]]<br/>Chris Maudling<br/>Paul Jackson<br/>Alistair MacLatchy
| past_members    = Jason Porter<br />Vincent Crabtree<br />Leon Forrest<br />[[Dave Mackintosh]]<br />[[Dan Mullins]]<br />Mark Greenwell
}}

'''Bal-Sagoth''' ({{IPAc-en|b|aʊ|l|_|'|s|æ|g|ɒ|θ}})<ref>{{Cite web|last=Turpeinen|first=Antti|date=January 27, 2008|title=Interview with Bal-Sagoth - Part.1|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2DsHu1uZX8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/R2DsHu1uZX8| archive-date=2021-12-11|url-status=live|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> are a [[symphonic black metal]] band from [[Sheffield]], [[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".<ref>''"The Cimmerian"'', vol.4, number 3, 2007. ISSN 1548-3398</ref>  Their first demo was recorded in 1993, and Bal-Sagoth have since released three albums on Cacophonous Records, and three with [[Nuclear Blast]].

==History==

===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>

===First Trilogy (1994–1999)===

The band entered Academy Music Studio 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 versus the more epic and sprawling arrangements the group would utilize in later works. The vocal style of [[Byron Roberts]] is also 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.

In 1996, Bal-Sagoth released ''[[Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule]]'', again recorded at Academy Music Studio in England. The album marked a key shift in the band's sound,{{opinion|date=August 2012}} now focusing more on the composition and arrangement skills of drummer (and studio keyboard player) Jonny Maudling,{{opinion|date=August 2012}} 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 (band)|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 (Norwegian band)|Emperor]] and thrash metal outfit [[Nocturnal Breed]].

Bal-Sagoth spent much of 1997 writing and recording what would become the album ''[[Battle Magic]]''.  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]]).

===Second Trilogy (1999–2006)===

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 2001, embarking on "The Fifth Cataclysm Devours Europe: Phase 1" tour (AKA: No Mercy festival tour) with [[Mortician (band)|Mortician]], [[Sinister (band)|Sinister]], [[Vader (band)|Vader]], [[Amon Amarth]], [[Marduk (band)|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 Open Air]] 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]] (who left the band in 2006 and later became 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 Studio, while the vocals of Byron Roberts were recorded once again at the famed Academy Music Studio. Shortly after its release the band recruited a new drummer, Paul Jackson. The album was the band's first in five years, and is rumoured to be their last, although the band have stated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=16669|title=Bal-Sagoth – Band Update – Metal Storm|website=www.metalstorm.net|access-date=21 September 2017}}</ref> that they have no concrete intentions of either recording another album or splitting up, and that various members of the band may soon be announcing side projects.

===Recent activity (2006–present)===
In the summer of 2006, Bal-Sagoth played at the Bloodstock Open Air festival, and in January 2007 they made their first trip to the US 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 (band)|Skyclad]]. On 14 August 2010, Bal-Sagoth performed at the [[Brutal Assault]] festival in the Czech Republic. On 5 March 2011, the band played a headlining show in Bern, Switzerland.

In November 2011, three of the band's albums (''[[The Power Cosmic]]'', ''[[Atlantis Ascendant]]'' and ''[[The Chthonic Chronicles]]'') were reissued as limited edition digipaks by Nuclear Blast's affiliate label Metal Mind Productions. The reissues featured expanded lyric booklets, additional artwork and remastered audio. The band also announced on their Facebook page that they are planning a limited edition re-release of their demo, previously only available in very limited numbers via [[cassette tape]]. In March 2013 it was announced that the 1993 demo release would be entitled "Apocryphal Tales" and would be available as a "20th anniversary" limited edition 12-inch vinyl LP, issued through the independent label Sacrilege Records.
In September 2013 Bal-Sagoth announced that the release had been changed to limited edition 10" vinyl and CD, now issued by the UK labels Godreah Records and Exhumation Records.

In February 2013 it was announced that Bal-Sagoth guitarist Chris Maudling and keyboardist Jonny Maudling had formed a new band called "Kull", composed of various members of Bal-Sagoth and unsigned death metal band Dyscaphia.

On 21 February 2015 the fantasy anthology paperback "Swords of Steel" was published by [[DMR Books]]. The publication contains a short story by Bal-Sagoth vocalist/lyricist [[Byron Roberts]] entitled "Into the Dawn of Storms" which features characters from the Bal-Sagoth lyrical canon.<ref name="Swords of Steel">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Byron|title=Swords of Steel|publisher=[[DMR Books]]|year=2015|isbn=978-0990990000|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

On 30 July 2015, the fantasy anthology "Barbarian Crowns" was published by Horrified Press/Barbwire Butterfly Books. This publication contains a short story by [[Byron Roberts]] entitled "Chronicles of the Obsidian Crown" which features characters and events from the Bal-Sagoth lyrical canon.
<ref name="Barbarian Crowns">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Byron|title=Barbarian Crowns|publisher=Horrified Press/Barbwire Butterfly Books|year=2015|isbn=9781326350383|display-authors=etal}}</ref>
On the same day, the fantasy anthology "Devil's Armory" was also published by Horrified Press. This publication contains a short story by Byron Roberts entitled "Darkfall: Return of the Vampyre Hunter" which features characters from the Bal-Sagoth lyrics.<ref name="Devil's Armory">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Byron|title=Devil's Armory|publisher=Horrified Press/Barbwire Butterfly Books|year=2015|isbn=9781326337513|display-authors=etal}}</ref>
In addition, the publication of "Barbarian Crowns" was accompanied by the release of a compilation CD entitled "Bloodmist at Dawn" issued through the US based label Majestic Metal Records, which featured two Bal-Sagoth tracks.

On 27 February 2016, the fantasy anthology paperback "Swords of Steel II" was published by DMR Books. This publication contains a short story by [[Byron Roberts]] entitled "A Voyage on Benighted Seas", the second installment of a trilogy which began in the first volume of "Swords of Steel" featuring characters from the Bal-Sagoth lyrical canon.<ref name="Swords of Steel II">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Byron|title=Swords of Steel II|publisher=[[DMR Books]]|year=2016|isbn=9780990990017|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

On 13 May 2016, the band's first two albums [[A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria]] and [[Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule]] were re-released by Cacophonous Records as special edition CDs. The re-issues feature remastered audio, expanded lyric booklets, new sleeve notes and exclusive new artwork. On 16 September 2016, the third Bal-Sagoth album [[Battle Magic]] was reissued by Cacophonous Records on CD featuring remastered audio, expanded lyric booklet and new cover artwork.

On 19 May 2017, the fantasy anthology paperback "Swords of Steel III" was published by DMR Books. This publication contains a short story by [[Byron Roberts]] entitled "The Scion at the Gate of Eternity", the third installment of a trilogy featuring characters from the Bal-Sagoth lyrical canon.<ref name="Swords of Steel III">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Byron|title=Swords of Steel III|publisher=[[DMR Books]]|year=2017|isbn=9780990990000|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

On 18 March 2018 the sword and sorcery anthology "Dreams of Fire and Steel" was published by Nocturnicorn Books. The book includes a short story by [[Byron Roberts]] titled "Caylen-Tor", featuring the character which first appeared in the lyrics of the second Bal-Sagoth album [[Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule]] in 1996.<ref name="Dreams of Fire and Steel">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Byron|title=Dreams of Fire and Steel|publisher=Nocturnicorn Books|year=2018|isbn=9781986651905|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

On 14 May 2019 the novel "The Chronicles of Caylen-Tor" was published by DMR Books. The book consists of three novellas by [[Byron Roberts]] featuring the character Caylen-Tor who first appeared in the lyrics of the second Bal-Sagoth album [[Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule]] in 1996.<ref name="The Chronicles of Caylen-Tor">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Byron|title=The Chronicles of Caylen-Tor|publisher=[[DMR Books]]|year=2019|isbn=9780990990062}}</ref>

On 24 May 2019, the debut album of Jonny and Chris Maudling's new musical project "Kull" was released by the Swedish independent label Black Lion Records.

On 16 October 2020, ''The Power Cosmic'', ''Atlantis Ascendant'' and ''The Chthonic Chronicles'' were reissued as digipak CD editions via Dissonance Productions.

On 13 May 2021, the novel "The Chronicles of Caylen-Tor Volume II" was published by [[DMR Books]]. The book consists of four stories by [[Byron Roberts]] featuring his character Caylen-Tor who first appeared in the lyrics of the second Bal-Sagoth album [[Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule]] and is a sequel to "The Chronicles of Caylen-Tor".<ref name="The Chronicles of Caylen-Tor Volume II">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Byron|title=The Chronicles of Caylen-Tor Volume II|publisher=[[DMR Books]]|year=2021|isbn=9781735898278}}</ref>

In October 2020, February 2021 and July 2021, limited vinyl editions of the fourth, fifth and sixth Bal-Sagoth albums were released by the Italian specialist vinyl label Night of the Vinyl Dead. The releases featured coloured vinyl and special packaging, with "The Power Cosmic" including a movable die-cut tab, "Atlantis Ascendant" sporting a lenticular 3D cover, and "The Chthonic Chronicles" featuring a gatefold sleeve secured by a die-cut magnetic clasp.

In 2022, "The Power Cosmic", "Atlantis Ascendant" and "The Chthonic Chronicles" were reissued as gatefold "splatter vinyl" LPs by the specialist vinyl label "Back On Black".
  
In February 2024, the trade paperback ''The Chronicles of Caylen-Tor Volume III'' was published by [[DMR Books]]. The third volume in the series by Bal-Sagoth vocalist/lyricist [[Byron Roberts]] consists of three novellas featuring his character Caylen-Tor who first appeared in the lyrics of the second Bal-Sagoth album [[Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule]].<ref name="The Chronicles of Caylen-Tor Volume III">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Byron|title=The Chronicles of Caylen-Tor Volume III|publisher=[[DMR Books]]|year=2024|isbn=9781956173192}}</ref>

On 07 April 2025, the fantasy anthology paperback "Swords of Steel IV" was published by [[DMR Books]]. This publication contains a short story by [[Byron Roberts]] entitled "The Shrine of the Six-eyed Avatar", featuring characters and concepts from the Bal-Sagoth lyrical canon.

==Current Members==

=== Current members ===
* [[Byron Roberts]] – vocals (1993–present)
* [[Jonny Maudling]] – drums (1993–1998), keyboards (1998-present)
* Chris Maudling – bass (1993–1998), guitar (1993–present)
* Paul Jackson – drums (2007–present)
* Alistair MacLatchy – bass (2010–present)

=== Former members ===
* Vincent Crabtree – keyboards (1993–1995)
* [[Dave Mackintosh]] – drums (1998–2004)
* [[Dan Mullins]] − drums (2004–2006)
* Mark Greenwell – bass (1998–2010)

=== Touring members ===
* Jason Porter – bass guitar (1993–1996)
* Leon Forrest – keyboards (1995–1998)
* Alistair MacLatchy – bass (1996–1998)

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize  = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18
PlotArea   = left:110 bottom:80 top:10 right:20
Alignbars  = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period     = from:01/01/1993 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1993
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1993
Legend     = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

Colors =
 id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_Vocals
 id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars
 id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
 id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
 id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
 id:touring value:yellow legend:Touring_members
 id:studio value:black legend:Studio_Album

LineData =
 at:05/14/1995 color:black layer:back
 at:11/25/1996 color:black layer:back
 at:11/02/1998 color:black layer:back
 at:10/11/1999 color:black layer:back
 at:04/17/2001 color:black layer:back
 at:03/10/2006 color:black layer:back

BarData =
 bar:Byron text:"Byron Roberts"
 bar:Chris text:"Chris Maudling"
 bar:Jason text:"Jason Porter"
 bar:Alistair text:"Alistair MacLatchy"
 bar:Mark text:"Mark Greenwell"
 bar:Vinny text:"Vincent Crabtree"
 bar:Leon text:"Leon Forrest"
 bar:Jonny text:"Jonny Maudling"
 bar:Dave text:"Dave Mackintosh"
 bar:Dan text:"Dan Mullins"
 bar:Paul text:"Paul Jackson"

PlotData =
 width:11
 bar:Byron from:start till:end color:vocals
 bar:Chris from:start till:end color:guitar
 bar:Chris from:start till:12/01/1998 color:bass width:3
 bar:Jason from:start till:12/01/1996 color:bass
 bar:Jason from:start till:12/01/1996 color:touring width:3
 bar:Alistair from:12/01/1996 till:12/01/1998 color:bass
 bar:Alistair from:12/01/1996 till:12/01/1998 color:touring width:3
 bar:Mark from:12/01/1998 till:01/20/2010 color:bass
 bar:Alistair from:01/20/2010 till:end color:bass
 bar:Vinny from:start till:03/01/1995 color:keys
 bar:Leon from:03/01/1995 till:12/01/1998 color:keys
 bar:Leon from:03/01/1995 till:12/01/1998 color:touring width:3
 bar:Jonny from:start till:12/01/1998 color:drums
 bar:Jonny from:03/01/1995 till:12/01/1998 color:keys width:3
 bar:Jonny from:12/01/1998 till:end color:keys
 bar:Dave from:12/01/1998 till:03/01/2004 color:drums
 bar:Dan from:03/01/2004 till:04/01/2006 color:drums
 bar:Paul from:04/01/2006 till:end color:drums
 }}

== Discography ==
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Label
|-
| 1995
| ''[[A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria]]''
| rowspan="3"| Cacophonous
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule]]''
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Battle Magic]]''
|-
| 1999
| ''[[The Power Cosmic]]''
| rowspan="3"| [[Nuclear Blast]]
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Atlantis Ascendant]]''
|-
| 2006
| ''[[The Chthonic Chronicles]]''
|-
| 2013
| ''Apocryphal Tales (Demo 1993)''
| rowspan="3"| Godreah Records
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110928174531/http://www.bal-sagoth.com/ Official Bal-Sagoth website] – Official site containing much information on the band.
* [http://www.myspace.com/balsagoth Official Bal-Sagoth MySpace page] – Features news updates, FAQ's, photos, etc.
* [http://www.byron-a-roberts.co.uk/ Byron Roberts Official Site] – Official band news, features on lyrics, blogs, etc.
* [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waylands-Forge-Recording-Studio/129234190490863/ Wayland's Forge Official Site] – Information on Waylands Forge recording studio
* [http://www.bal-sagoth.net/ Official Band Blog] – Official Bal-Sagoth News Site and Blog
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070908051011/http://www.epic-metal.com/host/nordic/bal-sagoth/ Finnish Unofficial Bal-Sagoth Website] – Contains information in Finnish, most of which is simply translated from the official site.
{{Bal-Sagoth}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bal-Sagoth}}
[[Category:English black metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Symphonic black metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1993]]
[[Category:English musical quintets]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Back on Black Records artists]]