Bal-Sagoth - Starfire Burning Upon The Ice-Veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule (1996)

 

 Bal-Sagoth was created in the UK in 1989 by Byron Roberts (vocals) but wasn't formed until he met the brothers Chris (guitar) and Johnny (keyboard, drums) Maudling in 1993. Shortly after Jason Porter (bass) and Vincent Crabtree (keyboard) were recruited. In December same year they recorded their first and only demo tape which resulted in a deal with Cacophonous Records. In 1994 they entered Academy Studios and recorded their first full-length album, “A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria", which wasn't released until 1995. Before it was released Vincent Crabtree left the band and was replaced by Leon Forrest. Same year the also played their first gig at the Dublin Castle Festival.

In 1996 they returned to the studio to record their second album, "Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule" and shortly after the release Jason Porter was forced to leave the band and Alistair Maclatchy was the one who replaced him. More tours followed and in 1998 the third album, "Battle Magic", was released. Before the release Leon Forrest had left the band and Johhny had switched to keyboards instead of drums. Dave Mackintosh (drums) was then brought into the band and Alistair Maclatchy was replaced by Mark Greenwell.

In 1999 they were signed to Nuclear Blast where they released the fourth album, "The Power Cosmic", same year. "Atlantis Ascendant" followed in 2001 and was followed by various tours. In 2004 David Mackintosh left in order to focus on his other band called Dragonforce.

 

 

 

 

 

 Tracklist:

 

1. Black Dragons Soar Above the Mountain of Shadows (Prologue)     03:05       Instrumental
2. To Dethrone the Witch-Queen of Mytos K'unn (The Legend of the Battle of Blackhelm Vale)     06:45
3. As the Vortex Illumines the Crystalline Walls of Kor-Avul-Thaa     06:35
4. Starfire Burning upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule     07:23
5. Journey to the Isle of Mists (Over the Moonless Depths of Night-Dark Seas)     01:11
6. The Splendour of a Thousand Swords Gleaming Beneath the Blazon of the Hyperborean Empire     06:03
7. And Lo, When the Imperium Marches Against Gul-Kothoth, Then Dark Sorceries Shall Enshroud the Citadel of the Obsidian Crown     06:28
8. Summoning the Guardians of the Astral Gate     06:09
9. In the Raven-Haunted Forests of Darkenhold, Where Shadows Reign and the Hues of Sunlight Never Dance     06:29
10. At the Altar of the Dreaming Gods (Epilogue)     02:29       Instrumental

52:37

 

Lineup:

• Byron Roberts : Vocals, Lyrics
• Jonny Maudling : Drums, Keyboards, Songwriting
• Chris Maudling : Guitars, Bass, Songwriting.

Label: Cacophonous Records – NIHIL 18CD

 Produced by Mags and Bal-Sagoth.

 Recorded at Academy Studios, Yorkshire, England, August 1996.

 The Interactive CD-ROM Track contains application with informations about label, signed bands, ordering information, catalogue and merchandise. 

 Cover art rendered: Petagno.

 Original Bal-Sagoth logo design: Byron Roberts.