BAL SAGOTH - British pulp influenced Metal

[bulletrider]

I don't know if anyone here's into metal, mainly into the harder, blackier and darker side of it.
Anyway - let me introduce to you British band BAL SAGOTH, who chose their name as an hommage to a story by R.E. Howard.

Though if you don't like their style of music maybe the lyrical content is something for you as their lyrics have a very Sword & Sorcery Pulp flair to it and are influenced by REH's "universes", H.P. Lovecraft and other scifi and fantastic stuff.

The text part in each CD doesn't only cover the sung lyrics but also nearly whole short stories written by their vocalist Byron Roberts (who is working on a novel and also a comic afaik…).
You can have a look at the lyrics/stories here:
www.bal-sagoth.co.uk/lyrics.html

And of course, as I personally am a big fan, here is some music you can listen to. Most taken of their best album "Starfire Burning Upon The Ice-Veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule". I guess most of you won't like the harsh and screaming voice but maybe his narrational parts. I personally especially like the keyboard/synth secttion which may sound a bit cheesey (as it's only synth and not a real orchestra) but is really bombastic, marching and triumphant.
Here you go:

"And Lo, When The Imperium Marches Against Gul-Kothoth, Then Dark Sorceries Shall Enshroud The Citadel Of The Obsidian Crown (Episode: VIII)"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq3g_nRHGyo

"To Dethrone The Witch-Queen Of Mytos K’unn (The Legend Of The Battle Of Blackhelm Vale)"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7IGJTS2p4E

"Black Dragons Soar Above The Mountain Of Shadows (Prologue)" (only synth)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOZ1upBaDYI

"Starfire Burning Upon The Ice-Veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6exE8L-qwg

"The Scourge Of The Fourth Celestial Host"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMLFvZMqvQQ

"Draconis Albionensis"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8qMIe6GgNI

[lemming13]

Am I the only other Bal-Sagoth appreciator here? They may not be Cradle of Filth, but they have a lot going for them. My favourite album is A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria; best track, Hatheg-Kla.