ATLANTIS ASCENDANT REVIEWS

The dark liege of chaos has returned for another battle against the warriors of the hyperborean empire. This is the fifth splendour of the dreamers counting since 1994 with "A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria". For those that don't know Bal Sagoth you should know they are epic, symphonic and majestic in their own personal way. The easiest comparison I am thinking of is Rhapsody with trumpets and a few black elements in the vocals but the music although is epic and symphonic is way too dark. So, don't be confused with the smurfy style of the above-mentioned band.

The thing about these dark emperors is that they can not be compared with any other band around. And having no other bands to be compared with, adding also the originality of their music is really difficult for them to have a bad review in every magazine all around the world. As you know pioneers and originators are those people that we show them respect. We can not say something against them or their music. And the only rival they have in each new album is just their selves with their past creation. We can only compare them. So, this album although is not better than "Battle Magic" as this was their zenith, it is much better than "Power Cosmic" and this makes it a very good album from a unique band. (7/10)

Apostolis "Pazuzu" for Metal Disorder fanzine

At last! The Brittanic barbarian gods return with their new fifth opus! Its title is "Atlantis Ascendant" and just from the cover you can understand that this return is absolutely unique! The cover represents a demonic shaman who leads the Atlantean armies to war over the pyramid of Onyx and a black moon high in the sky broods with the logo of Bal Sagoth on it! Fantastic! The album track by track goes like this:

1. THE EPSILON EXORDIUM: A sublime instrumental masterpiece! Barbaric drums with majestic keyboards welcome us to war! The sigil of battle is high and its time to follow it! This is the best way for this album to begin!

2. ATLANTIS ASCENDANT: And the story of Atlantis ascendant unfolds! Already a classic! This song includes all these Bal Sagoth elements from "Battle Magic! and "The Power Cosmic! albums. Great vocals from Byron, tremendous musical parts and a riding rhythm in the middle full of sublime heroism!

3. DRAGONIS ALBIONENSIS: This song begins with beautiful melodies taken from the heart of cosmos power! After the middle lowering part this opus transforms into a black metal cataclysm with demonic vocals, thundering guitars and a female choral symphony from the abyss! Unbelievable!

4. STAR-MAPS OF THE ANCIENT COSMOGRAPHERS: This is a new chapter for Bal Sagoth! Although it is a song full of the classical melodies of the group, it includes keyboards that create a vampiric atmosphere! The lowering parts are also here with the black metal outbursts! The choral symphonies creates a veil of darkness, an unbelievable atmosphere that comes to end this dramatical monument!

5. THE GHOSTS OF ANGHOR WAT: A haunted instrumental track the opens the path for the upcoming sixth opus titled:

6. THE SPLENDOUR OF A THOUSAND SWORDS GLEAMING BENEATH THE BLAZON OF THE HUPERBOREAN EMPIRE PART III: At last! The third part of Hyperborean trilogy is here and it's majestic! One of the most complicated songs Bal Sagoth has ever written! A lot of musical changes from black metal to symphonic parts, Byron at his best and in conclusion an opus that finishes this barbaric trilogy the best way!

7. THE DREAMER IN THE CATACOMBS OF UR: An oriental beginning and a fantastic black metal finish creates this classic track! An angry and wild Byron that spits the words with hate and a haunted choral symphony (a lot like the one of Cradle Of Filth) transforms the scenes of war and sorcery into reality!

8. IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CITIES OF ANTARCTICA: The most melodic song of the album. An epic atmosphere that is the best soundtrack for the Atlantean armies' marching!

9. THE CHRONICLE OF SHADOWS: Another really complicated song! A track filled with elation at the victory, a tremendous monument in Bal Sagoth history, this song will haunt your dreams forever!

10. SIX KEYS TO THE ONYX PYRAMID: A classic Bal Sagoth instrumental that finishes the album! It's time to listen it again!

This album is not a heavy metal album! It's a musical masterpiece! Bal Sagoth is not a heavy metal band! Bal Sagoth is a musical phenomenon! So, beware! Atlantis will ascend once more! Blodu Ok Jarna! (10/10)

Nick "Volrath the Fallen", Webmaster of the Empyreal Lexicon

THE POWER COSMIC REVIEWS

The British Warlords Bal Sagoth return with their 4th full-length release, to give us one more chance to travel in the world of epic fantasy. In the well-known trio (Byron Roberts, Johny & Chris Maudling) two more members come at their side, Dave Mackintosh and Mark Greenwell (probably as steady members). After listening to their previous album, "Battle Magic", I expected that they would turn to more mainstream and commercial sound, giving basis to the epic elements and abandoning Black metal. That didn't happen, fortunately. Bal Sagoth have found the style that satisfies them, and that style is no other than "Battle Magic" epic style. So, this release could be best described as a more mature version of their previous release. Musically, it moves in the same paths, i.e. an epic expression of avant-garde with black metal elements, fast rythms and tempo changes, aggressive drums, switches of brutal vocals to an epic narrative style (though the last one is the most used style this time), and most of all, a majestic atmosphere, that reminds of epic wars. The difference is mostly in the guitars, which are more melodic in parts. Also, they've increased the epic elements. The band has become more mature, and that is clearly seen from the way the different instruments and vocals are combined, despite the very complicated music. The greatest disadvantage of "Battle Magic" was that the songs didn't fit with each other. The same doesn't happen here, since every song now appears as a physical continuation of the previous. Their best work they've done so far. Listen to it and travel the endless paths of epic fantasy, full of wizards, brave warriors, fearsome dragons, horrific demons and selfish gods! (10/10)

Jim Batis for Seventh Sign Fanzine

Pagan warriors swathed in elder sorcery, summoning power from the ethereal gleam of the horned moon, swords dripping ever crimson with the spilled blood of a thousand epic battles... Bal Sagoth create the ultimate dark/symphonic metal album. Epic orchestral fantasies, masterfully magical music stepped in blooding atmosphere and thunderous power, enthralling saga entwined in the timeless mantle of high fantasy, tales of ancient realms, elder gods and epic battles. This CD contains 8 tracks of glorious metal. Hail the barbarian metal kings! Hail Bal Sagoth! Blodu Ok Jarna! (9/10)

Bill Kimpizis for Knights Of Sunrise Fanzine

SYNOPSIS:
There is a new metal power to reckon with, and it is "The Power Cosmic!". My initial review of this album said that it was good but that I needed to listen more to tell how good it was. At that time I noted that it was better than Battle Magic but not as good as Starfire Burning... Well, I take back that last statement. This IS as good as Starfire Burning... The Cosmic theme is really done well. The music and narrative vocals are both outstanding all the way through. The little used black metal vocals are
generic and average but most black metal vocals fall into this category. Speaking of vocals, Cosmic is vocally more in the style of Battle Magic than Starfire... but it is a hell of a lot better. This album is as grandiose and epic as it gets and that is what we have come to expect from Bal-Sagoth. Great job boys, it appears that your move to Nuclear Blast is a roaring success. "Let the DOMINATION continue..." This album is only about 40 minutes but you don't notice it one bit because the songs are so dense other than a really excellent short opening instrumental, the album is pure beef.

HOT SPOTS:
The Voyagers Beneath The Mare ImbriumThe Empyreal Lexicon
The Scourge Of The Fourth Celestial Host
Behold, The Armies Of War Descend Screaming From The Heavens
The Thirteen Cryptical Prophecies Of Mu

WHO WILL LIKE THIS:
Anyone who liked any of Bal-Sagoth's previous work. Fans of epic
storytelling albums. Sci-Fi fanatics.

WHO WILL NOT LIKE THIS:
It probably depends. This is not a standard heavy metal album but I don't
think any specific group will not like this. (91/100)

Matt "The Pirate" for Loot & Plunder Fanzine