- Apr 5, 2003
- 2,668
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Bal-Sagoth - The Chthonic Chronicles
Nuclear Blast - CDL302/1498A - 2006
By Brandon Strader
Bal-Sagoth is treading the line between black, and symphonic metal... Their new album, "The Chthonic Chronicles", begins with a somewhat creepy composition, similar to something you may hear playing at a haunted house - the fake ones, of course.. Dialogue spoken with a mighty fervor calls forth the string ensembles, and jungle-beats welcome the oncoming conceptual masterpeice.
The orchestrations are strung with chaos, and the vampiric narration frightens young ones. Haunting operatic vocals with a soft presence subtley slide through the songs. The music is not so pleasant for long, however. The diversity of the album is astounding, with screams of a lower pitch than the usual, and increased emphasis on the syllabals.
The vampiric narration, although spooky and passionate, seems overly corny at times, and at others downright intolerable! Despite this minor annoyance, "The Chthonic Chronicles" still manages to be one to remember. The symphonic elements are extraordinarily strong and almost constantly played throughout. Overall, the music seems like a real black metal opera of sorts.
8.5/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Bal-Sagoth Website
Official Nuclear Blast Website
Nuclear Blast - CDL302/1498A - 2006
By Brandon Strader
Bal-Sagoth is treading the line between black, and symphonic metal... Their new album, "The Chthonic Chronicles", begins with a somewhat creepy composition, similar to something you may hear playing at a haunted house - the fake ones, of course.. Dialogue spoken with a mighty fervor calls forth the string ensembles, and jungle-beats welcome the oncoming conceptual masterpeice.
The orchestrations are strung with chaos, and the vampiric narration frightens young ones. Haunting operatic vocals with a soft presence subtley slide through the songs. The music is not so pleasant for long, however. The diversity of the album is astounding, with screams of a lower pitch than the usual, and increased emphasis on the syllabals.
The vampiric narration, although spooky and passionate, seems overly corny at times, and at others downright intolerable! Despite this minor annoyance, "The Chthonic Chronicles" still manages to be one to remember. The symphonic elements are extraordinarily strong and almost constantly played throughout. Overall, the music seems like a real black metal opera of sorts.
8.5/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Bal-Sagoth Website
Official Nuclear Blast Website
