Customer Reviews

Atlantis Ascendant

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before I get to results of one of the hardest dissections I've had to perform for Metal Review, I'd like to set the record straight about the history between Bal-Sagoth and me. The fact is that I don't have a history with this well known band that hails from the other side of the Atlantic in the UK. The reason I feel this needs to come out in the open here is because this album is actually the fifth chapter in an ongoing story written by founder/leader/frontman Byron Roberts. Without having had the chance to read, I mean hear the first four chapters of the story, I feel it's almost impossible for me to give this album the full justice it deserves. Nevertheless, dissections are what The Prophets perform here at Metal Review, and our scalpels are as sharp as they've every been. So, here we go.

This album starts off with the ever so common use of soundtrack influenced orchestration done completely with the use of keyboards. I hope I've done my homework here because I couldn't find one bit of evidence leading me to believe the violins, cellos, flutes, horns, etc., were done any other way. That is my first problem with Atlantis Ascendant. With so many musicians able to provide the real deal as far as orchestras go, why not use what is out there? Now some may argue that there isn't very much difference between today's keyboard/studio technology and authentic strings or brass, but I'd have to say the difference is quite noticeable in most cases. I respect the use of keyboards and I'd even like to incorporate them in my half-assed writing someday, but if I was to involve strings or horns, it would have to be the true sound of actual instrumentation. With all this bitching having been spewed out so far I do want to state that the keyboard playing is professional and, along with the vocals, pretty much stands out more than any of the other elements.

Speaking of the vocals, they are stellar in some cases, however there are moments on this release where the talking over the music gets under my skin. I can handle a little bit of reciting here and there, but believe me when I tell you that the vocal department consists of 25% blackish growls and the rest involving simple story telling commentary. Not to be brutally honest here, but if I wanted to hear that I'd go buy a couple Stephen King books on CD (I can't think of the name of those things) and listen to them on the dreadful ride to and from work everyday. I will give Byron credit here though, he is one intelligently talented writer. The story that he is currently writing is brilliantly displayed in his own words, and I can't imagine what goes on in his mind while he sits and writes this stuff. I mean, there's even a map at the website that shows you all these cities, continents and bodies of water he speaks of. I'll admit it's not my cup of tea as my lyrical rating will confirm, but I will give credit where credit is due for his unique writing ability.

If you were to take away all the keyboard elements and all the vocal arrangements I swear the music underneath is perfect for high grade power metal. This isn't a bad thing, because it fits the ultimate concept Bal-Sagoth is conveying to the listener through the music. I say this only because the riffs are extremely simple yet very effective to the overall message coming from this band. The bassist pretty much follows the guitars the entire time and the drumming is adequate to their musical warfare. I hate having to compare bands to other bands and I'm not even sure I could compare them to any, but to be honest there is one band that does come to mind on occasion and all I'll say is that they also reside in the UK.

I can't say that Atlantis Ascendant is going to get much playing time here in Soullessville, but it has intrigued me enough to want to go back in time with this band and experience their back catalogue. There are times when I listen to this disc that the music does hook me in enough to appreciate what they are doing. These are talented and gifted musicians, and after I've read the first four chapters to this ongoing saga I'm almost certain I'll be able to appreciate this release as well as any future releases Bal-Sagoth will provide for today's scene.

Favorite Track: The Splendour Of A Thousand Swords Gleaming Beneath The Blazon Of The Hyperborean Empire (Part: III)

Bal-Sagoth has done it again! This is their latest, and 5th album, and the second one to get wide north american distribution. Amazing music here.. It's hard to describe to someone who hasn't heard it. I like to think of it as something like a Fantasy Opera, or Movie Soundtrack. The lyrics and story behind the album are amazing and intriguing. Byron, the lyricist, is truly a gifted writer. I cannot recommend these guys enough. Check it out!

Prepare for an epic journey into the deep unknown and the deeply esoteric and mystical realms! Atlantis Ascendant is an amazing album in many respects. Sure, it may sound cheesy and a little over the top to most, but its fantasy symphonic metal. Its full of synth horns and strings and dramatic encounters and arcane lyrics, pounding double bass and shredding guitars. To me, the lyrics have to be what catches me, being of a narritive and well written nature. Each song is a story in its own right and paints quite the picture for the listener. I'm not one to delve into the songs and describe everything about this album. I will tell it like it is. If you enjoy fantasy, metal, and fantasy symphonic metal with great stories and a deep sense of mystic lore, check this album out! I admit I purchased this album based on the art work and the title, but I am a sucker for ancient and arcane lore. Trust me, if your into such things, you will enjoy this. But you MUST understand, this album transcends much of what you have heard elsewhere. It is NOT for those square music listeners who prefer their music all neatly wrapped up in a rational box. This is like NOTHING you have ever heard before. They are truly unique and original. There may be imitatiors, and many other symphonic metal bands out there for that matter, but not like this!

This album was my introduction to Bal-Sagoth. After wanting to get in on the jokes a friend was making about the grossly obtuse song titles ("And lo, when the Imperium marches against Cul-Kothoth, then dark sorceries shall enshroud the Citadel of the Obsidian Crown" is my favorite from Starfire. Come on, how can you not find that absolutely hilarious?), I decided to give Atlantis Ascendant a whirl. The first thing I thought about when I heard the first track, was "Warcraft II." It sounds like the soundtrack to that entire game. Now I know that sounds nerdy, but if you think about it, it's in agreement with Sagoth's entire persona. It's quite obvious that this band would appeal most to D&D playing, Terry Brooks reading, Metal music liking, Tolkien-ites, so there's no point in making excuses for it. And you know what, they do it better than anyone else. So if you generally frown upon those activities, well then there's no real point in listening to BS. You'd never get past the lyrics or the synthesizers. Otherwise, anyone could learn to appreciate BS's talents. The songs are very melodic with a series of well placed hooks that grab you and keep you interested. The tone can be dark and brooding at times, yet nicely balanced by uplifting passages at others. And Bal-Sagoth's greatest talent is structure; the ability to tie all of these pseudo-concept album measures into a cohesive whole that flows from beginning to end.

Atlantis Ascendant is a great album for sure, and is no great departure from the music of the earlier albums. It's only a continuation of this genre that I call Battle Metal, with a different story to tell. Kind of like every Iron Maiden album is different, but you always know it's Maiden. The only reason I give AA 4 of 5 stars is because I simply like Power Cosmic and Battle Magic better. No other reason.

Anyone who listens to any of Bal Sagoth's albums will automatically recognize the awesome songwriting skills of Byron. He could easily write fantasy novels for a living, and I dare say that they would rival most of the current stuff out there.
Musically, this album is solid. You don't have to be a fan of Black Metal to appreciate it either. Bal Sagoth's sound has a little of everything for everyone. The only complaint that I have is the weak sounding keyboard. It doesn't do anything for the songs, and it isn't at all like listening to a Cradle of Filth or Dimmu Borgir album where the extra keyboard and symphonic elements add an epic quality to the music.
All in all though, this is a solid album, and a good record for a newbie of Black Metal to cut their teeth on.

This album is very nostalgic for me. I used to play Magic the gathering and other nerdy Fantasy games and read fantasy books. This is about all that stuff, about heros vanquishing monsters, dragons, tombs, lost citys, and triumpant battles. The music itself is actually composed very well. Its is complicated, atmospheric and symphonic. The only problem is the vocals which are either James Earl Jones style or a high pictched metal growl. The 2 voices often converse with eachother as enemys but I think the album would be a lot better with a low pitched metal growl, it gets confusing in the different stories because sometimes the high pitched growl and James Earl Jones are companions and in other storys they are adversiaries. The storys themselvs are well written. So I would give this album 5 stars but because of the vocals i have to give it 4. It still is very good.
Another bonus is that the album insert witch is a Captains Log of some sort smells strongly of Magic:The Gathering Cards.

But, then all five of their albums are in the best CDs I own category. This album sounds like another forty-five minutes of Starfire. So, if you liked Starfire, you'll like this.

Byron's lyrics are always great (Yea! See how many Robert E. Howard quotes you recognize!). His vocals are among my favorite extreme vocals, and his spoken vocals (althought sounding like a combic book narrator) are excellent. Chris's guitar playing has never been extremely great, but at least he can play it the same way twice (doubled guitar panned left and right). Their new bassist is a great addition. Their new drummer is a much better (technical) drummer than Jonny was (I think Jonny was more tasteful though).

And then there are those keyboards. Someone should lock Byron and Jonny outside the Mixing room during mixdown, and turn the keyboards DOWN! Now, if you turn the music up to max volume, then the keyboards get set right in the mix, but at ACCEPTABLE levels (read: not loud enough to wake the dead) the keyboards stomp on the entire mix. Only Black Moon didn't suffer from this, all four others do. That, and Jonny is a cheese factory. He writes video games music (I have nothing against video games music, I own several game soundtracks). He should be stopped, permanently, he should be writing music for the upcoming Conan movie (by the way, it ACTUALLY is going follows the REH stories, as closely as humanly possible), not Extreme Metal.

Speaking of Extreme Metal, it would be alot easier if everyone just adopted my classification of music, and refered to Bal-Sagoth as Extreme (Being like black metal, death metal, dark metal, war metal, et cetera; characterized by the distorted speed picking, blast beats, straight double bass, extreme vocals, et cetera) Fantasy Metal (Fantasy metal being like "Luca Turilli," "Rhapsody," "Demons and Wizards," et cetera; they like to call it Epic or Syphonic metal sometimes). Doesn't that seem to fit the band. Extreme Fantasy Metal.

This album also includes my favorite Bal-Sagoth song, #8 "In Search of the Lost Cities of Antarctica."...

I became an avid fan of Bal Sagoth after I listened "The Power Cosmic" in a record store two years ago and instantly bought it. Since then, I sought everything I could get from them. I think all their albums are wonderful, except the first one "A Black Moon Brooms Over Lemuria," which I haven't heard.
The music of Bal Sagoth employs certain Black Metal trademarks (the guttural screamed vocals and the occasional blast beats) but mostly it has a very distinctive identity. Imagine the symphonic music of film-score composers Basil Poledouris and John Williams, as arranged for fantasy adventure films like "Star Wars" and "Conan the Barbarian," then add crunchy metallic riffs and a general speed metal feel with black metal influences and you have Bal Sagoth. As it happens, my musical tastes range from all kind of film music composers to progressive rock bands like Rush, to extreme metal like Morbid Angel, so you can see Bal Sagoth amply satisfies my musical cravings. It helps also that their style is completely original and emotive.
I also enjoy the visual and lyrical imagery they use for their records. The cover art of the albums is beautiful. Byron, the vocalist, writes complete Sword and Sorcery sagas for the lyrics, and even performs the dialogue in the songs. Byron's fiction reminds me of the old pulp tales of Robert Howard, Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith, and it matches the dramatic music perfectly.
If you love Sal Sagoth like me, then you'll dig "Atlantis Ascendant" immediately. The best songs are #3, #4 and #9, but the entire album is very enjoyable. It doesn't digress much from the established style from previous albums, except perhaps on the keyboards, which, generally, sound more `ghostly' and ethereal than the pounding orchestral sound of, say, "Battle Magic."
If you enjoy dramatic symphonic music and sword and sorcery fiction, and also like Heavy Metal and its sub-genres, "Atlantis Ascendant" is a treat.

I realy like bal sagoth and this is a good album but It sounds like alot of there previus albums well not like battle magic, or a black broods over lemuria those albums are good too but power cosmic and Star Fire Burning Upon the Ice-veild Throne of Ultima Thule and Atlantis Ascendant sound very much alike. That does not mean they are bad albums

I realy like bal sagoth and this is a good album but It sounds like alot of there previus albums well not like battle magic, or a black broods over lemuria those albums are good too but power cosmic and Star Fire Burning Upon the Ice-veild Throne of Ultima Thule and Atlantis Ascendant sound very much alike. That does not mean they are bad albums