Customer Reviews

The Chthonic Chronicles

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

 

 

First of all, my review says 5 stars when I'd be more inclined to give it a 4.5, but alas one cannot rate by halves.

I don't know why this album is so good. It could be that I've eagerly anticipated it for about 3 years now, or it could be that as Bal-Sagoth's sixth album, they've polished their craft brighter than the shine of an unused sword. But there are no unused swords in the Bal-Sagoth universe. ;)

If you're a Bal-Sagoth fan, and you probably are if you're reading this, you know what to expect here. HOWEVER, gone is the cheesiness sometimes found in Sagoth's prior three releases, Atlantas Ascendant, Power Cosmic, and Battle Magic. Don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE all of their releases and I'm thrilled I could finally get my claws on this sixth (and final?) Bal-Sagoth recording.

Other than that expect more of the same. This album is their heavest, most black metalesque release to date. Yes, Byron still utilizes both black metal shrieks and his lower "narrator" voice, so to speak. The production quality is easily their best by far and Byron's black metal shrieks are somehow much better and far more fierce this time around.

I am a bit disappointed by the sticker on the cover of EVERY copy of "The Chthonic Chronicles" drawing parallels to both Star Wars and Cradle of Filth. This is just untrue, pretentious, and quite silly.

It's untrue because Bal-Sagoth don't write songs about vampires and star destroyers. It's pretentious because they are trying to sell albums by comparing themselves with Cradle of Filth, and it's silly because, well, record execs make stupid marketing decisions. I'm sure the band itself had nothing to do with this labeling so I'm not slamming them.

Besides, at this point Bal-Sagoth are far and away a better band than the once great Cradle of Filth. Just because both bands hail from the U.K doesn't make them alike musically.

With all that said definitely pick this up if you are a Bal-Sagoth fan, and if you're into this kind of metal but are not familiar with Bal-Sagoth's style pick it up and give it a shot.

At the time of this writing I'm still trying to decide if I like this more than my former favorite Bal-Sagoth release, their second album "Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule".

Bal-Sagoth: Get your asses to the U.S and do a tour already. You DO have fans here.

Fans: Don't wait - you can purchase this album from a certain big name metal website with the word "century" in it. I'm pretty sure I won't be allowed to plug a website here, so that's the only clue you get - that's where I got my copy.

Screw the May U.S.A release. Get it NOW and crank it up!

I've got to say that I REALLY like this new album. Even though I have enjoyed all the previous work of these metal masters this one is like taking all the creativity of the old records and mashing it in with a bunch of new stuff. Like More powerful synths, tighter arrangements, and by far the most catchy riffs I've heard in a Black Metal record in a while. The vocals are cool and do the guttural death voice to the higher screech wonderfully and I'm a big sucker for the boomng narration. So pretty much if you like great metal this is a great record. And if you're a Bal-Sagoth fan, this is a no brainer.

I love Bal-Sagoth, but this cd is really a big cluster of noise. Some may really like that.......but Ienjoy their earlier efforts, in which I can enjoy the tempo changes. It's ok imo.

This is a fantastic CD. Its intense, beautiful, catchy, powerful. . . I mean its got all the aspects that I would want in a band. You might have to be a nerd/geek (like me) to not get annoyed by the lyrics, which are nerdy and geeky. . . lol. . . oh well.

Pros:
Guitars: I only have two CD's of theirs, this one and the Power Cosmic, but I plan on getting Battle Magic soon. Anyway, based on those two CD's this one has more intense guitars. They sound a little deeper, they are, in my opinion, more technical, and they create a lot more catchy sounds like in Shackled to the Trilithon of Kutulu and Arcana Antediluvia. Way better in my opinion.
Drums: The drums are still fast paced, maybe even faster than before, and complex. They fit the music and they explode into action, its fantastic.
Vocals: I think he screams a lot more in this, so thats a plus for me. I really like his high pitched scream. His deep talking in this CD is also amazing. He really made it catchy in this CD I think than in the Power Cosmic, and it seems from the reviews that I have read that most people agree with this.
Keyboards: Omg, these are awesome. They sound like in there other CD's with their awesome fantasy sound but holy crap they made even better sounds, more intense sounds, more complex sounds, and waaaay more catchy sounds.

So basically everything in this band was already awesome, but this CD has their best work so far.

Cons:
Theres only one song that I didn't like on this CD: The Hammer of the Emperor. Most people like this song though, but I have no clue why. Its so boring. . . I zone out every time I hear this song. I guess its because its atmospheric? I don't know. . . I thought it was a boring atmosphere in that case

I'd like to say get this CD, but this is their best one yet and you might not want to get the other CD's if this is by far their best one. But then, if you get this one then your bound to get hooked on the band so you would want to get the other CD's. . . whatever, just get the CD someday

if you want a really cool trip, put this album on! one thing is for sure, these guys are super smart, because the titles have alot of fancy words in them. unlike "The Power Cosmic", the guitar and keyboards work together, without one overpowering the other. think of these guys as Kovenant on steroids. Bal Sagoth is another band that proves that black metal doesn't have to be about Satan.

I like this album. I've listened to it twice now and I know something is there, but it's so thick I haven't found it yet. If you want to challenge yourself with this type of black fantasy metal go for it, if you're looking for something more accessible maybe start with Atlantis Ascendant.

Listening to the 6th studio effort by this band, you might start to think that they are repeating themselves yet again. But the more you listen, you realize that even though it's still the same thing they do over and over, they add sufficient dynamics to keep the songs fresh. A movie score-like number sets the ground for this record, and from there the band does their absolute best to mesmerize us with their best songs in years. Pompous, brilliantly orchestrated symphonic battle/black metal with an emphasis on ultra-epic segments causing a maelstrom of majestic moments is what the band gives and without a doubt, they are the absolute masters at it. 4.5/5

If you like anything bal sagoth has done in the past, you will love this album. This album takes the best of what they have to offer musically and expands on it. Song structure and musical prowess are improved this time around. New drummer, triggered drums, can sound a little machine like at times, hence the four star rating. Flawless production, but not too clean. Worth the wait!