Bal-Sagoth

Bal-Sagoth are a Symphonic Black Metal band from Yorkshire, England. Originally formed as a death metal band, the band took the name 'Bal-Sagoth' from the Robert E. Howard short story "The God

Bal-Sagoth are a Symphonic Black Metal band from Yorkshire, England. Originally formed as a death metal band, the band took the name 'Bal-Sagoth' from the Robert E. Howard short story "The Gods of Bal-Sagoth". Their first demo was released in 1993, and Bal-Sagoth have since released three albums on Cacophonous, and three with Nuclear Blast.

Bal-Sagoth was conceived in 1989 by Byron Roberts, in an attempt to form what he called "A sublimely symphonic black/death metal band swathed in a concept of dark fantasy/science fiction and ancient myth & legendary." Inspired by such writers as Robert E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft, and Edgar Rice Burroughs, Byron set out to create his own dark fantasy universe, with tales told through music. In 1993, Byron joined forces with brothers Chris and Jonny Maudling, forming what would become the writing core of the band. With Chris on guitar, and Jonny on drums, the band enlisted bassist Jason Porter and keyboardist Vincent Crabtree, and recorded their first demo in late 1993. More of a straight ahead death metal effort with symphonic elements, the demo attracted the attention of Cacophonous Records, who signed the band to a three album deal.