Distinctive and at times dissonant synth infested metal journey (A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria - Bal Sagoth)

Member Name: cognition

Product:	A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria - Bal Sagoth
Date:	05/11/08 (180 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Original, Distinct, Shows signs of what was to come, the most sinister Bal-Sagoth album

Disadvantages: Not as accomplished as later Bal-Sagoth albums

Bal-Sagoth is today well known for their epic symphonic Metal. While the band's debut album still fits this description, it is a very different album from all the later Bal-Sagoth albums.

"A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria" is by far the most sinister Bal-Sagoth album. The guitars, that form the backbone of the music, are rooted in fairly straight forward death metal stylings, with the occasional hint of doom, and even a hint of the typical Bal Sagoth lead guitar melody lines. There are plenty of keyboards, but unlike later Bal-Sagoth albums, the keyboards are not trying to emulate a symphonic orchestra. Plenty of synthetic string sounds are used, but more as a means to create atmosphere through dissonant chord pads than to create an intricate symphony.

In terms of vocal performance, the album does feature the well known black metal inspired screech that we know from the Bal-Sagoth of today, as well as the deep spoken voice. There are even some traditional deep, guttural death metal vocals on here!

"A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria" is a distinct and enjoyable album, althought not at all as accomplished as later albums. The album gets points for being original and different, although it can't hold my interest throughout the entire album. This is only for hardcore fans or the especially interested I think.

Summary: Bal-Sagoth's debut album from 1995