The Power Cosmic - Bal Sagoth

The record label, acclaimed German Metal label Nuclear Blast, describes this album as "A masterpiece of Symphonic Orchestral Dark Metal". This album sure is symphonic and orchestral, and I could add to that epic and bombastic, but dark? This album is up-beat, fast and melodic. Sure, there are darker moments, but the atmosphere is more like that of a film or a cartoon, where the hero gets into trouble, but you know everything will be fine. For those who are not acquainted with the band, Bal Sagoth is fast, melodic metal that relies a lot on symphonic synth melodies, although there are plenty of guitar leads, and as a fundment under it all: Heavy ...  Read the complete review

There was never a more appropriate time for Bal-Sagoth to release something refreshingly different to save fans from the increasingly stale tendencies of their albums, and 'The Power Cosmic' succeeds brilliantly in interrupting the flow of their narrative saga by injecting some contradictory science fiction themes and even a slight space opera musical style, though not to the extent of something like Ayreon. The move to experienced metal label Nuclear Blast also allowed for an improvement in the production sound and even the artwork, making this a much more satisfying affair than the albums that surround it, even if it has the potential to turn many old-school fans ...  Read the complete review