Bal-Sagoth are a Symphonic Black Metal band from Yorkshire, England. Originally formed as a black metal band, vocalist/lyricist Byron Roberts took the name 'Bal-Sagoth' from the Robert E. Howard short story "The Gods of Bal-Sagoth". Their first demo was recorded in 1993, and Bal-Sagoth have since released three albums on Cacophonous, and three with Nuclear Blast. History Early Days 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 myths & legends." Inspired by such writers as Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Jack Kirby, Byron set out to create his own dark fantasy universe, with tales told through epic lyrics and music. In 1993, Byron joined forces with brothers Chris and Jonny Maudling, forming what would become the writi