On The Power Cosmic, their first album to be released domestically in the U.S. since their recording career began in 1995, English death-metallers Bal Sagoth blend the cruel symphonic elegance of Scandinavian black metal with fantasy/sci-fi-obsessed lyrics and the chilling Gothic overtones of countrymen Cradle of Filth. It all makes for a pretty original sound within the group's chosen genre, and a fine entry point for American audiences. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
The Power Cosmic is Bal-Sagoth's fourth album, released in 1999. The album was Bal-Sagoth's first with Nuclear Blast. This was the first Bal-Sagoth album to not contain a full lyric booklet (on their earlier releases, they would include a lyric booklet that contained not only song lyrics but an accompanying story by vocalist/lyricist Byron Roberts). The full version of the lyrics, designed by the official webmaster Jamie Thomson were later released on the band's website and in the Russian sub-licensed edition of the album. [1]
The primary story within the album is that of Zurra, a rogue demigod who is released from his imprisonment beneath the Mare Imbrium and searches space to reassemble the powerful Empyreal Lexicon. The song "Of Carnage and a Gathering of the Wolves" takes place in Darkenhold forest, a location last referenced in track 9 of the album Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule.
"The Scourge of the Fourth Celestial Host" references Marvel Comics hero The Silver Surfer battling the Fourth Celestial Host. Within the lyrics, The Silver Surfer is referred to by the name Norrin-Radd, Thor is referenced by mention of his "uru hammer", and Galactus is referred to by the name Galan of Taa. The celestials Arishem and Exitar, the watcher Uatu, and Shalla-Bal are also referenced within the song and lyrics. The album title itself, The Power Cosmic, is a reference to the superpowers possessed by Galactus and the Silver Surfer, and was chosen primarily because Byron Roberts is a great admirer of Marvel Comics and particularly the works of Jack Kirby, as mentioned in the 50th issue of the magazine "The Jack Kirby Collector".
Track listing
"The Awakening of the Stars" 1.30
"The Voyagers Beneath the Mare Imbrium" 4.37
"The Empyreal Lexicon" 6.02
"Of Carnage and a Gathering of the Wolves" 6.00
"Callisto Rising" 4.32
"The Scourge of the Fourth Celestial Host" 6.39
"Behold, the Armies of War Descend Screaming from the Heavens!" 5.54
