All the usual wonderful features are present: the tacky epic synth intros, endless "Obi Wan Kenobi" vocal narratives, the hideous choking-on-a-cheeto-while-scratching-a-nail-on-a-chalkboard vocals of Byron Roberts, and the laughable adolescent preoccupation with fantasy animation and comic-strip-styled tales of interstellar battles among alien planets.

Yes, folks, the musicianship and production are admittedly superb, but these guys aren't going to win any awards for innovation. Indeed, I could have forgiven all else if only they could write a decent song. Hell, I even liked CRADLE OF FILTH's "Midian", and I don't ordinarily like CoF. Now that I think of it, BAL-SAGOTH's brand of "Cosmic Battle Metal" sounds very much like a less-inspired, less bombastic CoF, albeit with more of a Viking Metal-influence, but without the benefit of having at least one good song (except for maybe "The Dreamer In The Catacombs Of Ur").

Anyway, sounds like typical BS to me. Makes a good frisbee, though...