BAL-SAGOTH · Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule | CD

CD in jewelcase with 32-page booklet.

Background information about 'Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule'

There are albums that define genres, and then there's Starfire Burning upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule — the kind of record that doesn't just push boundaries but builds entire new worlds. Bal-Sagoth's second opus, originally unleashed in 1996, stands as a monolithic cornerstone of symphonic fantasy black metal, and this 30th anniversary reissue via Darkness Shall Rise Productions brings it roaring back with a freshly remastered sound that does justice to its epic grandeur.

From the moment the orchestral intro of Black Dragons Soar Above the Mountain of Shadows kicks in, you know you're in for something utterly unique. Byron Roberts' unmistakable narration — part Shakespearean actor, part deranged warlock — weaves tales of ancient sorcery and cold steel over a bed of relentless blastbeats, symphonic keyboard layers, and razor-sharp guitar work. Tracks like To Dethrone the Witch-Queen of Mytos K'unn and the title track itself are pure adrenaline shots of cinematic black metal fury. The production by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony breathes new life into these recordings, giving the low-end more punch while preserving that raw, otherworldly atmosphere.

This isn't just a reissue — it's a time machine back to the golden age of extreme metal when bands weren't afraid to be theatrical, over-the-top, and utterly majestic. The 32-page booklet includes never-before-seen photos and an in-depth interview with Byron Roberts conducted by Olivier "Zoltar" Badin. Essential for anyone who worships at the altar of symphonic black metal.

For fans of: Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Limbonic Art

Track listing

1. Black Dragons Soar Above the Mountain of Shadows (Prologue)
2. To Dethrone the Witch-Queen of Mytos K'unn (The Legend of the Battle of Blackhelm Vale)
3. As the Vortex Illumines the Crystalline Walls of Kor-Avul-Thaa
4. Starfire Burning upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule
5. Journey to the Isle of Mists (Over the Moonless Depths of Night-Dark Seas)
6. The Splendour of a Thousand Swords Gleaming Beneath the Blazon of the Hyperborean Empire
7. And Lo, When the Imperium Marches Against Gul-Kothoth, Then Dark Sorceries Shall Enshroud the Citadel of the Obsidian Crown
8. Summoning the Guardians of the Astral Gate
9. In the Raven-Haunted Forests of Darkenhold, Where Shadows Reign and the Hues of Sunlight Never Dance
10. At the Altar of the Dreaming Gods (Epilogue)

Manufacturer: Darkness Shall Rise Productions, Lengenfelder Straße 58, 08107 Kirchberg, Germany, Contact: darknessshallrise.de