BAL SAGOTH, KULL : Chris Maudling interview

Chris Maudling, Bal Sagoth and Kull guitarist speak about Bal Sagoth‘s story but as well about his side project called Kull and the first incoming album.

Hi Chris ! How are you and how Bal Sagoth and Kull aredoing ?

Hi, yeah doing fine thanks. As usual we are pushing time limits to completing the first Kull album. Nothing changes here.

Let’s speak a little bit about your introduction to music, how did you fall into it ?

Thanks to mother for that as she made me do piano lessons from about 5 years old.

I hated doing it as I missed all my favorite cartoons back then. I had 2 siblings, Jonny, and my younger sister Katherine. Every Monday after school, we came home and then our piano teacher turned up. We all had extra tuition but for music. I hated it!

What was your musician / band inspiration at this time ? What are your musician / band inspiration now?

OK, so I guess the first person to make me want to play guitar was James Hetfield from Metallica. I had no real aspirations to play anything other than what I had learnt during childhood. All the music was 80s stuff when I was growing up, pop music etc. It wasn’t until I got into metal that I wanted to truly play an instrument.

Do you remember the first concerts you saw?

Yes, it was my brother supporting Xentrix, he was in a band called Igniter. I used to follow Jonny’s band and try to video them whenever I could.

And on the other side, do you have some souvenirs about your first gig ? Does everything was allright as execpted ?

My first gig was with Bal-Sagoth at the Devils Church pub somewhere in London, probably Camden. Not sure to be honest but anyway. We all went in a broken down van and managed to play the show. That was around ’94.

How did you learn music/guitar ?

Coming from a musical piano home life, the guitar was strange but suited me. So I guess it was self-taught but a labor of love.

What was your first guitar model?

My friend Ivan sold me a white Yamaha guitar for £20. I can’t remember the model but it was single coil and awesome to an 19 year old kid!

I really appreciate your guitar composition, the melodies are always warm and colorful. What is your way to get it? How do you go beyond the boundary of metal ?

It’s a tough question to answer as I had Jonny writing music on the keyboard. He didn’t care what key the music was in and wouldn’t change it just for guitar. So I had to write riffs around the musical score, no matter what key it was in. Unknown to us, this is what separated us from the normal way of composing. It made us totally different from the other bands out at the time.

Do you create the “tabs” for each instruments by your own or do you do it with others Bal Sagoth members ?

No, we teach the guys what to play once the song is written. I show the bass guitarist what he should do, as well for the drummer. They actually have no input at all. The drummer is given free range for fills etc.

What is your live rig / studio gears?

When I started I took my own rig with me, Peavey 5150. These days the promoter hires your gear in. I am familiar with Peavey equipment but have also loved play through a Mesa Boogie rig. The recent Kull show I played, I went though a Hughes and Kettner Switchblade which was awesome. I use a Axe FX 2 to record.

Could you please share some information about your gear (guitar, amp, pedals) for each album?

For “A Black Moon Broods over Lemuria” and “Starfire Burning upon the Ice-veiled Throne of Ultima Thule” I used a Marshall Vavlestate 100.

“Battle Magic” was the Peavey 5150, “Atlantis Ascendant” was a Marshall???(that all I know)

“The Chtonic Chronicles” was a Pod XT Pro. No pedals were used as all effects were post.

What are a standard guitar warm up / training for you?

I don’t warm up to be honest. I take it you mean before a gig? We just get together as a band and play the stuff. Adrenalin is our helper.

Which advice could you provide to a new and advanced player ?

Just keep practicing, I have no real advice. You either want to do it or not. It’s down to the individual.

I can tell you this though; when I was learning it took all my time and effort. And I mean ALL MY TIME. No one told me what to do. If you want to learn you will. Pick a song, for me it was Seek and Destroy and play along to the CD. Start off on the easy stuff and gradually work your way through the ages. There is no quick path to learn the guitar. I’m still learning it now.

On a weekly basis, about how much time do you spend practicing ?

I used to practice all the time, but I kinda got to where I want to be for Bal Sagoth and Kull, so I just rehearse weekly with the guys. Song writing for me is priority because without a good song you guitar skills are for nothing.

Bal Sagoth is not so “easy to listen” for few people. The rhythms change a lot, as well the different style of guitar, keyboard, vocals and so one. Which Bal Sagoth album do you recommend to a “new comer” ?

Well I don’t know to be honest. I don’t think of the albums as complicated. I will say this… put one on and if you don’t like it then Bal-Sagoth isn’t for you. You cannot force someone to like something and if you did then it’s all horseshit. I have come across people that I have had to show my albums to, normally family members. It’s down to the individual I guess and one of the cool points about discovering a band.

If you will have to give one or two words about each Bal Sagoth album, which words will choose to describe them one by one ?

A Black Moon Broods over Lemuria : Dark (2 week rush)

Starfire Burning upon the Ice-veiled Throne of Ultima Thule : Unexpected Brilliance

Battle Magic : 3 People: Byron (Vocals), Johnny (Keys/Drums), Me (Bass/Guitars). Really hard album that one.

The Power Cosmic : Satisfied. SPACE SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Atlantis Chronicles : Great songs (wish I had use guitar from Cosmic)

The Chtonic Chronicles : Passion

You are active as well in Kull, your side project band, may we know when does an album may be release ? What do you we have to expect?

As I type this, we are completing the last song. All I can say is the force behind the musical side of Bal Sagoth wrote Kull. I wanted it to be Bal Sagoth album 7. But as it is this Kull album # 1.

As you know Bal Sagoth opens the gate of a new “avant garde metal” style to many band. What do you think about the new atmo / avant garde metal scene ?

I have no clue. If we inspired bands then great. I’m still looking forward for my bands. I am not ready to sit back and rest on past works. We have accomplished nothing in my mind yet.

Which albums are you listening? Which albums are for you see as “masterwork” ?

Not listening to any albums, Master of Puppets and Reign In Blood seem pretty much perfect though. Deicide’s first album is cool too.

What is your best recording or gigs souvenir ?

Probably Byron and Leon buying switchblades from Germany.

Do you have a last word for the french reader ?

Yes!!! Byron will back me up on this. Our best shows have been in front of a French crowd. You guys made the most noise when we gigged with both Emperor and Dark Funeral. We all agreed that France was the best place to play 🙂 I hope to return there playing for both Kull and Bal Sagoth and thanks for all the support over the years. I really appreciate it!