Bathory:

The metal world was thrown back by the ungodly sounds that the Swedish band Bathory let out in the early 80s. Arguably one of the first true black metal bands, Bathory had a major influence on the sudden rise in the genre during the early 90s. Bathory would eventually evolve into an epic, Viking metal solo project that oozed a darkened atmosphere. The band ended with the death of front man Quorthon in 2004.

Early Days:

Bathory formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Quorthon. Throughout the early years, the line-up constantly changed, with Quorthon being the only constant member. During this time, a self-titled album was released in 1984, which gained a small following and is considered by many to be one of the first pure black metal albums.

Throughout the rest of the ‘80s, Bathory fine-tuned their blackened sound, winning over the ears of an underground community more than happy to open its arms to the tormented Swedes. 1985’s The Return… and 1987’s Under The Sign Of The Black Mark only further staked the band’s position as a pioneer of a genre that was slowly growing as the years went on.

A Shift In Sound:

1988 was a major year for the band. The first solid lineup was formed, as drummer Vvornth and bassist Kothaar rounded out the band. Bathory’s fourth release, Blood Fire Death, was also the first to showcase a more Viking-ish sound, adding in more multi-faceted song structures and longer numbers.

This direction would be fully integrated by the time their next album Hammerheart came out in 1990.

In the mid ‘90s, Bathory shifted gears again, heading towards a thrash metal vibe on 1994’s Requiem and 1995’s Octagon. Fans reacted strongly to the new sound, but not in the way the band intended. Most disapproved of Bathory’s sudden change, yearning for the glory of the early days.

Quorthon Solo:

After 1996’s Blood On Ice, Bathory took five years to release a follow-up. At this point, the band had only Quorthon as a member. He handled all the vocal and instrumental work on Destroyer Of Worlds, which was a turning point that led to a return to the Viking metal sound on 2002’s Norland I. The sequel would come a year later, but that would be the last true output from the band.

The End Of Bathory:

Tragedy struck Bathory with the death of Quorthon in 2004 due to heart failure. In 2006, In Memory Of Quorthon was released, a posthumous album that featured re-mastered versions of songs from Bathory and a solo project under his name.

If You Like Bathory, You Might Want To Check Out:

Venom,Emperor, Enslaved

Final Bathory Lineup:

Quorthon- Vocals, All Instruments

Former Bathory Bank Members:

Freddan- Bass (1983-1984)
Kothaar- Bass (1988-1996)
Jonas Åkerlund- Drums (1983-1984)
Vvornth- Drums (1988-1996)

Bathory Discography

1984 Bathory (Black Mark)
1985 The Return… (Black Mark)
1987 Under The Sign Of The Black Mark (Black Mark)
1988 Blood Fire Death (Black Mark)
1990 Hammerheart (Black Mark)
1991 Twilight Of The Gods (Black Mark)
1994 Requiem (Black Mark)
1995 Octagon (Black Mark)
1996 Blood On Ice (Black Mark)
2001 Destroyer Of Worlds (Black Mark)
2002 Norland I (Black Mark)
2003 Norland II (Black Mark)

Recommended Bathory Album

Bathory
While future albums would be more fine-tuned and cleaner, there is no doubting the sheer ferocity that is on display on Bathory’s self-titled debut. Bathory released ten tracks of immense brutality and speed. While there was only 26 minutes of music, including two instrumental tracks that opened and closed the album, Bathory makes a statement that resonated deep within the underground. The album is not the least bit technical or flashy, but it is direct and to-the-point in its sonic assault, leaving a mark that still remains to this day.