Bathory: The Early Years, 1983-1987

Hailing from Sweden, BATHORY burst onto the scene in 1983.  Brainchild of one Quorthon (Tomas Forsberg), Bathory's songs first were unleashed on the world with two tracks on 1984's Scandinavian Metal Attack.  Bathory's early style was a more aggressive take on what Venom had done on Welcome to Hell and Black Metal (although Quorthon claimed never to have heard Venom prior to forming).  Combining Satanic-themed lyrics, lo-fi production, and a harsher, more inhuman vocal style, Bathory's sound is more clearly the template for modern black metal than Venom was.  In their early years, one can hear the influences Quorthon claimed: Black Sabbath and Motorhead, as well as punk bands like The Exploited, Discharge, and GBH.

Bathory's "You Don't Move Me (I Don't Give a Fuck)"

-an unreleased 1983 song which showcases their rawness-

Listening to Bathory's self-titled 1984 album and 1985's The Return one can clearly hear a strong contrast with Venom.  Venom's song structures and even production values still owe a large debt to NWOBHM.  Bathory is going in an entirely different direction.  Additionally, the Satanic/evil content of Bathory's songs was much more prominent:  simply look at titles such as "Hades," "In Conspiracy With Satan," "Possessed," and "Son of the Damned."

"Hades," off of the 1984 album.

As evidenced by the riffing and style in these early songs, the affinity with thrash metal can be heard (and this connection will be explored in a future post).  But to my ears, Bathory went a few steps beyond in terms of vocals, production, and playing style.  While Venom gave the world the term "black metal," I contend that there would be no 1990s Norwegian scene and everything it subsequently influenced if it weren't for Bathory.

"The Return of the Darkness and Evil," off of

1985's The Return

In these early years, Bathory's style peaked on what can be considered one of the greatest black metal albums of all time: 1987's Under the Sign of the Black Mark.  The great thing about this album is that every characteristic of black metal that was present in the earlier material is enhanced to the point where it sounds like the Scandinavian black metal of today.  In fact, songs like "Call from the Grave," "Equimanthorn," and "Woman of Dark Desires" are frequently still covered by black metal bands of all stripes.

"Equimanthorn"--the greatest black metal song of the 80s?

Following 1987's Under the Sign..., Bathory shifted gears completely and created the subgenre of black metal now known as Viking metal.  But that's for another day.....

Select Discography

Scandinavian Metal Attack compilation (1983)

Bathory (full-length) (1984)

Scandinavian Metal Attack II compilation (1985)

The Return (full-length) (1985)

Under the Sign of the Black Mark (full-length) (1987)

Tomorrow: HELLHAMMER