Bathory: The Viking Metal Years, 1988-1991

Bathory is crucially important in the history of black metal for two distinct reasons.  First, for taking the template laid down by Venom on Black Metal and shifting the early black metal sound away from speed metal and/or NWOBHM; second, for creating the subgenre of Viking metal in the later 1980s.

Bathory in the Viking Metal years

After their old style pretty much peaked on 1987's Under the Sign of the Black Mark, Bathory shifted gears with 1988's Blood Fire Death.  This album saw a move away from the darker, more Satanic atmosphere of the early work, with crisper-sounding guitars, clean vocals, and imagery and lyrical themes drawn from elements of Scandinavian mythology.

"A Fine Day to Die" is one of Bathory's most famous songs from this period

On Blood Fire Death, the changes from the earlier period were not as radical as they would later become, but they were present nonetheless.  One could hear the guitar sound begin to shift from the vile, raw, down-tuned sound of old-school black metal.  The vocals were not always a demonic screech.  And the songs were long, epic soundscapes.

My favorite from this period in Bathory's history, "Baptised In Fire and Ice"

With 1990's Hammerheart, the shift was more pronounced.  More varied tempos, clearer-sounding vocals, rousing choruses, and a guitar sound that was crisp and almost regal.  Just as Bathory had redefined extreme music with their first three albums, they redefined it again with their next three albums.

Off of 1991's Twilight of the Gods

With 1991's Twilight of the Gods, Bathory again peaked.  They had created the mold that all later viking metal bands were to follow.  Most of Bathory's material throughout the 1990s was thrash metal with elements of the viking sound.  It really wasn't until albums such as the Nordland albums that Bathory returned to the pure viking sound.

Select Discography:

Blood Fire Death (1988)

Hammerheart (1990)

Twilight of the Gods (1991)
Blood on Ice (recorded 1988-1989, released 1996)
Nordland I (2002)
Nordland II (2003)

Next time:  TREBLINKA

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)

Next time: HELLHAMMER