For most of the time, Bathory was a 1 man band. The mastermind behind this band is a man nicknamed Quorthon (the man in the image above). Quorthon started this band as a project in the early 80s when he convinced his father to place his two recorded songs on a compilation. Surprisingly though, his songs attracted a lot of attention and in 1984, he released his first studio album, self-titled "Bathory". Even though Venom's 1982 album "Black Metal" is considered as the first hybrid black metal album, Bathory's albums, featured Satanic themes and lyrics, low production quality and an inhuman voice style (shrieked voice is the term used to describe the vocals in most early and later black metal bands) stuff that later will define most black metal albums and stand as an inspiration for the second wave of black metal bands in the 90s.
Although Bathory is Norwegian black metal band, many fans speculated the fact that Quorthon was inspired by Venom's earlier black metal album release for his works. However, he stated that he only started listening to Venom after he released his first full length album. He claimed that he was inspired by bands such as Black Sabbath or Motorhead.
After his self-titled album released in 1984, he released two more albums that remained true to the hybrid black metal style that he pioneered during his early carrier. In 1985, Quorthon recorded and released his 2nd studio album, "The Return...(Of Darkness and Evil)" which used a poem as an inspiration.
"When the sacred oath is broken
and the lie is spoken out loud
when the angel is POSSESSED
and the virgin is stolen her pride
When the flame of love and pureness
have turned to BESTIAL LUST
when the walls of gold in heaven
close in and turn to dust
When THE WIND OF MAYHEM whispers
through the vale of tears and death
when the golden river is empty
and the SADIST tear the angels' flesh
When the SON OF THE DAMNED strides the earth
and THE RITE OF DARKNESS is done
when the REVELATION OF DOOM comes closer
and the battle just begun
When the beauty is BORN FOR BURNING
and the TOTAL DESTRUCTION draws near
when the disciples under the sign of the black mark gathers
and the REAP OF EVIL is here
Then the clouds of death shall gather
then the night shall always burn
then the ancient prediction comes true
and the bells of fate chime
THE RETURN ......"
It was followed by the 1987 release of his 3rd studio album "Under the Sign of the Black Mark" which was considered as his last pure black metal album. With the release "Blood Fire Death" in 1988, it was noticed that the pace was slowed down which is said to be the initiation of another metal genre, known later as Viking Metal. However, even though some changes could be hinted in this album, the well known black metal traits are still present in it. Viking themes were also used in this album as well.
With the release of "Hammerheart" in 1990, Quorthon completely switched to the style that he himself created, Viking Metal. This album featured less aggressive lyrics, a more atmospheric sound. The lyrics deal with viking and Norse mythology but it did not abandon the anti-christian theme as well. These albums does not really show aggression or disgust towards Christianity but it depicts it as a perpetrator. This album especially depicts the christian influence when they set foot in the Norse lands which were pagan. The song "One Rode to Asa Bay" depicts the attitude of christians when they were starting to convert the Northern lands to their own religion and the reaction the locals had.
"Twilight of the Gods" released one year later in 1991 follows the same pattern that Hammerheart had with the same viking and Norse mythology and anti-christian themes. Quorthon once again changed style with the release of "Requiem" in 1994 and "Octagon". These albums abandoned the viking metal style that he played in the 5th and 6th album and embraced a retro-trash metal style. The 1996 of "Blood on Ice" featured a return to his viking metal style but was more like a transition which still featured retro-trash elements.
His 2001 album, "Destroyer of Worlds" same like Blood on Ice still featured transitional elements. His full return to the viking metal style was marked with the release of "Nordland I" in 2002 and "Nordland II" in 2003 which was supposed to be a 4 album saga projects but unfortunately, Quorthon did not live long enough to finish it.
In 2004, Quorthon was found dead in his apartment. He suffered heart failure. In 2006, Black Mark Records released a tribute album to Quorthon. It feature re-recordings of some of his best tracks from all his albums. It featured 3 CDs, 1 DVD with his first and last video for the song One Rode To Asa Bay and also some exclusive interviews, promo footage and a poster as well.
Bathory is viewed as one of the most important band on both the early black metal scene and also the band that created and pioneered the extreme genre known as viking metal. Many bands from the early 90s and the later years used Bathory's works as an influence for their own musical style.
No comments:
Post a Comment