Bathory (band)
Encyclopedia
Bathory was a Swedish heavy metal
band, formed by Quorthon
(Tomas Forsberg) in 1983. They are regarded as pioneers of both black metal
and viking metal
. Quorthon remained the main songwriter and member of Bathory for more than two decades. Bathory was permanently ended after Quorthon's death in 2004. The band is named after the infamous Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory
.
, a seventeen-year-old guitarist, was joined by bassist Hanoi and drummer Vans. Their first recording deal came that same year, when Quorthon managed to secure the consent of Tyfon Grammofon's boss (perennially rumored to be Quorthon's father, but the mere 12-year age difference between them makes this debatable) to record two tracks for the compilation Scandinavian Metal Attack in 1984. The tracks which he recorded gained unexpected attention by fans. Soon afterward, Tyfon Grammofon contacted Quorthon and asked him to record a full-length album. The band considered several names before settling on Bathory, including Nosferatu, Natas, Mephisto, Elizabeth Bathory, and Countess Bathory.
Although Venom
's Black Metal
, released in 1982, was the first record to coin the term, it was Bathory's early albums, featuring Satanic
lyrics, low-fi production and an inhuman vocal style, that defined the genre. Many fans have speculated Venom
was an influence on Bathory; however, Quorthon
has said in an interview with Kick Ass magazine in 1985 that he had not listened to Venom until after the first Bathory album was released, although this is contentious, as Quorthon often gave purposefully equivocal or misleading information in interviews. He has also stated the band's early work was influenced primarily by Black Sabbath
, Motörhead, Discharge
, G.B.H.
and The Exploited
.
Bathory's 1984 self-titled debut album
, and the subsequent releases The Return (1985) and Under the Sign of the Black Mark
(1987), are now regarded as major influences on the Norwegian bands which extended black metal's musical progression and popularity in the beginning of the 1990s.
Bathory ceased performing live in 1985, with Quorthon viewing organizing concerts as too much hassle.
Quorthon
adopted a significantly different approach with the album Blood Fire Death
(1988), on which some of the tracks the pace was slowed down to allow for a more epic songwriting approach, said to be an influence on, or initiation of, the extreme metal sub-genre Viking metal
. The Viking
theme was also first introduced on this album. However, most of the musical elements of black metal were still present.
, Bathory had changed style towards less aggressive, more epic and atmospheric music; the lyrics dealt with themes about Vikings and Norse mythology
. Mistakenly said to be influenced by the American power metal
band Manowar, Hammerheart was a landmark album that "formally introduced" to the metal world the "archetypical Viking metal album." The style of Hammerheart was further demonstrated on the subsequent Twilight of the Gods
(1991) and Blood on Ice
(recorded in 1989 but completed in 1996).
With Requiem (1994) and Octagon (1995), Bathory changed style once more, this time turning to retro-thrash in the vein of 1980s Bay Area thrash
bands. However the 2000 release Destroyer of Worlds
was a transitional release that lead to a full return to the Viking Metal style with the releases of Nordland I
(2001) and Nordland II
(2003). These were supposed to be the first two volumes of a four-album saga, but Quorthon would not live long enough to complete it.
In June 2004, Quorthon was found dead in his home, apparently due to heart failure. He was known to suffer from heart problems in the past. On June 3, 2006, Black Mark Records released a box set in tribute to Quorthon containing three CDs of his favorite Bathory and Quorthon songs, a 176 page booklet, a DVD with his long-form video for "One Rode to Asa Bay
", an interview and some rare promo footage, and a poster.
Several Bathory tribute albums have been compiled by black metal artists, one of which was entitled In Conspiracy with Satan: A Tribute to Bathory.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band, formed by Quorthon
Quorthon
Tomas Forsberg, better known as "Quorthon" , was a multi-instrumentalist and the founder and songwriter of the pioneering Swedish black metal band Bathory. He is also credited with creating the Viking metal genre...
(Tomas Forsberg) in 1983. They are regarded as pioneers of both black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
and viking metal
Viking metal
Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its galloping pace, keyboard-rich anthemic sound, bleakness and dramatic emphasis on lyrical themes of Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age...
. Quorthon remained the main songwriter and member of Bathory for more than two decades. Bathory was permanently ended after Quorthon's death in 2004. The band is named after the infamous Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory
Elizabeth Báthory
Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed was a countess from the renowned Báthory family of Hungarian nobility. Although in modern times she has been labelled the most prolific serial killer in history, the number of murders has been debated...
.
Early years (1980s)
Bathory was formed in Stockholm in 1983. Founder QuorthonQuorthon
Tomas Forsberg, better known as "Quorthon" , was a multi-instrumentalist and the founder and songwriter of the pioneering Swedish black metal band Bathory. He is also credited with creating the Viking metal genre...
, a seventeen-year-old guitarist, was joined by bassist Hanoi and drummer Vans. Their first recording deal came that same year, when Quorthon managed to secure the consent of Tyfon Grammofon's boss (perennially rumored to be Quorthon's father, but the mere 12-year age difference between them makes this debatable) to record two tracks for the compilation Scandinavian Metal Attack in 1984. The tracks which he recorded gained unexpected attention by fans. Soon afterward, Tyfon Grammofon contacted Quorthon and asked him to record a full-length album. The band considered several names before settling on Bathory, including Nosferatu, Natas, Mephisto, Elizabeth Bathory, and Countess Bathory.
Although Venom
Venom (band)
Venom are an English heavy metal band that formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal —are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general...
's Black Metal
Black Metal (album)
Black Metal is the second album by the English band Venom. It was released in November 1982 and is considered a major influence on the thrash metal, death metal and black metal scenes that emerged in the 1980s and early 1990s. Although lending its name to the latter genre, today the album is often...
, released in 1982, was the first record to coin the term, it was Bathory's early albums, featuring Satanic
Satanism
Satanism is a group of religions that is composed of a diverse number of ideological and philosophical beliefs and social phenomena. Their shared feature include symbolic association with, admiration for the character of, and even veneration of Satan or similar rebellious, promethean, and...
lyrics, low-fi production and an inhuman vocal style, that defined the genre. Many fans have speculated Venom
Venom (band)
Venom are an English heavy metal band that formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal —are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general...
was an influence on Bathory; however, Quorthon
Quorthon
Tomas Forsberg, better known as "Quorthon" , was a multi-instrumentalist and the founder and songwriter of the pioneering Swedish black metal band Bathory. He is also credited with creating the Viking metal genre...
has said in an interview with Kick Ass magazine in 1985 that he had not listened to Venom until after the first Bathory album was released, although this is contentious, as Quorthon often gave purposefully equivocal or misleading information in interviews. He has also stated the band's early work was influenced primarily by Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Motörhead, Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
, G.B.H.
Charged GBH
Charged GBH are an English Street punk band, formed in 1978 by vocalist Colin Abrahall, guitarist Colin "Jock" Blyth, bassist Sean McCarthy and Drummer Andy " Wilf" Williams. GBH were early pioneers of English street punk, often nicknamed "UK82", along with Discharge, Broken Bones, The Exploited...
and The Exploited
The Exploited
The Exploited are a Scottish punk band from the second wave of UK punk, formed in 1979. Originally a street punk band, they transformed into a faster hardcore punk band with a heavy political influence. From about 1987 on they changed into a crossover thrash band...
.
Bathory's 1984 self-titled debut album
Bathory (album)
Bathory is the debut album of the Swedish band Bathory. It is considered one of the first recorded examples that defined the black metal style....
, and the subsequent releases The Return (1985) and Under the Sign of the Black Mark
Under the Sign of the Black Mark
Under the Sign of the Black Mark is the third album by Bathory. It had a major influence on the black metal genre, specifically the Norwegian black metal scene that emerged in the early 1990s. The song "Woman of Dark Desires" is a tribute to the band's namesake, Elizabeth Báthory, and has become...
(1987), are now regarded as major influences on the Norwegian bands which extended black metal's musical progression and popularity in the beginning of the 1990s.
Bathory ceased performing live in 1985, with Quorthon viewing organizing concerts as too much hassle.
Quorthon
Quorthon
Tomas Forsberg, better known as "Quorthon" , was a multi-instrumentalist and the founder and songwriter of the pioneering Swedish black metal band Bathory. He is also credited with creating the Viking metal genre...
adopted a significantly different approach with the album Blood Fire Death
Blood Fire Death
Blood Fire Death is the fourth album by the Swedish band Bathory. It was released in October 1988. The album, although mostly black metal, includes some of the first examples of Viking metal....
(1988), on which some of the tracks the pace was slowed down to allow for a more epic songwriting approach, said to be an influence on, or initiation of, the extreme metal sub-genre Viking metal
Viking metal
Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its galloping pace, keyboard-rich anthemic sound, bleakness and dramatic emphasis on lyrical themes of Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age...
. The Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
theme was also first introduced on this album. However, most of the musical elements of black metal were still present.
Viking metal years (1990s, 2000s)
With the 1990 release of HammerheartHammerheart
Hammerheart is the fifth album released by Bathory. It continued Blood Fire Deaths transition away from black metal to what would become recognized as Viking metal, and is considered a cornerstone work of the genre.-Track listing:...
, Bathory had changed style towards less aggressive, more epic and atmospheric music; the lyrics dealt with themes about Vikings and Norse mythology
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
. Mistakenly said to be influenced by the American power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Manowar, Hammerheart was a landmark album that "formally introduced" to the metal world the "archetypical Viking metal album." The style of Hammerheart was further demonstrated on the subsequent Twilight of the Gods
Twilight of the Gods (album)
Twilight of the Gods is the sixth album by Bathory. It continues the exploration of the newly created Viking metal style, and also displays heavy Epic doom and classical influences; it is titled after an opera by Wagner, and the melody of "Hammerheart" is lifted from Gustav Holst's The Planets...
(1991) and Blood on Ice
Blood on Ice
Blood on Ice is a concept album by the Swedish viking metal band Bathory. The master tapes were recorded in 1989, but the album was not immediately released, both because the album was never properly finished, and because founder and song-writer Quorthon was worried that it presented too drastic a...
(recorded in 1989 but completed in 1996).
With Requiem (1994) and Octagon (1995), Bathory changed style once more, this time turning to retro-thrash in the vein of 1980s Bay Area thrash
Bay Area thrash metal
Bay Area thrash metal, or "Bay Area thrash", referred to a steady following of heavy metal bands in the 1980s who formed and gained international status in the San Francisco Bay Area, California...
bands. However the 2000 release Destroyer of Worlds
Destroyer of Worlds
Destroyer of Worlds refers to the tenth full-length album release by Bathory. It takes its name from a famous quote by J. Robert Oppenheimer about the atomic bomb, "I am become death, destroyer of worlds," which was itself mistakenly quoted from a verse in the Bhagavad Gita...
was a transitional release that lead to a full return to the Viking Metal style with the releases of Nordland I
Nordland I
Nordland I is the eleventh full-length album by Bathory, released in 2003. It is characterized by an unapologetic return to the Viking metal of Bathory's middle period, and features songs written mainly about Norse mythology...
(2001) and Nordland II
Nordland II
Nordland II is the twelfth and final album by Bathory. It is the successor to Nordland I. Like its predecessor, it is characterized by an unapologetic return to the Viking metal style of Bathory's middle period, and the songs on this release deal primarily with Viking culture...
(2003). These were supposed to be the first two volumes of a four-album saga, but Quorthon would not live long enough to complete it.
In June 2004, Quorthon was found dead in his home, apparently due to heart failure. He was known to suffer from heart problems in the past. On June 3, 2006, Black Mark Records released a box set in tribute to Quorthon containing three CDs of his favorite Bathory and Quorthon songs, a 176 page booklet, a DVD with his long-form video for "One Rode to Asa Bay
One Rode to Asa Bay
"One Rode To Asa Bay" is a song by Bathory about the Christianization of Scandinavia and appears on the 1990 album Hammerheart.Cover versions of the song have been recorded by Fearbringer, Opera IX, Mystic Circle and Folkvang....
", an interview and some rare promo footage, and a poster.
Several Bathory tribute albums have been compiled by black metal artists, one of which was entitled In Conspiracy with Satan: A Tribute to Bathory.
Studio albums
- BathoryBathory (album)Bathory is the debut album of the Swedish band Bathory. It is considered one of the first recorded examples that defined the black metal style....
(1984) - The Return (1985)
- Under the Sign of the Black MarkUnder the Sign of the Black MarkUnder the Sign of the Black Mark is the third album by Bathory. It had a major influence on the black metal genre, specifically the Norwegian black metal scene that emerged in the early 1990s. The song "Woman of Dark Desires" is a tribute to the band's namesake, Elizabeth Báthory, and has become...
(1987) - Blood Fire DeathBlood Fire DeathBlood Fire Death is the fourth album by the Swedish band Bathory. It was released in October 1988. The album, although mostly black metal, includes some of the first examples of Viking metal....
(1988) - HammerheartHammerheartHammerheart is the fifth album released by Bathory. It continued Blood Fire Deaths transition away from black metal to what would become recognized as Viking metal, and is considered a cornerstone work of the genre.-Track listing:...
(1990) - Twilight of the GodsTwilight of the Gods (album)Twilight of the Gods is the sixth album by Bathory. It continues the exploration of the newly created Viking metal style, and also displays heavy Epic doom and classical influences; it is titled after an opera by Wagner, and the melody of "Hammerheart" is lifted from Gustav Holst's The Planets...
(1991) - Requiem (1994)
- Octagon (1995)
- Blood on IceBlood on IceBlood on Ice is a concept album by the Swedish viking metal band Bathory. The master tapes were recorded in 1989, but the album was not immediately released, both because the album was never properly finished, and because founder and song-writer Quorthon was worried that it presented too drastic a...
(1996) - Destroyer of WorldsDestroyer of WorldsDestroyer of Worlds refers to the tenth full-length album release by Bathory. It takes its name from a famous quote by J. Robert Oppenheimer about the atomic bomb, "I am become death, destroyer of worlds," which was itself mistakenly quoted from a verse in the Bhagavad Gita...
(2001) - Nordland INordland INordland I is the eleventh full-length album by Bathory, released in 2003. It is characterized by an unapologetic return to the Viking metal of Bathory's middle period, and features songs written mainly about Norse mythology...
(2002) - Nordland IINordland IINordland II is the twelfth and final album by Bathory. It is the successor to Nordland I. Like its predecessor, it is characterized by an unapologetic return to the Viking metal style of Bathory's middle period, and the songs on this release deal primarily with Viking culture...
(2003)
Compilation albums
- Touch of Death (Black Mark Records, BMCD26) (1992)
- Jubileum Volume IJubileum Volume IJubileum Vol. I is a compilation album by Bathory. It was succeeded by Jubileum Volume II and Jubileum Volume III.-Track listing:# "Rider At The Gate Of Dawn" – 1:19 # "Crawl To Your Cross" – 4:38...
(1992) - Jubileum Volume IIJubileum Volume IIJubileum Volume II is a compilation album by Bathory. It was preceded by Jubileum Volume I and succeeded by Jubileum Volume III.-Track listing:#"The Return of the Darkness and Evil" – 4:59...
(1993) - Jubileum Volume IIIJubileum Volume IIIJubileum Volume III is a compilation album by Bathory. It was preceded by Jubileum Volume I and Jubileum Volume II.The song "In Nomine Satanas" is an alternate version of the song "Bond of Blood" from the 1991 album Twilight of the Gods...
(1998) - Katalog (2003)
- In Memory of QuorthonIn Memory of QuorthonIn Memory of Quorthon is a box set of three audio CDs and one DVD with remastered material from Bathory, Quorthon's solo efforts, and the Jennie Tebler project....
(2006)
Final line-up
- QuorthonQuorthonTomas Forsberg, better known as "Quorthon" , was a multi-instrumentalist and the founder and songwriter of the pioneering Swedish black metal band Bathory. He is also credited with creating the Viking metal genre...
- guitars, vocals, music and lyrics (1983–2004) all instruments (1988–2004)
(Known) Former members
While there have been many members of Bathory over the years, due to its more-or-less revolving door membership and the obscured nature of any reliable information, it is impossible to properly list all former members. The names Kothaar and Vvornth are generic stage names given to bassists and drummers respectively, so they cannot be given to any particular member.- Frederick Melander (Fredrick Hanoi) - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1983–1984) - Jonas ÅkerlundJonas ÅkerlundJonas Åkerlund is a Swedish film and music video director, and drummer. He is best known for directing music videos, which are often mock forms of movie trailers and short films...
(Vans McBurger) - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1983–1984) - Hanoi - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(early 1983) - Vans - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(early 1983) - The Animal (Björn Kristensen) - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(early 1983) - Stefan Larsson - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1984-1986) - Paul Pålle Lundburg - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1986-1987) - Kothaar - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1994-1996) - Vvornth - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1994-2001)