Bathory (band)
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Bathory were a Swedish heavy metal band, formed by Quorthon in 1983. They are regarded as one of the forefathers of black metal and founders of Viking metal. The band is named after the infamous Hungarian countess, Elizabeth Báthory.
Biography
Early years (1980s)
Bathory was formed in Stockholm in 1983. Founder Quorthon, a seventeen-year-old guitarist was joined by bassist Hanoi and drummer Vans. After various name changes (beginning with Nosferatu, them Natas, Mephisto, Elizabeth Bathory and Countess Bathory) they finally settled on Bathory[1]. Their first recording deal came that same year, when Quorthon managed to secure the consent of Tyfon Grammofon's boss, who was the main man's father, to record two tracks for the compilation Scandinavian Metal Attack. The tracks which he recorded gained unexpected attention by fans.[citation needed] Soon afterward, Tyfon Grammofon contacted Quorthon and asked him to record a full-length album.
Although Venom's Black Metal (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 that Venom was an influence on Bathory;[2] however Quorthon has said in an 1985 interview with Kick Ass magazine that he only heard Venom after the first Bathory album was released. He also expressed his dislike of bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.[citation needed] He has also stated that the band's early work was influenced primarily by Black Sabbath, Motörhead and Oi! punk.
Bathory's self-titled debut, and the subsequent releases, The Return and Under the Sign of the Black Mark, 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.[citation needed]
The first signs of what was to follow appeared on what some fans[citation needed] consider to be Bathory's best album Blood Fire Death, on which some of the tracks the pace had slowed down to allow for a more epic songwriting approach. It was also here that the Viking theme was introduced. Most of the musical elements of black metal were still present however.
Viking metal years (1990s, 2000s)
It was with the release of Hammerheart that Bathory surprised many of its fans.[citation needed] The style had now drastically changed towards less aggressive, more epic and atmospheric music; the lyrics dealt with themes about Vikings and Norse mythology. Partially influenced by the American Heavy Metal band Manowar, who were the first Metal band to incorporate elements of Epic Mythology in their music, Bathory had shifted from a Satanic Metal into a Viking Metal outfit, to become pioneers in yet another genre within the world of extreme music - that of Viking metal. The style of Hammerheart was further demonstrated on the subsequent Twilight of the Gods and Blood on Ice.
With 1994's Requiem, Bathory changed style once more, this time turning to retro-thrash in the vein of 1980s Bay area thrash bands. In recent years, critics[citation needed] have seen Bathory's output as increasingly erratic, as the band has returned again to Viking themes and, with the Nordland albums of 2002 and 2003, largely abandoned the retro-thrash sound of the mid-1990s in favour his more popular, more epic style for which he is best known.[citation needed]
Bathory have been cited as an influence[citation needed] by musicians as diverse as Metallica, Marilyn Manson, Cradle of Filth, Eric Hoffman and Brian Hoffman of Deicide, Black Crucifixion, Beherit, Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, Opeth and Dimmu Borgir. An early member of the band was Jonas Åkerlund, the music video and film director.[citation needed]
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.
In an interview Quorthon stated that he wasn't conscripted for Sweden's army because of his long hair.
Discography
Studio albums
- 1984 – Bathory
- 1985 – The Return
- 1987 – Under the Sign of the Black Mark
- 1988 – Blood Fire Death
- 1990 – Hammerheart
- 1991 – Twilight of the Gods
- 1994 – Requiem
- 1995 – Octagon
- 1996 – Blood On Ice
- 2001 – Destroyer of Worlds
- 2002 – Nordland I
- 2003 – Nordland II
Compilations albums
- 1992 – Jubileum Volume I
- 1993 – Jubileum Volume II
- 1998 – Jubileum Volume III
- 2003 – Katalog
- 2006 – In Memory of Quorthon
Music videos
- 1990 – "One Rode to Asa Bay"
Members
- Quorthon (Ace Thomas Forsberg) - guitars, vocals, music and lyrics (1983-2004)
- Freddan (Fredrick Hanoi) - bass guitar (1983-1984)
- Jonas Åkerlund (Vans McBurger) - drums (1983-1984)
- Vvornth - drums (1989-1991)
- Kothaar - bass guitar (1989-1991)
- The Animal (Björn Kristensen)- vocals (1983)