One of the two albums that birthed everything we know and
love as Black Metal. Venom's "Black Metal" is another topic
altogether, but Bathory's debut would be the beginning of what would become a
legend in the making.
"Bathory" is, at its core, blackened thrash with
the intent to destroy all those you dare listen. The speed and riffs right from
the opening track "Hades" (this is true for the original pressing. My
reissue has Storm of Damnation, an intro for the first track), tell the
listener exactly what they are in for and they don't let up until the end.
"Reaper" is my favorite Bathory song hands down and I can remember
blasting this my first year in the dorms at college, despite my neighbors being
terrified of what kind of psycho would listen to such evil. The drums blast away
relentlessly to match the ferocity of the guitars, while Quorthon belts out
some of his best vocals. There is plenty of technique on display with well
executed solos and catchy melodies to please any metal fan.
Now, this may blur the lines of what the standard sound of
what modern day black metal would evoke into, but Bathory's influence would be
felt in black metal circles to this day. This album is like a fine wine; an
intoxicating first experience that only gets better with age. Even today, I
play this record and still feel like a stupid 19 year old kid, banging my head
and putting on an air guitar display for Satan himself.
Highlights: (From original pressing) All tracks, but
"Hades" "Necromansy" "Reaper"
"Armageddon" are exceptional.
Rating: 5
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