BATHORY

Release Year: 2003
Artist Origin: SWE
Style: majestic aggressive viking black metal

after three bludgeoning albums in less than three years, ultimately worshiping utter darkness and primordial evil, Quorthon makes his first significant step aside, turning from satanic imagery towards mythological and viking-themed artwork, that also affects some lyrics, while ferocious blackened anthems gain more harmonious, majestic approach, penning Valhalla-hailing Nordic serenades of devastating power, where the grandiose of title track outstands in the most effective of ways; it was just first, transitional, yet highly important step evoking grandiose Norse direction, which has fully blossomed on further records, what makes this fourth longplay [1988] an outstanding, one of a kind moment in Bathory saga on its own; recent European edition comes with a remastered sound and authentic layout