THE
HISTORY ARCHIVE
The
BATHORY HISTORY archive has been created to accurately
and fully tell the tale of one of the most influential and revered acts
in extreme metal history.
It is also our ambition to offer you one side of the story
seldom told or even asked for by those who have brought you stories
on BATHORY in the past. All in an effort to finally
win what hitherto has seemed a fruitless battle to re-claim
the history of BATHORY and to make accurate the story thus far.
The BATHORY HISTORY archive is based largely
on accurate quotes, personal reflections, memories and personal notes
written down by Quorthon over the coarse of twenty years.
A
vast portion of the text material derives from material written by Quorthon
for a planned book on BATHORY. Some of this material has been overlooked,
re-written exclusively for bathory.se and then cleared by Quorthon.
The
BATHORY HISTORY archive has been divided into separate
and numbered chapters. Each chapter deals with a separate phase, album
or theme in the history of BATHORY.
So just click on a desired chapter in order to read a part of BATHORY
history. Further chapters will be added in the future.
The
BATHORY
History Archive Chapters
THE BIRTH OF A LEGEND
From the very first rehearsal of BATHORY on the 16th of March 1983, via the June 1983 "Die In Fire" and "You Don't Move Me" session, to the recording of the two tracks for the SCANDINAVIAN METAL ATTACK compilation album in January 1984. Plus reflections on influences and thoughts on the very early days of the band.
The
story of the phony names and names of the otherworld. Personal reflections
on
all the rumors and legends surrounding BATHORY based on misconceptions,
faulty
notions and erroneous perceptions. Plus thoughts on the subject
of image and
imagery, and a general look on the evolution of BATHORY's music
and lyrics.
BECOMING THE SONS' OF THE BLOOD COUNTESS
The story of discovering the Bloodcountess and naming the band. The story on all the false early band names still in circulation. Illustrating the various band logos used throughout the past two decades. And thoughts on the issue of credibility when producing Nordic & Viking Metal with a dark and blood stained name.
SCANDINAVIAN METAL ATTACK
The
story of BATHORY entering a professional studio for the first time,
to record two tracks for a Swedish compilation album, SCANDINAVIAN
METAL ATTACK, in January 1984. The general situation for metal
in Sweden back in the early 80's described, and the situation for the
rather losely cemented first BATHORY line-up.
Chapter
5
RECORDING
THE DEBUT ALBUM
THE NECRONOMICON
/ MALEFICARUM SESSION
The
story of BATHORY finding a second, but temporary, line-up in the spring
of 1984. BATHORY recording the selfitled debut album in June 1984. Recording
for the aborted NECRONOMICON / MALEFICARUM Christmas
EP in November 1984. Illustrated is the cancelled idea for a unique label
and how the name and sound
of BATHORY was spreading fast around the world.
THE
RETURN OF THE DARKNESS AND EVIL
THE OCCULTA/OKKULTA
SESSIONS
The story of the second line-up preparing for a follow up release, a look at the Satanic influences and how BATHORY was recording the second album THE RETURN OF THE DARKNESS AND EVIL in February 1985. Also, the story of the much talked about aborted OCCULTA/OKKULTA session. And how BATHORYmania was taking off big time around the world in 1985.
UNDER THE SIGN OF THE BLACK MARK
The
story of BATHORY was in pursuit of a stable line-up during in the summer
of 1986. The recording of the third album UNDER THE SIGN OF
THE BLACK MARK
in September/November 1986. BATHORYmania exploding around the
world.
Promotion trips, in-stores and BATHORY evolving musically and lyrically.
WRITING THE DEEDS OF DARKNESS AND EVIL
A
retrospective look back on the years of Darkness & Evil, the influences
that
laid the base for the Satanic, Occult and Demonic lyrics of the first
three albums,
and the importance of this epoch of BATHORY for the entire scene in
general
and for the second wave of Black Metal of the 90's in particular. Personal
thoughts on the themes and topics of Darkness & Evil Vs. those of
the Nordic & Viking era.