Bathory Under the Sign of the Black Mark

Bathory 'Under the Sign of the Black Mark' (Under One Flag, 1987)

'Under the Sign of the Black Mark' (UTSOTBM) is the blueprint for all Black Metal. Yes, Venom's fetid influence is in every groove, but Bathory take Venom and turn everything up to 11. You can hear every major Black Metal band on this album; Mayhem, Darkthrone, Satyricon, Burzum, Blasphemy and all the wonderfully extreme sub sub genres those bands spawned. There are even hints of what Emperor would become, but without their grand pretensions.

Bathory are probably the most influential and important of all Scandinavian metal bands. They had two distinct periods in their career which helped create a myriad of genres that are still hugely popular in the metal world. Their first three albums, reaching their zenith with the awesome UTSOTBM, took Venom's template and enhanced it to the point that kids took it so seriously they burned down churches and killed each other whilst playing homage in music and deed. Admittedly, the murder wasn't ideal, but it gives you an idea of how extreme dedication to Bathory was.

Their second phase, commencing with 'Blood Fire Death', saw the genesis of what would become the pagan, Viking and even folk metal movements. Without Bathory there would be no Enslaved, Ensiferum or Finntroll, which is maybe not quite as impressive!

Whilst their influence is not quite as apparent when considering the Swedish Death Metal scene, it is also clear that without Bathory there would be no Entombed, Grave or Unleashed. Bathory had to exist to create the conditions where there were no boundaries to what could be done in extreme music.

I would recommend that those with any interest in extreme music read the excellent 'The Slayer Diaries' as Metalion describes perfectly both in his writings and interviews how radical and important Bathory were. Daniel Ekeroth also talks at length about Bathory's huge impact and legacy in his brilliant 'Swedish Death Metal'.

I first heard Bathory when 'Of Doom....'brought side one of Speed Kills 3 to a close. 'What the hell was that?' I thought to myself. It was one of the most insane and out of control thing I had ever heard. I only had tapes at this time and I couldn't find Bathory anywhere so, like Agent Steel, I became obsessed with reading every interview with Quorthon.

Bathory were essentially a one man band, although famous Madonna video director Jonas Akerlund was once a drummer and a full three piece was reflected on 'Blood, Fire, Death' with Kothaar on bass and Vvornth on drums (one thing I am very jealous is Fray's signed promo shot of that line up in full loin cloth and sword mode!), so all interviews were with Quorthon, or Tomas Forsberg as his dad, Boss, producer of all Bathory albums and owner of Black Mark records, might call him.

Quorthon was a brilliant character who looked amazing (Satanic mixed with Motley Crue), pioneered the fire breathing photo opportunity (which every Black Metal band worth their salt used to brilliant effect) and was always ready with a quote laced with sex, drugs and rock and roll which seemed to jar with his occult mystique. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2004, but I'm sure he joined the Wild Hunt on his way to Valhalla.

Bathory's first four LPs are as important as Slayer's or Metallica's. UTSOTBM is a timeless document that will still sound fresh and brutal in 20 years' time. It was and is a ground breaking record. Enjoy the Black Metal chaos of 'Equimanthorn' and 'Of Doom...', the rocking sing along of 'Woman of Dark Desires', a paean to their muse Elizabeth Bathory, and witness the hints of what was to come with 'Chariots of Fire'.

To cap it all, the brilliant music and lyrics are wrapped up in one of the most iconic metal sleeves ever.

Peace