Yep, exactly. I always have quite hard time putting certain albums in certain order, becuase the reason you mentioned. Luckily it’s only ”almost” impossible.
Bathory's six first albums is one of the greatest runs in history of metal. Six undeniable classics, each so goddamn good and influential. Unfortunately after that I feel like some of the magic was lost. "Blood on Ice" is probably the only of the later ones that I'd go back to. Lets leave those three bottom-tier albums... although I somehow like the rawness of "Requiem" and some tracks on "Destroyer of Worlds" as well. Nordlands? I don't know man, for me they seem a little bit cheesy nowdays. "Hammerheart" was and probably always will be my #1. It's one of the most important albums in my life. I totally understand that power when you talk about "Home of Once Brave" - this track crushes mountains, I just love Quorthon's vocal performance here and hard-hitting drums. And "Shores in Flames" is just one of the best things ever. My second favorite is "Under the Sign of the Black Mark". It's the most important black metal album ever, one of those that captures the very essence of the genre. And "Enter the Eternal Fire" might be in fact the first viking metal song as well, at least I see that this way - it's definitely the first "epic" Bathory song. I also love "The Return" probably much more than you do. There's something deeply unsettling and dark about this album. The cover art very much tells what I feel when I listen to it. It's just pure fucking darkness and while the first two albums may be similar in style, I think the debut is more akin to that rock'n roll vibe of Venom, while "The Return" has only a few bits of that left, achieving that true black metal atmosphere (despite being mostly thrash in terms of riffing). I agree there aren't that many outstanding songs and peak moments, but as a whole I prefer this album to more rocking and catchy debut.
Aye. You do make good points with some excellent explanations with them. I understand why The Return is important to others, but I just can’t like it as much as the s/t or Under the Sign.
@@RautaMetal I know this is my opinion but i'm not a big fan of their debut album it's to rock n roll style black metal like I prefer under the sign of the black Mark and blood fire death more
I discovered Bathory in 1990 via The Return... , I had seen that record several times in my local record store, but as money was tight I did not buy until they put the record in the sale saction , so I bought it for 50% of the price. Since then Bathory has been part of my favorite bands. Anyway here is my list : 12. Destroyer of Worlds 11. Octagon 10. Requiem 9. Nordland II 8. Nordland I 7. Twilight of the Gods 6. Blood Fire Death 5. Hammerheart 4. Blood on Ice 3. Bathory 2. The Return... 1. Under the Sign of the Black Mark Now I'll start watching your video.
I can add that I own the first 7 on my list, the rest are not worth owning, except for maybe Nordland I & II. Also ranking these seven albums is real hard, and I might have another order in the next years to come, but one thing is for sure and that is that they are all great albums which I will never stop listening to.
Thanks for making that list, too! I think it was late 1993 or early 1994 when I discovered Bathory thru a friend via Jubileum I and II compilations. Don’t even remember yet which Bathory album was the first one I bought on CD.
Also agreed with your second point: I think Nordlands ARE worth owning, even though they are not as good as the rest of the viking metal albums. But yeah, the order is likely to change over the years, as has happened to me.
I can't be 100% sure if it was late 1990 or early 1991 , it was winter and snow outside, that I know for sure. And also thought they were called Batlord, until a few weeks later when I read the fine print on the side of the album. This name confusion have happened to a few people I know aswell.
@@RautaMetal Even though they are still active as well, I'd really like to see your opinion on the Horna discography as well. Since I didn't listened to them from their first album on, I had a lot to do listening to their whole discography and was pretty surprised by the change in quality and style of the band over the years. This format of yours definitely needs more videos, I highly appreciate it!
@@robertvalknut3290 Thanks for the suggestion. I might do it later on, but first I want to focus on bands that have quit. Also, I have reviewed some individual Horna classics already.
When you said "this is a whisky time moment" around 24 minutes, was that that a subtle shoutout to the oldschool band Bulldozer from Italy or completely inadvertent? Also I gotta say I have always loved Quorthon's voice it comes across as very real and dirty.
Bathory was my introduction to black metal even though I only got into it half a decade after Quorthon had already passed away, what a fucking legendary band. Apart from the crappy albums I love all of his stuff whether it viking or black metal, but Blood Fire Death is definitely the favorite.
We need more love for Blooded Shore from Nordland II, a simply astonishing song. And don't forget two of the best songs by Bathory, The Woodwoman & The Lake from Blood On Ice! Anyway, thanks for the walkthrough of Bathory, Rauta!
Thanks for the idea, I'll think about it, but currently I focus on the bands that don't exist anymore (so that they don't push out more albums and ruin my worst to best videos...)
Lately I've been listening to Norland I & II a lot and they are my current favourites, even though Blood Fire Death, Hammerheart and Twilight of the Gods hold a very special place in my heart.
I have never really gotten into Bathory, except for Blood Fire Death, Pace till Death being my absolute favorite track. I should probably re-listen beacuse it was a long time since I last tried.
Yeah, Bathory has such a great discography. I thought he was done with great albums at the end of the 90's because much like you I find Requiem and especially Octagon really bad and even though Destroyer of Worlds is much better and has a few decent songs it got nothing on Bathorys first 6 albums (I love Blood on Ice but it was written and partially recorded during the late 80's so I guess that is why it was better than those other albums of that period in time). Then came the new millenium and Nordland 1 (and half a year later Nordland 2) and blew me away! Wow! He still got it! Shame that he passed so early.
I agree with Rauta that Hammerheart is the best Bathory album. Second best is Blood on ice. So many great albums and tracks, Bathory is a legend. See you in Valhalla Quorthon 🤘
Damn that was my EXACT same feeling, but it came quite earlier, when his first self-titled album was released. I couldn't believe what I was hearing!!!! I forced myself to like it, but only succeeded it with "Boy".
Thanks! I have not thought about that. I could think about it but it takes a lot of time to compose such a list. Maybe if I just pick one album per band it could work.
I’d like to know what you think of Internal Rot’s 2020 release. I’m a huge blackmetal fan, but find myself enjoying Internal Rots 2020 and 2019 release more than any blackmetal release I’ve heard in 2020.
@@olarrist4273 My bad, I misread the name first. Well, unfortunately I don't really have the time to listen to music outside my review albums, because they are there waiting all the time to get reviewed. And when I'm not at home, I don't really enjoy listening to UA-cam as I don't have YT Premium. I'll give them a look if they are on Spotify.
I don't really like the music on the first two albums, but I love the lyrics which are very eloquent and atmospheric. If you look up for example Massacre it's like a poem by Robert E Howard or something.
i started today with nordand 1, working my way slowly " ring of gold " is incredible, i heard an american band years called "6 organ's of admittance" who seemed to built they're whole career on this song and then " great halls " his voice is exactly like the late 90's ny "metal" scene, interpol etc.. fucking incredible music, thank you for opening a door
Some random Bathory notes for you. Quorthon insisted he got fan mail for all three styles in which he wrote, though I'm skeptical he got much fan mail for the Thrash albums. But when Destroyer of Worlds was released, he claimed he was trying to please all three parts of his fanbase, so the album had Black Metal songs, Viking ones, and some Thrash. I'm only a minor Bathory fan, and I only really get into his Viking albums. The Nordland albums are the ones I listen to the most, and he said, when they were released, that he switched some songs between them after the recording sessions. Most people don't realize there is a story told on those albums, one that begins with your favorite, Ring of Gold. The story is mostly told by one of three brothers. The night before they leave home for a Viking expedition, he meets his girlfriend by the well, to give her a ring of gold as his promise that he will return to her. The next day, the brothers set out for Asa Bay, passing through the Foreverdark Woods (with the song's opening reprising the Jew's Harp that begins One Rode to Asa Bay). Broken Sword tells of how the narrator watches one of his brothers die in battle, from an unseen blow from behind. The narrator promises to keep his brother's broken sword, to honor his memory. Great Hall Awaits a Fallen Brother is a eulogy to the brother who died, in which the narrator assumes his brother will find a place in Valhalla. Finally, Death and Resurrection of a Northern Son is told from the perspective of the slain brother. He describes their adventure, their service to the Emperor in Contantinople, before they were ambushed on their way home. He never sees the blow that fells him, but suddenly all is peaceful, as a Valkyrie invites him to join her. She leads him to the Rainbow Bridge, which he crosses to find a great castle, and in the main hall, among his fallen friends, he finds a place at Odin's table, set with his name. Arguably, Sea Wolf is also told by the main narrator, describing his adventurous youth, now that he's an old man. Also, the song you like, The Messenger, tells of an enemy attack on Asa Bay, which ties it in to the overall storyline, though my favorite song on Nordland II is still The Wheel of Sun. By now, people know that Bosse was Quorthon's dad, and Black Mark was the family business. Quorthon's younger sister is Jenny Tebler, who worked at Black Mark. In her personal life, she's friends with Erik Grawsiö of Månegarm. that's why she agreed to perform with them on their cover of Mother Earth, Father Thunder. It's a version I enjoy quite a bit. Finally, there's supposed to be a Quorthon biography, based on numerous interviews, released before the end of 2020. I look forward to it, whenever it is finally available.
Thanks for the superb comment! Very insightful, I didn't know about that sorry tbh. I did know about Boss and knew about her sister. I also heard about this biography being in the works. Looking forward to it.
Good list, and not easy to compile! Under the Sign of the Black Mark is probably my favourite. A shorter album, with so many classic tracks. I think it's where he mastered the black metal sound.
Damn, i love those thrash metal albums of his, i didnt expect Rauta to dislike them that much! My favorit album of his is still probably The Debut, the first Bathory album i got. I was 17, and it must have been back in 2000/2001.
My worst to best for Bathory: Octagon (the only one I consider a bad album) Requiem Destroyer of Worlds Blood on Ice Twilight of the Gods The Return...... Hammerheart Nordland II Bathory Nordland I Under the Sign of the Black Mark Blood Fire Death (I consider BFD and UtSotBM to be tied but I put the BFD as my #1 because I'm sucker for the epic atmosphere on that album) Thanks for another great video, Jerry!
Good watch. I only ever owned the first 4 albums on CD, but I sold them a couple years ago. I got into them during a time when I was uber purchasing a lot of albums. So many albums that I wasn't really digesting the music I was buying properly and a lot of stuff I bought just fell to the way side. I bought the entire Darkthrone discography in one year, including their much maligned demo albums. I realized doing that is not the proper way to get into a band. I couldn't get into Quorthon's vocals after the first 4 albums, maybe some day I'll give it another go now that I've really slowed down on buying music. I also think I'd enjoy the experience of Black Metal more on vinyl than CD. I've thought about repurchasing early Darkthrone and Bathory on Vinyl.
Thanks for the comment, mate! It’s curious to hear that you didn’t like the vocals after the first, but also understandable. Like someone said ”Quorthonis the best crappy vocalist”. I don’t think buying ”demo albums” makes much of a sense to anybody but those who are hc fans.
@@RautaMetal Yeah, I had OCD when collecting albums. If I liked a band I had to own everything they ever shit out, good or bad, or it wasn't complete. I've happily outgrown that. I think it's because as I've gotten older I've noticed almost every band I've ever loved starts to eventually suck and you have to sometimes stop wasting time on them, or just select the era you like best and be happy with that. It's true about demo albums, most of them suck for obvious reasons. The only demo albums I've owned that I really like are the Rollins Band demos and the Nihilist demos(pre-Entombed). If you haven't heard the Nihilist demos they're raw and heavy as fuck. They're rough, but it's good rough. I had the Mantas demos(pre-Death) and they sucked. But the Nihilist ones are worth it for anyone who likes Entombed.
@@Gregbaltzer Aye, I get ya! I almost had that obsession, too. Glad you got rid of them. Gotta admit, that I only know Nihilist by name and reputation, but never actually listened to to them.
Great video! It's not a popular choice, but my favourite is Blood On Ice. Despite being recorded at different times I just love how coherent it is, taking the listener on a journey. There's something incredibly mystical about it. Next for me is Hammerheart, then Blood Fire Death, then Under the Sign, then Twilight, then the Nordlands, then the first 2. I did a little article/interview about it here: atthebarrier.com/2019/09/14/wolcensmen-on-bathory/
Throughout the years, many of Bathory's albums have taken turns at the #1 spot, but the list seems to change less-and-less the older I get. I know I'm late, but here are my "latest" rankings: 1. Hammerheart 2. Under the Sign of the Black Mark 3. Bathory 4. Twilight of the Gods 5. Blood Fire Death 6. The Return...... . . 7. Nordland I 8. Blood On Ice 9. Nordland II 10. Requiem 11. Destroyer of Worlds 12. Octagon Destroyer of Worlds would have been amazing as a 3-song EP. All the Pantera bullshit after that brings it down, considerably. Requiem is fine, but still useless. I am curious as to how you feel about the "Quorthon" albums. Personally, I think the music is a bit boring, but his vocals were top notch. Vocals like those on "Boy" would have been amazing on Twilight of the Gods, but I still think it was endearing to hear him sing the way he did on Twilight. RIP Quorthon.
Never late to the discography rankings if you ask me! Thanks for your comment. I don't think I ever gave those Quorthon albums a proper chance. Maybe I should!
Hammer heart Twilight of the gods Blood on Ice Nordland 1 Nordland 2 Blood fire death Under the sign of the black mark The return of darkness and evil Bathory
First things first: Excellent Whisky choice 😊 Up until No5 album I thought I was listening to my own thoughts, it was almost unreal. Ok, i might have flipped the position of the first 2 albums, but damn.... I was introduced to the Magic of Bathory on my 14th bday, November 1991, when the magical "Twilight of the Gods" was released and brought to me as a bday present.... so that's why you lost me after the 5th position 😂😂😂 I still haven't managed to ever agree with my own self when ranking BATHORY albums, so I'd say I'll agree with yours up until No5, flipping the first 2 albums. As for the top-5, I'll give the answer I have been giving for the past few decades: Some guy: "What's your favorite BATHORY album" Me: The Viking trilogy and Under the sign 😂😂😂😂 SNEAKY!
I am a "first four albums only" guys with Bathory, have you heard the Japanese bootlegs? I actually bought them and they do indeed sound better than the official reissues!
Think I was 15 when I heard the song Possessed on Speed kills 2. That song and Sodoms contribution Sepuchral voice were like ´ Is this for real?? Hell Yeah!! Could never handle the "clean" vocals after Blood, fire death thou, so that´s where I and Bathory went different ways.. Guess I should have another go at the later ones that are less "vikingish". Still love and enjoy listening to Blood fire death and Under the sign of the black mark, with the debut album as my number three. Thanks for your videos! Enjoy watching them.. Btw, love your hairstyle. I have the same... by choise of course! :-D
Nice to hear, mate! Yeah, you should give those viking album a second chance. After all if you can enjoy Blood Fire Death all they way through, it’s not so big step to Hammerheart and Twilight of the Gods.
Mun top 3 Bathory albumit on Nordland II,sen jälkeen TOTG ja Blood Fire Death. Octagon olis huonoin. Sen jälkeen The Return ja sen jälkeen Destroyer of Worlds.
Bathory discography is so good (excluding the thrash metal stuff) hard to really put them in order. Blood On Ice i would personally rank higher, so many awesome songs. We would bang the shit out of "The Lake" song when going out drinking with buddies.
I can only say that my favourite Bathory's black metal album is "The Return...", regarding folk-viking stuff is just too difficult to pick one, since they are all ranging from great to fantastic, but yeah, his thrash stuff is just a big nope. Btw Jerry, when can we expect a review on Bythos - The Womb of Zero?
Thanks for the comment and glad to hear you’re Bathory fan, too. Regarding Bythos: I doubt the label is sending me a copy of it. I wouldn’t hold my breath while waiting for it.
No, I said it’s a good album. What’s wrong with that? It’s just not as good as s/t, Under the sign or Blood Fire Death! They are ALL worth owning. That’s all I’m saying.
If we talk music we can not take heritage/importance into account. s/t isnt good by any means, its a classic and tRvE kVlt, but still not good. Requiem is underrated, to pull this off after the mighty viking trilogy, i a ballsy move and true to himself. he reinvented the style third time and yet sound believable to bathory fans even the heaviest swedish swordswinging mountaineer would find something to his outstanding armoured taste. and yet i dont know why iam writing reviews, maybe its also one of my alltime bands for sure. TOTG-UTSOBM-Requiem- Hammerheart-the rest
Well, I like the first album in all honesty! Not because of any "cult factor" but because I like its raw energy and riffs. Surely, it's very demoish as an album, but I like it a lot. Requiem was a ballsy moves, but for me it doesn't really do the trick.
I’ll probably get shot when I say I think bathory are totally overrated .But then again I also think Celtic frost and hellhammer are too.I actually prefer the nordland albums Quorthon done compared to his earlier stuff.Blood and ice too is notable but I just don’t see why so many people cream their pants over Bathory.It’s like blackmetalers (HAVE) to cite bathory as an influence to give them credibility.I heard venom before I heard bathory and long before too.I think I’ve listened to under the sign once or twice which tells me it never left a huge impression .
Imo Venom and Bathory are "must hear" bands for any serious black metal head, but nobody if forced to like the first wave, if course. For me Bathory is the pinnacle of that era. I doubt without it we wouldn't have bands like Burzum and most classic 2nd wave Nordic bands. Also imo all bands are at the same time over - and underrated.
@@RautaMetal I suppose bathory are the quintessential one man (I hesitate to say )blackmetal band but it just gets so predictable when every blackmetal band cites them as an influence .Yes all bands are over or underrated I guess but I just think blackmetal is so much more than venom or bathory now .It really annoys me when people look back all the time to validate something that’s today.Ok everything has its roots but to constantly give recognition when what’s around today has no resemblance is pointless to me and just tail wagging.You can go on any UA-cam video of any musical genre and they’re full of posts saying how music was better years ago .I’m almost sure it’s some kind of regressive mental illness.I wanna hear new bands with new identities of their own and not just constant head nods to the past.
@@satanicboxer562 of course different bands and different generations (waves). I never was a Venom fan, but I like some of their stuff. But Bathory still pushes all the right buttons for me, except for Octagon, Requiem and Destroyer. For me that matters. Clearly for me one of the best bm acts ever, like Slayer being the best thrash metal band of all times, despite newer bands out there. If I wasn't into new bands, I would bother doing reviews and interviews with them either. So for me it's not about which one is old or young, Pioneer or newcomer. What matters is the quality of music. And we all define it differently, with our unique taste of music. Some worship Burzum over others, some Bathory and maybe for someone else it's some 3rd wave band. It's okay.
@@RautaMetal I suppose it depends on the country you come from that dictates who you hear.To my knowledge bathory wasn’t well known in England at the time but venom certainly was .Venom were only a satanic Motörhead (not a bad thing)There was no international scene when I was growing up ,you only heard what was on the radio .John peel a radio 1 DJ introduced me to extreme music like napalm death and carcass.I’d only listen to English music anyway at the time.Bathory wouldn’t interest me quorthon sang about foreign things to me.Obviously today I’ve expended my mind and have embraced European music.I’m not going to lie and say (like most do)that I listened to blackmetal in the early 90s because I didn’t.I listened to pop music or hip hop .The band that changed my music taste was slipnot .I heard wait and bleed in the late 90s on a sample cd .After that I bought their first album then sought more and more extreme music .When I eventually heard bathory I thought it was weak compared to sodom or dissection.I stopped buying slayer albums after god hates us all.I think bands like exodus or even Metallica have a wider influence.Again certain people wear slayer t shirts and have never bought an album.Particularly in today’s download environment.
@@satanicboxer562 I agree with you that it's pointless to lie about one's musical past (or other such things). I got to know Bathory around late '93 or early '94 via a friend and I wasn't instantly into it. I was mostly into bands such as Metallica (my biggest teenage love), Suicidal Tendencies, Pantera, Sepultura etc. back then. But I started to dig Bathory a couple of years later late mid 90's or so. And by the end of mid 90's esp viking Bathory was one of my favorite things (Hammerheart still is one of my very few 10/10 albums). Then again you have to understand that I found black metal around 1993 partially because of listening to music at a record store, partially because of radio and partially because I read about those crimes in Norway and because bands like Enslaved had viking themes with Frost album (I had been a viking myth fan since a little kid). But I also had my pop/hiphop phase in my early teenage years (late 80's), too. And I'm glad I did. Before and after that I listened to metal. But this is something that I've explained more thoroughly in my videos.
Requiem is WAY better than Octagon, it's actually listenable, it has some catchy riffs, and Quorthon sounds like he still gives a shit. Octagon is the only complete dud in Bathory's discography IMO, I enjoy everything else to some degree.
@@RautaMetal after your vid i had to reevaluate. Under the sign of the black mark is stronger over all record. I always have a place for the return because most Americans our first taste of bathory was on Scandinavia metal attack vol. 1
Heh, it doesn't mean it's nothing but good, but that only tells how many good Bathory albums there are! Don't you enjoy different opinions, just circle jerking?
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Nordland I&II are forever underrated masterpieces.
Agreed.
Glad you took this task. The bottom 3 are easy, but after that it's almost impossible for me. So much great music to choose from.
Yep, exactly. I always have quite hard time putting certain albums in certain order, becuase the reason you mentioned. Luckily it’s only ”almost” impossible.
Bathory's six first albums is one of the greatest runs in history of metal. Six undeniable classics, each so goddamn good and influential. Unfortunately after that I feel like some of the magic was lost. "Blood on Ice" is probably the only of the later ones that I'd go back to. Lets leave those three bottom-tier albums... although I somehow like the rawness of "Requiem" and some tracks on "Destroyer of Worlds" as well. Nordlands? I don't know man, for me they seem a little bit cheesy nowdays.
"Hammerheart" was and probably always will be my #1. It's one of the most important albums in my life. I totally understand that power when you talk about "Home of Once Brave" - this track crushes mountains, I just love Quorthon's vocal performance here and hard-hitting drums. And "Shores in Flames" is just one of the best things ever.
My second favorite is "Under the Sign of the Black Mark". It's the most important black metal album ever, one of those that captures the very essence of the genre. And "Enter the Eternal Fire" might be in fact the first viking metal song as well, at least I see that this way - it's definitely the first "epic" Bathory song.
I also love "The Return" probably much more than you do. There's something deeply unsettling and dark about this album. The cover art very much tells what I feel when I listen to it. It's just pure fucking darkness and while the first two albums may be similar in style, I think the debut is more akin to that rock'n roll vibe of Venom, while "The Return" has only a few bits of that left, achieving that true black metal atmosphere (despite being mostly thrash in terms of riffing). I agree there aren't that many outstanding songs and peak moments, but as a whole I prefer this album to more rocking and catchy debut.
Aye. You do make good points with some excellent explanations with them. I understand why The Return is important to others, but I just can’t like it as much as the s/t or Under the Sign.
@@RautaMetal I know this is my opinion but i'm not a big fan of their debut album it's to rock n roll style black metal like I prefer under the sign of the black Mark and blood fire death more
Blood Fire Death is my personal favorite because it was the best of both worlds.
I discovered Bathory in 1990 via The Return... , I had seen that record several times in my local record store, but as money was tight I did not buy until they put the record in the sale saction , so I bought it for 50% of the price. Since then Bathory has been part of my favorite bands.
Anyway here is my list :
12. Destroyer of Worlds
11. Octagon
10. Requiem
9. Nordland II
8. Nordland I
7. Twilight of the Gods
6. Blood Fire Death
5. Hammerheart
4. Blood on Ice
3. Bathory
2. The Return...
1. Under the Sign of the Black Mark
Now I'll start watching your video.
I can add that I own the first 7 on my list, the rest are not worth owning, except for maybe Nordland I & II. Also ranking these seven albums is real hard, and I might have another order in the next years to come, but one thing is for sure and that is that they are all great albums which I will never stop listening to.
Thanks for making that list, too! I think it was late 1993 or early 1994 when I discovered Bathory thru a friend via Jubileum I and II compilations. Don’t even remember yet which Bathory album was the first one I bought on CD.
Also agreed with your second point: I think Nordlands ARE worth owning, even though they are not as good as the rest of the viking metal albums. But yeah, the order is likely to change over the years, as has happened to me.
I can't be 100% sure if it was late 1990 or early 1991 , it was winter and snow outside, that I know for sure. And also thought they were called Batlord, until a few weeks later when I read the fine print on the side of the album. This name confusion have happened to a few people I know aswell.
Next time you should do Immortal, Dark funeral and Marduk if you like off course , great picks indeed also my 4 favourite albums
Good ideas, but at the moment I want to focus on bands that have already ended their careers. Will probably do others later on, too.
@@RautaMetal Even though they are still active as well, I'd really like to see your opinion on the Horna discography as well. Since I didn't listened to them from their first album on, I had a lot to do listening to their whole discography and was pretty surprised by the change in quality and style of the band over the years. This format of yours definitely needs more videos, I highly appreciate it!
@@robertvalknut3290 Thanks for the suggestion. I might do it later on, but first I want to focus on bands that have quit. Also, I have reviewed some individual Horna classics already.
Under the sign of the black mark, blood fire death, hammerheart.
Great word's man , thanks for all the videos and special the interviews !!
Cheers!
When you said "this is a whisky time moment" around 24 minutes, was that that a subtle shoutout to the oldschool band Bulldozer from Italy or completely inadvertent? Also I gotta say I have always loved Quorthon's voice it comes across as very real and dirty.
Hah, totally not related to Bulldozer :)
Have you tried Kyrö rye whisky? I have bought a bottle of their rye gin last week but have yet to open it.
Hm. Not sure. I had some Kyrö dist whisky a couple of years ago as a gift from some of my friends, but I don’t remember if that was rye whisky or not.
Bathory was my introduction to black metal even though I only got into it half a decade after Quorthon had already passed away, what a fucking legendary band.
Apart from the crappy albums I love all of his stuff whether it viking or black metal, but Blood Fire Death is definitely the favorite.
One of my first ones into bm around 1993-1994.
Bathory is just on another level.
We need more love for Blooded Shore from Nordland II, a simply astonishing song. And don't forget two of the best songs by Bathory, The Woodwoman & The Lake from Blood On Ice! Anyway, thanks for the walkthrough of Bathory, Rauta!
Cheers!
Rauta always with the good continent. You had me going thru the whole disco trying to figure out my worst to best.
Thank you - nice to hear that! Have you yet figured out your favorite?
Hey there, awesome video as always,will you make a worst to best for Moonsorrow?(even tho they dont have bad albums lol)
Thanks for the idea, I'll think about it, but currently I focus on the bands that don't exist anymore (so that they don't push out more albums and ruin my worst to best videos...)
I can only mention just one album I truly love. UNDER THE SIGN OF THE BLACK MARK.
Just my opinion.
It’s so good.
@@RautaMetal Definitely.
Great as usual Kippiis PERKELE🤘🏼 Hail from Norway
Hails Pepito! Skål!
Lately I've been listening to Norland I & II a lot and they are my current favourites, even though Blood Fire Death, Hammerheart and Twilight of the Gods hold a very special place in my heart.
All so great albums.
I have never really gotten into Bathory, except for Blood Fire Death, Pace till Death being my absolute favorite track. I should probably re-listen beacuse it was a long time since I last tried.
Great track. I don’t think there’s so big step to Under or Hammerheart if you can enjoy BFD.
Yeah, Bathory has such a great discography. I thought he was done with great albums at the end of the 90's because much like you I find Requiem and especially Octagon really bad and even though Destroyer of Worlds is much better and has a few decent songs it got nothing on Bathorys first 6 albums (I love Blood on Ice but it was written and partially recorded during the late 80's so I guess that is why it was better than those other albums of that period in time).
Then came the new millenium and Nordland 1 (and half a year later Nordland 2) and blew me away! Wow! He still got it!
Shame that he passed so early.
I agree with Rauta that Hammerheart is the best Bathory album. Second best is Blood on ice. So many great albums and tracks, Bathory is a legend. See you in Valhalla Quorthon 🤘
"Oh Quorthon, why did you force us to facepalm?" - Rauta, 2020
:D
Damn that was my EXACT same feeling, but it came quite earlier, when his first self-titled album was released.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing!!!! I forced myself to like it, but only succeeded it with "Boy".
Good Stuff :-)....have you ever thought of doing your top ten must hear/ important Finish Black Metal records?..
Thanks! I have not thought about that. I could think about it but it takes a lot of time to compose such a list. Maybe if I just pick one album per band it could work.
I’d like to know what you think of Internal Rot’s 2020 release. I’m a huge blackmetal fan, but find myself enjoying Internal Rots 2020 and 2019 release more than any blackmetal release I’ve heard in 2020.
Can't say I have heard the band! Can't really comment yet. Are we talking about this band? www.metal-archives.com/bands/Infernal_Rot/3540438858
Rauta Grindcore legends from Australia. ua-cam.com/play/OLAK5uy_kI3gsTWOwaol_Qs376xWDM2UyiYuwixXA.html
Rauta www.metal-archives.com/bands/Internal_Rot/3540335616
Rauta ua-cam.com/video/1xCnxM9L6nk/v-deo.html
@@olarrist4273 My bad, I misread the name first. Well, unfortunately I don't really have the time to listen to music outside my review albums, because they are there waiting all the time to get reviewed. And when I'm not at home, I don't really enjoy listening to UA-cam as I don't have YT Premium. I'll give them a look if they are on Spotify.
My favorites are:
- Under the sign of the Black Mark
- The Return
- Blood under Ice
Great video! One unrelated question though, if I were to ask you questions for an AMA on what video should I do that?
Thanks. Please do it in my latest AMA video as I will pick questions from that later on.
I don't really like the music on the first two albums, but I love the lyrics which are very eloquent and atmospheric. If you look up for example Massacre it's like a poem by Robert E Howard or something.
i started today with nordand 1, working my way slowly " ring of gold " is incredible, i heard an american band years called "6 organ's of admittance" who seemed to built they're whole career on this song and then " great halls " his voice is exactly like the late 90's ny "metal" scene, interpol etc.. fucking incredible music, thank you for opening a door
Glad to hear you liked it, Alex!
"Glowing ball in the sky"
I think Rauta just discovered the moon
:D
Some random Bathory notes for you. Quorthon insisted he got fan mail for all three styles in which he wrote, though I'm skeptical he got much fan mail for the Thrash albums. But when Destroyer of Worlds was released, he claimed he was trying to please all three parts of his fanbase, so the album had Black Metal songs, Viking ones, and some Thrash. I'm only a minor Bathory fan, and I only really get into his Viking albums.
The Nordland albums are the ones I listen to the most, and he said, when they were released, that he switched some songs between them after the recording sessions. Most people don't realize there is a story told on those albums, one that begins with your favorite, Ring of Gold. The story is mostly told by one of three brothers. The night before they leave home for a Viking expedition, he meets his girlfriend by the well, to give her a ring of gold as his promise that he will return to her. The next day, the brothers set out for Asa Bay, passing through the Foreverdark Woods (with the song's opening reprising the Jew's Harp that begins One Rode to Asa Bay). Broken Sword tells of how the narrator watches one of his brothers die in battle, from an unseen blow from behind. The narrator promises to keep his brother's broken sword, to honor his memory. Great Hall Awaits a Fallen Brother is a eulogy to the brother who died, in which the narrator assumes his brother will find a place in Valhalla. Finally, Death and Resurrection of a Northern Son is told from the perspective of the slain brother. He describes their adventure, their service to the Emperor in Contantinople, before they were ambushed on their way home. He never sees the blow that fells him, but suddenly all is peaceful, as a Valkyrie invites him to join her. She leads him to the Rainbow Bridge, which he crosses to find a great castle, and in the main hall, among his fallen friends, he finds a place at Odin's table, set with his name. Arguably, Sea Wolf is also told by the main narrator, describing his adventurous youth, now that he's an old man. Also, the song you like, The Messenger, tells of an enemy attack on Asa Bay, which ties it in to the overall storyline, though my favorite song on Nordland II is still The Wheel of Sun.
By now, people know that Bosse was Quorthon's dad, and Black Mark was the family business. Quorthon's younger sister is Jenny Tebler, who worked at Black Mark. In her personal life, she's friends with Erik Grawsiö of Månegarm. that's why she agreed to perform with them on their cover of Mother Earth, Father Thunder. It's a version I enjoy quite a bit. Finally, there's supposed to be a Quorthon biography, based on numerous interviews, released before the end of 2020. I look forward to it, whenever it is finally available.
Thanks for the superb comment! Very insightful, I didn't know about that sorry tbh. I did know about Boss and knew about her sister. I also heard about this biography being in the works. Looking forward to it.
Good list, and not easy to compile! Under the Sign of the Black Mark is probably my favourite. A shorter album, with so many classic tracks. I think it's where he mastered the black metal sound.
Indeed he did master the sound on that one. Thanks for checking the video out!
Man home of once brave is my favorite song from hammerheart , with a guitar schizoid intro , unbelievably epic , twooo ravens messengers
Damn, i love those thrash metal albums of his, i didnt expect Rauta to dislike them that much! My favorit album of his is still probably The Debut, the first Bathory album i got. I was 17, and it must have been back in 2000/2001.
AND, the 'viking/epic' metal albums makes me want to watch some viking or barbarian movies..
Those thrash albums are just so badly executed.
@@RautaMetal i truely respect that 🤟🏻
hiya jerry, thank you for this review, ive so much bathory work to do !
Thanks Alex! Have a good time going through these classics!
one of the best metal channel :) ty my guy
Thank you!
My worst to best for Bathory:
Octagon (the only one I consider a bad album)
Requiem
Destroyer of Worlds
Blood on Ice
Twilight of the Gods
The Return......
Hammerheart
Nordland II
Bathory
Nordland I
Under the Sign of the Black Mark
Blood Fire Death (I consider BFD and UtSotBM to be tied but I put the BFD as my #1 because I'm sucker for the epic atmosphere on that album)
Thanks for another great video, Jerry!
Thanks for making your own list, too!
Good watch. I only ever owned the first 4 albums on CD, but I sold them a couple years ago. I got into them during a time when I was uber purchasing a lot of albums. So many albums that I wasn't really digesting the music I was buying properly and a lot of stuff I bought just fell to the way side. I bought the entire Darkthrone discography in one year, including their much maligned demo albums. I realized doing that is not the proper way to get into a band. I couldn't get into Quorthon's vocals after the first 4 albums, maybe some day I'll give it another go now that I've really slowed down on buying music. I also think I'd enjoy the experience of Black Metal more on vinyl than CD. I've thought about repurchasing early Darkthrone and Bathory on Vinyl.
Thanks for the comment, mate! It’s curious to hear that you didn’t like the vocals after the first, but also understandable. Like someone said ”Quorthonis the best crappy vocalist”. I don’t think buying ”demo albums” makes much of a sense to anybody but those who are hc fans.
@@RautaMetal Yeah, I had OCD when collecting albums. If I liked a band I had to own everything they ever shit out, good or bad, or it wasn't complete. I've happily outgrown that. I think it's because as I've gotten older I've noticed almost every band I've ever loved starts to eventually suck and you have to sometimes stop wasting time on them, or just select the era you like best and be happy with that. It's true about demo albums, most of them suck for obvious reasons. The only demo albums I've owned that I really like are the Rollins Band demos and the Nihilist demos(pre-Entombed). If you haven't heard the Nihilist demos they're raw and heavy as fuck. They're rough, but it's good rough. I had the Mantas demos(pre-Death) and they sucked. But the Nihilist ones are worth it for anyone who likes Entombed.
@@Gregbaltzer Aye, I get ya! I almost had that obsession, too. Glad you got rid of them.
Gotta admit, that I only know Nihilist by name and reputation, but never actually listened to to them.
Great video! It's not a popular choice, but my favourite is Blood On Ice. Despite being recorded at different times I just love how coherent it is, taking the listener on a journey. There's something incredibly mystical about it. Next for me is Hammerheart, then Blood Fire Death, then Under the Sign, then Twilight, then the Nordlands, then the first 2. I did a little article/interview about it here: atthebarrier.com/2019/09/14/wolcensmen-on-bathory/
Cheers mate! Blood on Ice is definitely a great album so I can understand why it's your favorite one.
I find everything interesting he did since the Viking-era , except for the demodays. Might be the quality.
Throughout the years, many of Bathory's albums have taken turns at the #1 spot, but the list seems to change less-and-less the older I get. I know I'm late, but here are my "latest" rankings:
1. Hammerheart
2. Under the Sign of the Black Mark
3. Bathory
4. Twilight of the Gods
5. Blood Fire Death
6. The Return...... . .
7. Nordland I
8. Blood On Ice
9. Nordland II
10. Requiem
11. Destroyer of Worlds
12. Octagon
Destroyer of Worlds would have been amazing as a 3-song EP. All the Pantera bullshit after that brings it down, considerably. Requiem is fine, but still useless. I am curious as to how you feel about the "Quorthon" albums. Personally, I think the music is a bit boring, but his vocals were top notch. Vocals like those on "Boy" would have been amazing on Twilight of the Gods, but I still think it was endearing to hear him sing the way he did on Twilight. RIP Quorthon.
Never late to the discography rankings if you ask me! Thanks for your comment. I don't think I ever gave those Quorthon albums a proper chance. Maybe I should!
Hammer heart
Twilight of the gods
Blood on Ice
Nordland 1
Nordland 2
Blood fire death
Under the sign of the black mark
The return of darkness and evil
Bathory
First things first: Excellent Whisky choice 😊
Up until No5 album I thought I was listening to my own thoughts, it was almost unreal. Ok, i might have flipped the position of the first 2 albums, but damn....
I was introduced to the Magic of Bathory on my 14th bday, November 1991, when the magical "Twilight of the Gods" was released and brought to me as a bday present.... so that's why you lost me after the 5th position 😂😂😂
I still haven't managed to ever agree with my own self when ranking BATHORY albums, so I'd say I'll agree with yours up until No5, flipping the first 2 albums. As for the top-5, I'll give the answer I have been giving for the past few decades:
Some guy: "What's your favorite BATHORY album"
Me: The Viking trilogy and Under the sign 😂😂😂😂
SNEAKY!
Cool comment mate and history too. I found Bathory some 2-3 years later.
I'm happy you like hammerheart the best.
I really like in the track shores in flames when quorthon yells fire!
Me too!
me too, this is still the best "fire shout" !
Bathory made the greatest ballads: Man of Iron, Ring of gold, Hammerheart
Born for Burning is a fucking neck-breaker.
I am a "first four albums only" guys with Bathory, have you heard the Japanese bootlegs? I actually bought them and they do indeed sound better than the official reissues!
Wow. I have not.
Think I was 15 when I heard the song Possessed on Speed kills 2.
That song and Sodoms contribution Sepuchral voice were like ´ Is this for real?? Hell Yeah!!
Could never handle the "clean" vocals after Blood, fire death thou, so that´s where I and Bathory went different ways..
Guess I should have another go at the later ones that are less "vikingish".
Still love and enjoy listening to Blood fire death and Under the sign of the black mark, with the debut album as my number three.
Thanks for your videos! Enjoy watching them..
Btw, love your hairstyle. I have the same... by choise of course! :-D
Nice to hear, mate! Yeah, you should give those viking album a second chance. After all if you can enjoy Blood Fire Death all they way through, it’s not so big step to Hammerheart and Twilight of the Gods.
Mun top 3 Bathory albumit on Nordland II,sen jälkeen TOTG ja Blood Fire Death.
Octagon olis huonoin. Sen jälkeen The Return ja sen jälkeen Destroyer of Worlds.
Wow. Usually people praise The Return.
@@RautaMetal IMO it's the most overrated Bathory album ever.
My ranking:
1. Nordland 1&2
2. Blood fire death
3. Twilight of the gods
4. Hammerheart
5. Blood on ice
👍
I started listening to Bathory in the early 2000s. Under the sign of the Black Mark is good! Hey man, nice singing.......haha! :D
Thanks!
Bathory discography is so good (excluding the thrash metal stuff) hard to really put them in order. Blood On Ice i would personally rank higher, so many awesome songs. We would bang the shit out of "The Lake" song when going out drinking with buddies.
Yep. Agreed. That's what made compiling this list so interesting.
Nordland 1 and Kampfar's "Mellom skogkledde aaser" have almost the same art and subject matter lol. Both good viking metal albums.
Yep. Could feature that as a classic some day!
Pretty much agree with you.
Good video.
Cheers!
great video
I can only say that my favourite Bathory's black metal album is "The Return...", regarding folk-viking stuff is just too difficult to pick one, since they are all ranging from great to fantastic, but yeah, his thrash stuff is just a big nope.
Btw Jerry, when can we expect a review on Bythos - The Womb of Zero?
Thanks for the comment and glad to hear you’re Bathory fan, too.
Regarding Bythos: I doubt the label is sending me a copy of it. I wouldn’t hold my breath while waiting for it.
@@RautaMetal Well, as a last resort option you can ask Torog himself for a review material :)
@@d.n.4328 Nah, I don't wanna beg from the bands.
Home Of Once Brave is one of the best songs ever made
Definitely! One of my all time favorites.
Blood Fire Death it's a masterpiece
i killed destroyer of world when it came out. i hated it. nowday i find it kinda enjoyable tbh
Originally Nordland was supposed to be 4 part saga, but it never happened for...obvious reasons
Too bad, but it is what it is.
The Return.....are you joking?????????
No, I said it’s a good album. What’s wrong with that? It’s just not as good as s/t, Under the sign or Blood Fire Death! They are ALL worth owning. That’s all I’m saying.
If we talk music we can not take heritage/importance into account. s/t isnt good by any means, its a classic and tRvE kVlt, but still not good. Requiem is underrated, to pull this off after the mighty viking trilogy, i a ballsy move and true to himself. he reinvented the style third time and yet sound believable to bathory fans even the heaviest swedish swordswinging mountaineer would find something to his outstanding armoured taste. and yet i dont know why iam writing reviews, maybe its also one of my alltime bands for sure. TOTG-UTSOBM-Requiem- Hammerheart-the rest
Well, I like the first album in all honesty! Not because of any "cult factor" but because I like its raw energy and riffs. Surely, it's very demoish as an album, but I like it a lot. Requiem was a ballsy moves, but for me it doesn't really do the trick.
OHHH AGUANTE QUORTON, AGUANTE BATHORY FOREVER, AGUANTE EL WHISKY MY FAVORITE WHITE DRINK
Mun mielestä Octagon on yks Bathoryn parhaista. Requiem myös.
OK!
Ehdottomasti ei.
Twilight of the gods 🙌
Nice abbath shirt tho
Abbath shirt where? I don’t have one.
I’ll probably get shot when I say I think bathory are totally overrated .But then again I also think Celtic frost and hellhammer are too.I actually prefer the nordland albums Quorthon done compared to his earlier stuff.Blood and ice too is notable but I just don’t see why so many people cream their pants over Bathory.It’s like blackmetalers (HAVE) to cite bathory as an influence to give them credibility.I heard venom before I heard bathory and long before too.I think I’ve listened to under the sign once or twice which tells me it never left a huge impression .
Imo Venom and Bathory are "must hear" bands for any serious black metal head, but nobody if forced to like the first wave, if course. For me Bathory is the pinnacle of that era. I doubt without it we wouldn't have bands like Burzum and most classic 2nd wave Nordic bands.
Also imo all bands are at the same time over - and underrated.
@@RautaMetal I suppose bathory are the quintessential one man (I hesitate to say )blackmetal band but it just gets so predictable when every blackmetal band cites them as an influence .Yes all bands are over or underrated I guess but I just think blackmetal is so much more than venom or bathory now .It really annoys me when people look back all the time to validate something that’s today.Ok everything has its roots but to constantly give recognition when what’s around today has no resemblance is pointless to me and just tail wagging.You can go on any UA-cam video of any musical genre and they’re full of posts saying how music was better years ago .I’m almost sure it’s some kind of regressive mental illness.I wanna hear new bands with new identities of their own and not just constant head nods to the past.
@@satanicboxer562 of course different bands and different generations (waves). I never was a Venom fan, but I like some of their stuff. But Bathory still pushes all the right buttons for me, except for Octagon, Requiem and Destroyer. For me that matters. Clearly for me one of the best bm acts ever, like Slayer being the best thrash metal band of all times, despite newer bands out there.
If I wasn't into new bands, I would bother doing reviews and interviews with them either. So for me it's not about which one is old or young, Pioneer or newcomer. What matters is the quality of music. And we all define it differently, with our unique taste of music. Some worship Burzum over others, some Bathory and maybe for someone else it's some 3rd wave band. It's okay.
@@RautaMetal I suppose it depends on the country you come from that dictates who you hear.To my knowledge bathory wasn’t well known in England at the time but venom certainly was .Venom were only a satanic Motörhead (not a bad thing)There was no international scene when I was growing up ,you only heard what was on the radio .John peel a radio 1 DJ introduced me to extreme music like napalm death and carcass.I’d only listen to English music anyway at the time.Bathory wouldn’t interest me quorthon sang about foreign things to me.Obviously today I’ve expended my mind and have embraced European music.I’m not going to lie and say (like most do)that I listened to blackmetal in the early 90s because I didn’t.I listened to pop music or hip hop .The band that changed my music taste was slipnot .I heard wait and bleed in the late 90s on a sample cd .After that I bought their first album then sought more and more extreme music .When I eventually heard bathory I thought it was weak compared to sodom or dissection.I stopped buying slayer albums after god hates us all.I think bands like exodus or even Metallica have a wider influence.Again certain people wear slayer t shirts and have never bought an album.Particularly in today’s download environment.
@@satanicboxer562 I agree with you that it's pointless to lie about one's musical past (or other such things). I got to know Bathory around late '93 or early '94 via a friend and I wasn't instantly into it. I was mostly into bands such as Metallica (my biggest teenage love), Suicidal Tendencies, Pantera, Sepultura etc. back then. But I started to dig Bathory a couple of years later late mid 90's or so. And by the end of mid 90's esp viking Bathory was one of my favorite things (Hammerheart still is one of my very few 10/10 albums).
Then again you have to understand that I found black metal around 1993 partially because of listening to music at a record store, partially because of radio and partially because I read about those crimes in Norway and because bands like Enslaved had viking themes with Frost album (I had been a viking myth fan since a little kid).
But I also had my pop/hiphop phase in my early teenage years (late 80's), too. And I'm glad I did. Before and after that I listened to metal. But this is something that I've explained more thoroughly in my videos.
Requiem is WAY better than Octagon, it's actually listenable, it has some catchy riffs, and Quorthon sounds like he still gives a shit. Octagon is the only complete dud in Bathory's discography IMO, I enjoy everything else to some degree.
Glad you can enjoy it. Shame I can't enjoy neither of those two.
Requiem is great
Glad you like it! I wish I could, too.
No question though not debatable..the return of darkness and evil .is the best bathory and maybe best bm record ever
OK!
@@RautaMetal after your vid i had to reevaluate. Under the sign of the black mark is stronger over all record. I always have a place for the return because most Americans our first taste of bathory was on Scandinavia metal attack vol. 1
First album was by far the best. I guess I’m an elitist a-hole
It doesn't make you an elitist, just old-school fan!
I had to stop when you put the return so far back in the list. 👎
Heh, it doesn't mean it's nothing but good, but that only tells how many good Bathory albums there are! Don't you enjoy different opinions, just circle jerking?
Fair enough