Bathory samples...

Found this website that has some MP3 samples. They are only a minute long, but probably the only ones you will find.

One from each album, left to right, on down. Not sure why they chose these parts of the songs, but it does give you an idea the varied style of Bathory through the years (1984-2003).

I've talked about Bathory before, and the influence the band had on the metal scene, but just in case...Bathory defined Black Metal with their first three albums, then basically created Viking Metal with the next three, and others to follow. Some of the albums (Octagon, Blood on Ice) were recorded earlier than when they were released....by several years.

Bathory is a Swedish band.

The Jubileum albums were compilation albums that also had some non-released material.

If you listen through them from start to finish, you will be suprised at the varied styles. The first few albums were recorded on an old 4-track in a garage/storage space. That will be evident. But it makes for the raw power that Bathory was founded on.

Quorthon was the main dude, who wrote all the lyrics and music. If you check the lyrics, you will see that he was an exceptional wordsmith.

And just to mention...Quorthon does ALL vocals heard on the Bathory albums...even the background stuff.

Quorthon died of heart failure June 7th, 2004, so Bathory is no longer, but he lives on through us, The Bathory Hordes.

Here is the link http://www.bathory-hordes.com/en/?id=b3

You can go here to listen to a full song done on the Official Bathory Site in Memory of Quorthon. Clean vocals here too. Also has the lyrics to the song. Done by Bathory, of course! You can click on the picture to get inside the site and read all kinds of neat stuff. It's slow loading, but worth the wait, if interested. And believe, me, it is very interesting!! Not what you'd read in the magazines, though Quorthon didn't do many interviews, and explains why.

http://www.bathory.se



Hail Bathory
Hail Quorthon
Hail the Hordes

 

Yea, his earlier stuff was raw, and he could do raw at anytime. But I must ask, did you listen to the full song from the Official Bathory site?

Every bit of vocals is Quorthon on that piece. And it really shows the wide range of what he could do musically.

And it is a really moving song, especially if you read along with the lyrics that are just below where you start the song.

Yes, he can be wretched, but this song that Black Mark (the production company that put his albums out) dedicated to him shows he had one hell of a voice. And this song kinda was an Omen...though he sang about Death a lot.

Sometimes the Good do die young.

But then, he was Great.

Hail Bathory
Hail Quorthon
Hail the Hordes

P.S. I have a recording done by a female very close to him (Jennie Tebler), where she does the vocals over one of his songs (Song To Hall Up High). It is Bathory music, and her singing...though she couldn't make it sound right by doing backing vocals, so left Quorthons in. Very moving. And it also has the last recording (Silverwing) ever done by Quorthon, with Jennie singing.

 

Oh...and a "Love Song" he did...alludes to "marriage"

Ring Of Gold

Silver, the moon high over pond of water calm and dark
Woe, mist, the breath of the dragon, sweeping down mountain side
All still, the day asleep, the sun rests in nest of the Gods
Afar high adventures await me, I hear my brothers calling

Spring is here and the ice breaks free
The endless sky and open sea
I will sail where the Raven will lead me
Fly on black wings, high and free
I shall return with the wind the day
From high adventures, swelling sail
Autumn red comes to Asa bay

Meet me by the well where the water, crystal clear, flows free
From deep within the great mountain towering to the sky
I will be awaiting you coming down treading the trails of elves
Bare feet, let your hair down like the mist across the pond

In dawn of time, before gods and man
When earth and sky was first divided
A star did fall into river deep
A star of gold into silvery water
While I sail, by this you shall remember me
Wear it, yours forever to keep
To bind us beyond end of time,

To thee I give a Ring of Gold

-Bathory (Nordland I)

 

Yea, a poet I guess.

But what he had most was passion for what he was doing.

Yea, his vocals on most of his albums is wretched, but it was done with so much heart. He wanted to please us, his fans. That's where his inspiratioin came from.

In fact, the album "Twilight of the Gods" was to be the last Bathory album, but us fans said "NO, it can't be".

He made three more albums after that (beyond the Compilations and the releases of earlier recorded material), and was working on the next one when he passed away.

If you REALLY listen to a Bathory song, and how he sings the tune, it is so amazing. He can put you in the place he is talking about, and can make you feel emotion.

Understandable...he writes all the music, and the lyrics, so it is what he wants you to know of him. And that is why he didn't do many interviews....his music was enough to know him.

Hail Bathory
Hail Quorthon
Hail the Hordes

And just to say, there will NEVER be ANYONE who can replace what Quorthon has done. And that is not only my feelings, but feelings of others who don't even know his music as well as I do.

Yes, it still SUCKS he has gone to Valhalla. And I still feel pain. And great loss. DAMMIT