Warlock were and are by music history vastly underrated. I never really understood why. They have the speedy riffs of everyone's favorite speed metal groups, they were decent-to-well produced, had the aggression, Doro was an impeccable (The First Lady of Heavy Metal, indeed!)... they are a LOT more than "All We Are".
Sorry for taking so long…I had to clean up…a lot of mess. Turns out Goat Sacrifices are very messy, especially if you don’t fucking clean the corpse first.
That said…Let’s get to the good shit.
So…In 1983 a Certain Album was released to the public of Scandanavia. One with an…infamous quality to it that solidified a future band in the making; Folk heroes who would soon become one of the most influential band of all time (even though for most of their career they actually WEREN’T a band.)
And it all starts…With…THIS.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
I hear you now.
"What the Fuck is this!?"
Welp...that's what happened to the Scandanavians when they popped this tape into their decks. Now most of this album is forgettable scandanavian acts with some hard rock and heavy metal. None of which was particularly inspired.
This is the debut of the Vice Lords of Modern Black Metal. Probably the most influential and important band in Metal History.
Welcome...Bathory.
Built on the back of Scandinavian hobby bands and a desperate need to fill space. Bathory was formed when Part Time Record label worker Thomas Forsberg (Who we now regard under the pseudonym Quarthon.) was working in his father's Börje Forsberg record label Tyfon Grammofon. When...a band that was supposed to be on the aforementioned Compilation Album, dropped out at the last minute. Quarthon asked his dad to see if he can get a few of his buddies to play on the Album instead which Börje Acquesed.
Yep...
Bathory is a Product of Nepotism.
However Nepotism that sounds like THAT *Points above*
Might just be a good thing.
With that and....Another Bathory song which I'll get to in a future review getting massive props, fan mail, and requests. Tyfon (Not just Quarthon's Father, but the ENTIRE COMPANY.) Asked The band to do a full-length. However, by this point, the original band he formed together had already split the good ways. One of these bandmembers, Jonas Åkerlund would actually get into Music Video Directing. Where he would become very prolific there. His Biggest Claim to Fame? Directing the Video to "Smack my Bitch up." By The Prodigy.
So Quarthon would hire a new set of guns. From Quarthon's prior Oi Band Stridskuk bassist Rickard Bergman, and his Drummer Stefan Larsson from punk band Obsklass.
Tells you the Mindset Quarthon was running on at the time.
With that, and converting his garage into a studio for use...On May 22nd 1984. The World was introduced to the start of a Satanic Seige. The Iconography of a severed goats head adorned on it's Album Cover.
After a Three minute intro We Start right out the Gates with Hades, and Quarthons love for Punk is Visible right out of the fucking gates. This song riff work is insane, The strumming and speed is unreleting and Quarthon's Voice sounds like the Ring Wraiths are ready to chase you to the ends. However, what I notice more is how PUNK this song sounds. Being that Quarthon and the rest of the bands came directly from that scene (And indeed have heavy influence from other bands who was apart of that scene...Including a Certain British band...they PROBABLY Got the name...and even the sound they are playing from...a Band known for their...VENOMOUS approach to their music...)Quarthon has been known to wear his influence on his sleeve and this song here is a perfect example why.
That isn't to say that Bathory was ALL Speed and no songwriting. This is Quarthon after all, and he was going to put some variety into this strange brew he is making. This is where Necromancy comes into play.
A Slower (Not by much affair.) You get more of a clear example of Quarthon's pipes, sounding like he's spewing bile with every utterance of his lyrics, which perfectly compliments the rifftastic lo-fi approach that this album clearly has. The benefit here is that is gives the Oi and Metal influences that Quarthon has worn on his sleeve an insane DIY styled sound that even though sounding dirty, has both the songwriting and the atmosphere to actually pull it all off.
The atmosphere is not something however certain sects of Bathory fans believe Quarthon wielded during his Black Metal Era. However, one song on this album I think shows his ability to do that just fine.
Probably the doomiest of the tracks on this album. It is a much more slower-paced affair whose riffwork and sound quality just makes the cold and evil approach to their production all land with a french kiss. While the playing could use some cleanup, he is doing a damn fine job letting the atmosphere build, even with shorter tracks that he plays (No song on this album clocks in at over 4 minutes.) What you get is the purest sound of what Quarthon was looking for. The promise of a force that no one in or out of this mortal coil can even remotely comprehend. Quarthon would not completely get rid of this attempt and he will build on it in the coming albums, and by coming albums I mean the next fucking on after this.
This album is a one look classic, You know exactly what you're getting but you'll be surprised about what else you'll find here. Which is probably the most surprising thing I felt when going into the biography of this band. While this is a great start, that is all this is...a start, There is SO Much more to look forward to, and honestly I can't WAIT to cover them.
Such a great story and write-up!!! And even if Bathory never released another album, this debut would still be the stuff of legend. Influenced by Venom and Motorhead, the sound of Black Metal really takes off here. One of the pivotal releases in metal history!
Such a great story and write-up!!! And even if Bathory never released another album, this debut would still be the stuff of legend. Influenced by Venom and Motorhead, the sound of Black Metal really takes off here. One of the pivotal releases in metal history!
What are your thoughts on The Return ...?!
FUNFACT: It's the ONLY Bathory Album actually recorded in a studio.
So yes, most of it's lo-fi production is almost absolutely intentional.
My Thoughts on the return?
Two things.
1. People forget how Doomy Bathory could be, some of these riffs seems to be cut straight from Iommi's cloth.
2. Quarthon spoke absolute BS when he said he NEVER heard of Venom Before...As Born for Burning is a STRAIGHT RIP OFF Of Don't Burn The Witch.
He wanted to clean everything up in the mix
and we finally had to play him some records by Venom
to show him that bands sounded this way. - Igor Cavalera
Not even close to Bathory level, but definitely a killer footnote in The First Wave of Black Metal. Or am I underselling this EP debut from Sepultura?! 🤔
I think they most have gotten hold of some early Slayer by this point in time too. "Warriors Of Death" in particular has a Slayer-esque feel! 😈
For you see...My Path to Satanism has to go father.
I will summon the ultimate demons. The Ultimate Deceiveres with Insane Guitar licks and Solos that will melt brains the orator with the power to seduce anyone of any sex, creed, or orientation to my coven of satan.
Next review we will summon...the ultimate evil. Satan's greatest to combat the forces of Heaven and hell
MY Next review We cover....PROBABLY THE GREATEST BAND OF THE 1980's
STRYPER!
April Fools....Kinda
But I am going to come with some heat on this one...and whilst the Album I am reviewing is far from their best...the potential on this album is something I think I should Highlight.
I’m late to this because I needed to give a new listen to Megadeth’s debut
And just getting the usual complaining out of the way, Megadeth’s debut was summer ‘85. A full year and a half after Anthrqx’s and slayers debut and nearly 2 years after Metallica’s. If the world was right and fair, it would be a Big 5-6 with Exodus and Overkill right there. Adds another New York crew and also with exodus you get that whole Metallica/Megadeth/Exodus family tree nicely represented.
But of these traditionally considered “Big 4” as of now.
#1 - Show No Mercy by Slayer/December 83
#2 - Kill ‘Em All by Metallica/July 83
#3 - Fistful of Metal by Anthrax/January 84
#4 - Killing is My Business… by Megadeth/June 85
———
If there was the same rabid ferocity that Megadeth had on their 84 demo Last Rites, it may be number 3. But it feels like something is lost and I’m not loving the production. That said I have given BY FAR the least time and attention to Megadeth’s debut the last few months for obvious reasons.
If Bonded By Blood (April 85) was in this big four or debuts, I may actually put it number 1. If Feel The Fire (April 85) by Overkill was here it would be number 4, behind exodus and slayer and Metallica but not as big a gap as between them and anthrax and Megadeth. But I haven’t heard Overkill’s debut in a while and only listened once and was impressed. Maybe my opinion would change or will change. _________________ -Ryan
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