Bathory, the legendary metal band, made their mark with the release of their self-titled debut album on October 2, 1984. The album’s creation was not without its challenges, starting with the band’s unexpected popularity following the inclusion of two songs on the compilation Scandinavian Metal Attack in March 1983.
When the label, Tyfon, approached Bathory for a full album, the band was in disarray as two members had left. Guitarist/vocalist Quorthon had to quickly assemble a new lineup, enlisting bassist Rickard ‘Ribban’ Bergman and drummer Stefan Larsson. Despite initial setbacks, the band managed to rehearse and record the album within a short span of time.
Recording at Heavenshore in June 1984, Bathory faced financial constraints, forcing them to record the entire album on a single two-inch tape running at half speed. This led to extraneous noise throughout the recording, adding a raw quality to the final product.
The album’s intro, Storm Of Damnation, paid homage to Black Sabbath’s iconic track, Black Sabbath, with a slowed-down rendition of Big Ben’s tolling. Despite its significance, the band initially forgot to list this track on the album, highlighting the rushed nature of the recording process.
Notably, the album cover featuring a goat collage, initially printed in yellow due to budget constraints, was later changed to a gold hue after the first pressing. The song title Necromancer was misspelled as Necromanser due to a shortage of letter transfers during the album design process.
Quorthon’s creative vision extended to designing a unique label for Bathory, setting them apart in the metal scene. The album was mixed at Heavenshore, contrary to what the sleeve indicated, showcasing the band’s hands-on approach to every aspect of their debut release.
Originally intended to be named Pentagrammaton, the album underwent a title change to avoid confusion. Bathory’s debut album marked the beginning of a storied career that would influence and shape the metal genre for years to come.
In the world of metal music, Bathory’s debut album stands as a testament to the band’s resilience and creativity in the face of adversity. Despite limited resources and time constraints, the band managed to produce a groundbreaking work that set the stage for their future success and cemented their legacy in the metal pantheon.
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