Bathory
The Return...

THE REVIEW

What is Black Metal?
Black Metal is an incredibly vast genre, a dark yet poetic twilight, an incredibly difficult genre to play. In 1984, playing Black Metal was mostly an abstract concept. Between 1981 and 1983, Venom coined the term black metal for the first time, playing particularly violent and satanically inspired thrash, which was picked up by Swiss band Celtic Frost and Swedish band Bathory. Bathory, led by the legendary Quorthon, made their debut in 1984 with the self-titled album, which received much praise but also many criticisms due to the satanic-inspired lyrics. But Quorthon was not a simple satanist; he was an educated man, a dark poet, a great musician.
In 1985, this masterpiece by Bathory was released, an incredibly violent and evil CD, an incredible work that helped give birth to the true black metal played in the early '90s by bands like Mayhem, Darkthrone and Emperor...

The album is a continuous sonic massacre to the ears of the unsuspecting listener, the main topic is just one: Evil, in all its forms. To understand what true black metal is, I think you need to listen to this album; to understand how music can evoke emotions, you need to listen to this album; to understand Quorthon's great simplicity, you need to listen to this album. All the tracks possess a destructive energy, "Bestial Lust" and "Total Destruction" are two terrible black gems, perhaps the most beautiful track on the CD is "The Return Of Darkness and Evil" where a destructive drum interchanges with melodic parts. Thank you, Quorthon, for all you have given to your fans... THANK YOU FROM THE HEART!
Then the clouds of death shall gather
then the night shall always burn
then the ancient prediction comes true
and the bells of fate chime
THE RETURN...