Bathory (band)
Bathory | |
|---|---|
Quorthon in May 1987 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Vällingby, Sweden |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1983–2004 |
| Labels | |
| Past members |
|
Bathory was a Swedish extreme metal band formed in Vällingby in March 1983. Named after Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory, they are considered pioneers of black metal (alongside Venom, Hellhammer and Mercyful Fate) and Viking metal. The book Lords of Chaos described Bathory's first four albums as "the blueprint for Scandinavian black metal."
The band stopped performing live early on in its career and never toured; frontman, founder and main songwriter Tomas "Quorthon" Forsberg was the sole constant member, and was at times responsible for all instruments. Bathory dissolved when Forsberg died from heart failure at the age of 38 in June 2004.