Search - Bathory :: Hammerheart

A perfect album

Michael J Harper | Covina, CA United States | 09/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bathory are eternally known for bringing the black metal scene into further light(No need to mention more on bands such as Mercyful Fate, Venom, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost they have thier own light) And its ironic that all the b/m purists out there seem to hate Bathory after thier first 3 albums.(this album being thier fifth) Why? I'll never know, but guess, other then the fact that this and the album before showed an intense drive at melody over blasphemous ferocity.Viking metal was the result of this album. Viking metal later took on an entire subgenre of black-metal and while much of later Viking metal is much faster it has not smited the melody entirely. This Bathory album happens to be its own album entirely. This album has incredible guitar solos and melody throughout it mid paced tempo and its use of beautiful acoustic passage opening and progressive charge give it a furthering melody that many can appreciate. The songs incant feelings of the past and the pride of viking warriors preparing for battle, waging war and then sailing home after victory.I would say that a fan of any style of metal could enjoy this. It does not need help to discover its obvious catchyness and melody."