Bathory started out as one of the first black metal band in the 80's. The band has inspired some of the big black metal bands we know today -
Immortal for example. Quorthon, the mastermind behind the band, has experienced with a lot of genres throughout the band's history. Finally he seems to have found a genre that fits him well - Epic Viking Metal.
Nordland I ("Nordland" means "North Land") takes us on a musical journey through the North. The lyrics deal with pretty much everything that has to do with Nordic mythology, Vikings, fascination of nature and so on and so forth. There are no elements left from the black metal genre - but you are still not in doubt that this is
Bathory playing. They have somehow managed to innovate and take the music to a new level while keeping the good old
Bathory feel.
Nordland I has the best sound I have heard on a
Bathory album - but that really doesn't say very much. It has almost become a trademark for
Bathory to have bad productions of their albums. It doesn't make much sense, but it is actually one of the things I have learned to like about them - it is a just part of their image.
Quorthon uses clean vocals on this album, and how well he succeeds in that is a good question. On one hand he doesn't really know how to sing, but on the other hand the vocals fit the music just fine. The songs all have a great atmosphere and the epic melodies are very good as well. In some of the songs there are samples of horse riding, sword fighting and the like - this all helps to make the album more complete. Also choir is used to give this album an almost majestic feel.
The album opens with a
Prelude. It is very picturesque, and it gives a good idea of the general
Nordland I feel. The title track
Nordland is one my favorites on the album. It has a long intro that builds up; the guitar sound is very heavy which goes for almost all the songs.
Ring of Gold is an acoustic low paced song - again the melody is good, but here Quorthon's vocals irritate me. There is just too big a contrast between them and the beautiful acoustic guitar.
Foreverdark Woods starts out with sounds of horse riding in a forest - then it progresses to something that reminds me of folk music - later the heavy guitars take over.
Nordland I is an interesting album in many ways. The most remarkable about it is the epic melodies and the great compositions. Most fans of Viking Metal should buy this album for their collection. Watch out for
Bathory's next album called .. you guessed it:
Nordland II.
Written by
Anders Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Show all reviews by AndersRatingsAnders: 6.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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