BATHORY · Octagon | BLACK TAPE

Black music cassette.

Background information about 'Octagon'

Bathory's "Octagon" stands as one of the most divisive yet fascinating chapters in the legendary Swedish black metal pioneer's catalog. Originally released in 1995, this album marked a dramatic departure from Quorthon's earlier Viking metal epics, diving headfirst into a more experimental and industrial-tinged soundscape that left many fans scratching their heads. The album opens with the haunting "Immaculate Pinetreeroad #930 / Born To Die", immediately establishing an atmosphere that's both familiar and completely alien to longtime followers of the band.

What makes "Octagon" so compelling is its willingness to embrace uncomfortable sonic territories while maintaining that signature Bathory darkness. Tracks like "Psychopath" and "Sociopath" showcase Quorthon's fascination with psychological themes, wrapped in layers of distorted guitars and unconventional song structures. The album's second half, featuring cuts like "War Supply" and "Schizianity", continues this exploration of mental fragmentation and societal decay. While it may not have the immediate impact of classics like "Under the Sign of the Black Mark", "Octagon" rewards patient listeners with its dense, almost claustrophobic atmosphere that feels more relevant today than ever.

For fans of:
Celtic Frost, Samael, and early Ministry

Track listing

A1. Immaculate Pinetreeroad #930 / Born To Die
A2. Psychopath
A3. Sociopath
A4. Grey
A5. Century
B1. 33 Something
B2. War Supply
B3. Schizianity
B4. Judgement Of Posterity
B5. Deuce
B6. Outro

Manufacturer: 375 Media GmbH, Schlachthofstraße 36A, 21079 Hamburg, Germany, Contact: www.backonblack.com