BATHORY · Requiem | PICTURE DISC LP

Limited picture disc edition.

Background information about 'Requiem'

Bathory's "Requiem" stands as one of the most controversial and misunderstood albums in the legendary Swedish black metal pioneer's catalog. Originally released in 1994, this album marked a dramatic departure from Quorthon's previous Viking metal epics, diving headfirst into a more experimental and introspective realm. The record opens with the haunting "Immaculate Pinetreeroad #930" and continues through tracks like "Born To Die" and "Psychopath", showcasing a band willing to push boundaries and challenge expectations. The album's raw production and unconventional song structures created a polarizing effect among fans, but time has revealed its genius as an ahead-of-its-time exploration of darker themes.

What makes "Requiem" particularly fascinating is how it bridges Bathory's black metal roots with elements that would later influence doom and sludge metal. Songs like "Grey" and "Century" demonstrate Quorthon's ability to craft atmospheric pieces that feel both crushing and contemplative. The album's exploration of psychological themes through tracks like "Sociopath" and "Schizianity" shows a maturity in songwriting that goes beyond typical metal tropes. While initially dismissed by some as too experimental, "Requiem" has gained recognition as an essential piece of Bathory's evolution and a testament to Quorthon's fearless artistic vision.

For fans of: Celtic Frost, Venom, Darkthrone, Mayhem and Burzum

Track listing

A1. Requiem
A2. Crosstitution
A3. Necroticus
A4. War Machine
A5. Blood And Soil
B1. Pax Vobiscum
B2. Suffocate
B3. Distinguish To Kill
B4. Apocalypse

Manufacturer: 375 Media GmbH, Schlachthofstraße 36A, 21079 Hamburg, Germany, Contact: www.blackmark.net