Bathory Unprecedented in its authoritative definition of reductionism, The Return...... establishes the foundation for what has come to be known in common acceptance as Black Metal. Whereas Bathory’s debut explored these foundational themes, it did so with indiscreet assistance of characteristic elements from other influential styles. Here, those elements are not entirely excluded, yet are relegated to obscure aural shadows, as the formalized substance in the sonic shape of primal black evil tyrannically asserts itself. In this sense, it is the first proper Black Metal album in the true meaning of the term. Venom was artistically off the mark and lacked sincerity, and Hellhammer/Celtic Frost lacked the speed and demoniacal frenzy. Most importantly, this kind of pitch-black atmosphere and corrosive evil had never before been so convincingly articulated as on The Return...... As such, it stands as the clearest and most pronounced source of musical inspiration for the pioneers of Black Metal as a formally defined style, particularly the early 1990s Norwegian movement initiated by Mayhem, DarkThrone, and Immortal. The structural expansion and fluctuation which allows for wider atmospheric space takes this effort a level beyond the debut into an essential realm of its own in which originated a primordial spirit of unbridled expression in the exploration of artistic possibilities in grand and bewilderingly dark music. "In the blackened sky of
twilight the Wind of Mayhem blow Through a crude quality of sound, these songs howl forth seething nocturnal lust and savagely evil objectives in unlawful treatment of traditional rock music forms, basic structures twisted and inverted, as if diabolically injected, possessed and hellbent on destroying the religious dogma grounding social morality. Tirelessly minimalist rhythms in racing speed metal tempo navigate this music towards a reckless yet self-determined conclusion, conducted by churning, atmospheric riffs and the commentary of manically possessed solos conspiring with demons in a conjuration of darkness. The hell-ripped screams of Quorthon, in rhythmically patterned violent emotion, represent anti-social rebellion of the independent human spirit that is the kernel of heavy metal as an idea of expression, yet here delivered with a malevolent and restless satanic darkness of the inner-self unimaginable before its time of artistic realization. Summoning the nihilistic spirit of darkness in total night and feverishly thirsting for the blood of sacrificed virgins, this music wants to crush establishments of structural restriction and defile the purity and innocence of holy virtue. "Sacrifice a virgin to the
flames of burning Hell This music’s primitive struggle illustrated in furious acceleration reflects the incensed human spirit striving to assert its independence in impassioned exclamation of destruction of institutions of conformity and restraint. Emphasizing its intention in incessant rhythmic determination, the mysteries of darkened realms discovers an exploration like a sonic witchcraft, revealing secrecies in alternate structures as an enhanced musical clarity in the form of obscure melody provides a channel for the power of elemental forces to propagate in an atmosphere of enveloping darkness. Sexual lust pulses through a raging constancy of rhythmic current to enforce the striving revelry in the will to be, spitting venom in the face of the encouragement of guilt and coercion of shame in the grip of soul possession, seized by the unyielding flow of universal essence. Through the cryptic screams and ritualistic riffs a ceremonial mood is established, an inspiration of the relentless hatred of inverted Christian morality, and a celebration of re-inversion in the anticipation of evil domination by the prodigy of the damned. Music of violent desire fueled by the darkness of blasphemous power. 2/10/08 Tracklisting: 1. Revelation Of Doom/Total Destruction Bathory Discography: Bathory
(Under One Flag/Black Mark, 1984)
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