Founded by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Quorthon in 1983, Sweden’s Bathory played black metal. The band was instrumental in the development of not only black metal but also what would become known as Viking metal. Bathory released 12 full-length studio albums, as well as various compilation albums. Although there were various other members in Bathory at one time or the other, Quorthon was the mastermind, with later albums performed and recorded exclusively by him. As for the band’s name, it was inspired by none other than the “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Bathory.
Released in 1990, Hammerheart was the fifth album released by Bathory. This album continued the path Quorthon forged with 1988’s Blood Fire Death, namely a transition from black metal to a more epic sound with Viking sagas and legends serving as lyrical inspiration. Unlike previous albums, Hammerheart dealt exclusively with Vikings. It also features the track “One Rode to Asa Bay,” which as it turned out was the only song made into a video for the band.
Although often overshadowed by “One Rode to Asa Bay,” the opening track, “Shores in Flames,” remains my personal favorite track from Hammerheart. At little more than 11 minutes long, the song is epic from start to finish. It’s this epic sound, harsh but melodic, that would inspire countless bands that followed in the development of Viking metal. The song starts off quietly, with sounds of the ocean cascading between the speakers. As the waves increase in intensity, a lone acoustic guitar strums along, also building in intensity until Quorthon’s melodic vocals kick in.
After a few versus, the song explodes with epic fury, with Vvornth’s drums weaving an epic wave of power while the combined guitar riffs of Quorthon and Kothaar definitely get the blood pumping. Quorthon also uses his hardened but clean voice for the verses, complementing these with rousing background chants and wails that really make the song sound epic. The guitar solos are also quite rousing, tapping into NWOBHM and at times even power metal to achieve a stirring, larger-than-life sound. The song closes with a Viking horn, followed by the sounds of a longboat in flames.
Lyrically, the song deals with the Viking desire for exploration and conquest, one that led them to the shores of the North American continent. The theme is fire, which serves as a sign of conquest but also that of purification. The words start off with the end of winter, which signals the desire to “set your sails and let me take your ship to foreign shores.” As the song continues, the warriors at last come ashore and see a city’s “walls rise before use men from the seas, carrying cold steel at our sides.” The warriors attack the city, leaving the shores in flames before sailing for home. The song ends with the lead warrior growing old and passing away. Early Viking tradition dictated that such leaders be burned on their longships, and so it is with him: “And lay my sword down at my side/Then place me on a ship of oak/and let it drift with tide/Let the flames purify my soul.”
Many bands, from Enslaved and Amon Amarth to Kampfar and Tyr, have created masterpieces of Viking metal. In my opinion, the genre began with Bathory, which set the standard for both the music and the lyrics. In many ways, Hammerheart is the archetypal Viking metal album, and in my opinion “Shores in Flames” is the standard for Viking metal songs. One listen and your heart with pump like a hammer in mighty Thor’s hardened clutches.
About the Song of the Week: Every week, I will pick a metal song that has captured my attention above all others. I hope you enjoy this series, so please leave a comment after you have read this article and others.
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