review by: Roberto Martinelli

Since Blood on Ice (I can never shake the image of some ridiculous Disney ice capades show when I hear that), Bathory fans have lamented as the albums by this black/ Viking metal institution had gotten more and more dire. Bathory's sole, practical member, Quorthon, had contributed many groundbreaking albums in his time since the mid-80s, but he was slowing down. I, for one, figured that this project that is largely credited with shaping the second (and most important) wave of black metal had died down.

Sure, last year Bathory put out Destroyer of Worlds. In truth I only heard a bit of it, but honestly I was unwilling to based on negative feedback about it. A song about hockey ("Sudden Death") sealed it. When metal bands write songs about sports - like Forbidden (football) and Slayer (rugby) - you know that they're full on their way down the slippery slope.

But it seems that the predictions of Bathory's demise were premature. After a lethargic period comes this flurry of activity: two albums in as many years. And the new album is a total return to form of the classic Viking sound that Bathory began with the album Hammerheart. Nordland I may not be overall as strong as Twilight of the Gods, my personal favorite, but it's very on par. Certainly elements of I are better than anything done before by Bathory. The production is the best yet; I'm not sure if a drum machine is still being used as the percussion sounds so good. The guitars and traditional instruments are clearer and fuller than ever.

Quorthon is still a lousy singer, but he's applying his meager talents in ways that work. Such is the case with the triumphant title track, an eight-minute heavy metal tune with rough, simple beats and riffs that support irresistible harmonized choruses and vocal melodies. "Nordland I" may be the best song Bathory has written. Then things go pretty downhill in the vocal department with the next two songs, where Quorthon sounds like he's a 70-year old Viking who smokes way too much. Compounding this unfortunate approach are phrasings that sound like melodies lifted and then shortened from Twilight of the Gods. Luckily, these vocals are limited only to these two songs.

Other highlights of the album include another simple yet stirring melody in the form of a mandolin intro to the equally good song "Ring of Gold," and unforgettable melodies in the charging, double bass song "Mother Earth Father Thunder." The outro featuring rowing sounds of a creaky boat amongst lapping waves is a nice touch.

A word of warning: Bathory is an acquired taste. If you're just getting into it you might not see what the big deal is. Objectively you may be right. From a contemporary metal point of view, there isn't anything extreme or particularly impressive about this or really any Bathory album. Partially that's because Bathory did a lot of things that bands were later inspired by, so the result is that the original ends up sounding like a generic copy to those that never heard the original in the first place (such is the case with much of the Blood, Fire, Death album, the last proper black metal effort by Bathory on which you can hear so much of what Emperor did early in their careers). Quorthon can't sing and he's a merely a good musician. The songs are simple in a truly old school heavy metal with a Viking element way. So if you're looking for something to wow you, you may be disappointed. However, for fans of this indispensable project, Bathory is back in full force. Let's hope it stays that was for Nordland II and beyond.