Review by Rexorcist for Bathory - Under the Sign of the Black Mark (1987)
I actually use this album as one of many black metal albums that help drown out sound when doing... believe it or not... goat farming chores. A couple of screams from specific goats give me headaches, but black metal, for whatever reason, does not. Maybe because I'm use to it? Anyway, I've heard this album a few times by this point, and I have to say, I was totally overrating it when I first heard it and gave it a 91/100, but it's still not bad at all. Many of the songs share ideas, but they also go quickly enough to justify their short length. Everything is very catchy while still feeling a little undercooked, as Quorthon still had a little growing to do before his magnificent masterwork, Blood Fire Death. This one's more punkish, standard thrash and simplistic, but self-aware for the most part, and highly catchy. As well, even longer songs like ENter the Eternal Fire, landing just below the 7-minute mark, manage to justify the length with a properly epic slow pace and some wonderful rhythmic riffage. In fact, the major riffs of the album are probably the stronges points. But some songs, notably Massacre and Equimanthorn, share some very similar ideas. So while this album isn't the most origjnal of Bathory's works, it's quite a bit of fun and its quickness gives it good replay value.
84
Comments (1)
"This one's more punkish, standard thrash and simplistic" That is just utterly false. There is nothing here that is remotely "punkish". The icy cold serrated guitars and dissonant riffing work is nothing like any hardcore punk at all. That judgement just sounds like auditory pareidolia or something. Standard thrash also shows very little in common with this album. Blood Fire Death is the one that is ACTUALLY standard thrash. This is a clear mix up you made and it's kind of shortsighted. Also 91/100 is underrating the album.
"So while this album isn't the most origjnal of Bathory's works" Are you kidding? This IS Bathory's most Original works, Blood Fire Death is even less original than Under the Sign. This album is literally arguably the most original, and unique album of 1987. Bathory completely departed from previous influences and sound styles, and made something entirely new with this album. You dont hear the cold wind steely sound of Massacre, or the chainsaw onslaught of Chariots of Fire anywhere else. Or the warm hellish sound of Call from the Grave. Its industrial, mechanized auditory slaughter. I give this album a 96/100.