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For those not familiar with this band then you must not be a fan of black metal or what has come to be known as a Viking Metal. Bathory is for all intensive purposes a one-man show with that man being Quarthon. Bathory started out 20 years ago and although they were much faster and more raw back then I would have to say they have improved immeasurably since their humble beginnings. This might sound like heresy to the troo and Kvlt fans of their earlier work but to be honest I never cared for their earlier work in any case. To me this new album "Nordland I" is by far their best work to date.

I never thought I would say that I found a Bathory album relaxing but this is how this album comes across to me as I sit back and listen to it for maybe the 10th time. Some of the intros to the songs are like sample’s taken directly from one of those new age sounds of nature CD’s used to relieve stress. This statement alone will scare off a few metal heads but let me reassure you this album is out and out metal. These intros seem to add a very epic kind of feel to the overall music giving a real sense of something larger in scope. It also tends to build an almost palpable sense of anticipation that is finally released when the song really begins to kick in. Everything about this album seems to blend together so well it all seems to have a very distinct purpose. I swear at times it seems as though Quorthon is taking you on an intimate and personal tour of "Nordland" itself by showing all the grace and harmony that exists which seems to be put to music on this disc.

Overall this album was not what I was expecting but I am certainly pleasantly surprised with what I got. If you are a fan of the epic style of slow black metal this is certainly a must have album. Highly Recommended

Favorite Tracks- Broken Sword, Foreverdark Woods, Mother Earth Father Thunder.