One Rode to Asa Bay

Necrotoxin · Post by **Necrotoxin** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:51 am

I was listening to Hammerheart just a few minutes ago, and I must admit that it's epic, immortal, concluding masterpiece of a song moved me to the verge of tears. This must be my favourite song ever, at least in my top three or so, and consequently Hammerheart is my favourite Bathory album whatever the purists might have to say about that.

Hammerheart, and this song in particular, really just has it all in terms of being Metal to the bone; mammoth fucking riffs, pounding drums, screaming guitar solos, spine chilling vocals, a raw and crushing production and epicness of Homerian (spelling?) proportions. The music and lyrics of the song itself also have a certain narrative depth that is not very commonly achieved in Metal, or in music in general for that matter.

It's truly regrettable that Quorthon never managed to realize his vision for a music video to this song, based on the stills I've seen it would have been almost as epic as the song itself.

Now, fellow Bathory fans, rejoice in discussions and share your opinions on this mighty song, album and band.

msp · Post by **msp** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:17 pm

There is a video for this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDpc-831GPs

But you are right. Great song and album.

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:27 pm

Well said. The trilogy HAMMERHEART - TWILLIGHT OF THE GODS - BLOOD ON ICE belongs to the list of my all-time favorite stuff. I just love the epic doom feeling of these. There's a relative monotony on most of the songs which only adds to the atmosphere as far as i am concerned. Lyrics that only send shivers down my spine...etc...etc...

Timeless Metal

I just dug out an old and quite interesting thread about BATHORY here.

Necrotoxin · Post by **Necrotoxin** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:54 pm

msp wrote:There is a video for this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDpc-831GPs

But you are right. Great song and album.

I was always under the impression that most of the tapes were lost for some reason so the complete version of the video never saw the light of day... It certainly looks that way in that video, the video doesn't really follow the storyline of the song, some parts are drawn out (like the shot of the horseman throughout all of the first lead section, what's up with that?!?) etc. The scenes of the band playing are fucking awesome though, it's nice to now be able to visualize such a fucking cool band playing along to these classic songs haha. That Bathory logo / Goat paint job on Quorthon's guitar is brilliant!

ION BRITTON wrote: just dug out an old and quite interesting thread about BATHORY here.

Thanks, that's a cool thread. I've noticed those Manowar similarities as well, I was even thinking about creating a similar thread myself haha. Am I the only one to notice the nod to "For Whom the Bell Tolls" in the final riff of "Home of Once Brave"by the way?

The Sentinel · Post by **The Sentinel** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:19 pm

Yeah, that song is one out of a million, raw and epic to the bone. Visions of viking warfare and odin emerges in front of you while listening to this masterpiece. Shores in Flames is also a real chrusher.

While listening to this LP I can't stop looking at the unbelievable coverart, it fits the music perfectly. Imagine being part of the surroundings in that painting.

Definately an album made for eternity.

Khnud · Post by **Khnud** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:12 pm

The song that got me into metal, around 1990.

Witchkiller · Post by **Witchkiller** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:48 pm

A ,asterpiece ,a deed of great vision ,an imortal classic on it's own league. Nothing less could be said!

nightsblood · Post by **nightsblood** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:12 pm

great song & album

mordred · Post by **mordred** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:01 pm

What's there left to say about Hammerheart? Incomparable grandioseness.
My favourite song is "Shores in Flames" though. Quorthon's "FIIIIIIIREEEEEE!!!!" scream after the first chorus is a top metal moment.

On a side note, I bought the Nordland 1 album the other day. I had not heard it before, but it's classy epic stuff in the same vein, recommended to anyone who likes Hammerheart/Twilight of the Gods/Blood on Ice. Gotta check out Nordland 2 as well.

roihlem · Post by **roihlem** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:45 pm

I agree, immortal song and album, but in my opinion "Blood Ice" even tops both "Hammerheart" and "Twilight Of The Gods"...

Dirty Rocker · Post by **Dirty Rocker** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:07 am

Totally crushing stuff for sure.

King Zombie · Post by **King Zombie** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:11 am

The best song on that album is Valhalla, period. Epic, doomy and powerful.

bigfootkit · Post by **bigfootkit** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:35 am

Each to their own, but i can't really see the appeal of the song.
Sounds like Quorthon was trying to "do" Manowar, but it doesn't really come off, although the guitar solo is very good, very Ross The Boss like.
Aside from that, the song is overlong, derivative and repetitive to me.
I much prefer the era when Bathory ripped off Venom instead.

Professor Black · Post by **Professor Black** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:46 am

mordred wrote:On a side note, I bought the Nordland 1 album the other day. I had not heard it before, but it's classy epic stuff in the same vein, recommended to anyone who likes Hammerheart/Twilight of the Gods/Blood on Ice. Gotta check out Nordland 2 as well.

They're both excellent -- and I think 2 is actually the better album. That gives me an idea...

MEXDefenderOfSteel · Post by **MEXDefenderOfSteel** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:14 am

Khnud wrote:The song that got me into metal, around 1990.

enough said! haha

i have to say i got first into the "epic" Bathory than the early satanic stuff, even though i was barely 14, it really took me into that imaginary world that very few albums can create so perfectly well, i love both Hammerheart and Twilight of the gods although the singing on the second mention is not among my favorites