Bathory (band)

Bathory was a Swedish extreme metal band formed in Vällingby in March 1983. Frontman, founder and sole songwriter Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg was the sole constant member, and was at times responsible for all instruments. Named after Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory, Bathory is considered a pioneer of black metal (alongside Venom, Hellhammer and Mercyful Fate) and Viking metal. The book Lords of Chaos described Bathory's first four albums as "the blueprint for Scandinavian black metal." The band stopped performing live early on in its career and never toured.