What makes Requiem by Bathory notable?

'Requiem' is notable for its brutal sound and lyrical content that addresses themes of war and mortality. Although it didn't achieve mainstream commercial success, it solidified Bathory's influence on the black and thrash metal scenes, inspiring countless bands that followed. Released on November 14, 1994, 'Requiem' was Bathory's seventh studio album, following the critically acclaimed 'Hammerheart' from 1990. At this point, Bathory had firmly established themselves as pioneers of the Viking metal genre while continuing to push the boundaries of black metal.

How many songs are on Requiem?

Requiem has 9 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

Requiem

Bathory · 1994

33 min · 9 tracks · black metal

A chaotic blend of black metal ferocity and thrash metal aggression, steeped in dark thematic explorations.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Requiem — The title track encapsulates the album's dark themes through its relentless pace and intricate guitar work, setting a foreboding tone for the entire record.
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War Machine — With its aggressive riffs and militaristic lyrics, this track exemplifies the album's exploration of conflict and violence, making it a standout piece.
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Blood and Soil — This track merges raw energy with poignant lyrics about nationalism and sacrifice, reflecting Bathory's shift toward more politically charged themes in their music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The album's aggressive sound and thematic focus create a strong identity within the black metal genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that sets a dark tone, followed by tracks that maintain a relentless pace with aggressive guitar riffs and blast beat drumming.
Several songs feature abrupt tempo changes, shifting from chaotic thrash sections to slower, more atmospheric passages.
Lyrical themes of war and mortality are consistently explored across the tracks, often delivered with harsh vocal styles that enhance the album's intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Requiem 5:00
2 Crosstitution 3:16
3 Necroticus 3:19
4 War Machine 3:18
5 Blood and Soil 3:34
6 Pax Vobiscum 4:13
7 Suffocate 3:36
8 Distinguish to Kill 3:16
9 Apocalypse 3:49

What to play next

Listen next

Octagon

1995

Go back to

Jubileum Volume II

1993

Full Bathory discography Artists like Bathory

black metal thrash metal viking metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata