Bathory is one of the most important bands in the black metal world, however they’re also responsible for the spawn of the viking metal explosion in the 90’s.
After releasing Hammerheart, bandleader Quorthon proved he could excel in areas outside the genre he had pioneered. But it wasn’t until 1996 when he perfected his experimentation with the concept album Blood On Ice. More specifically during the “Meeting with the Mentor” stage known as The Lake.
Opening with a beautiful acoustic intro similar to the other songs on the record, it quickly ramps up to a dark atmospheric pace that instantly garners your attention. The soft spoken voice of Quorthon stands as one of his best melodic performances especially during the bridge. The incredibly detailed lyrics and infectious chorus are what makes this song an all-time classic.
The guitar tone is notably darker and more sinister than any of the remaining tracks. Complete with crystal clear production and thematic non-lexical vocables, this gem will always be the greatest melodic masterpiece of Bathory’s discography.
The song also serves as a key part of the overall storyline. A ten year old boy discovers he’s the only survivor of a deadly raid in his village carried out by horsemen of the “Twin-headed Beast.” He then lives on his own in the forest in order to cope with his haunting memories until he meets a One Eyed Old Man who envisions his future.
That’s where The Lake takes us through the journey of our protagonist and his plot for revenge. He’s informed about a notorious lake that has the power to show the future to anyone willing to throw their eyes into its mysterious depths. The protagonist decides it’s his best bet at defeating the infamous Beast.
However, the story doesn’t reach its true ending until The Revenge of the Blood on Ice where our main character beheads the beast’s, “two bloody scalps attached to a spear.” But The Lake still remains the highlight of the album.
All in all, Blood On Ice gave us some of the most epic story telling in heavy metal history. It can compete with best concept albums to date thanks to the powerhouse known as The Lake.
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