José Luis Cano Barron – From Hades to Valhalla… BATHORY – The Epic Story
Release Date: 29th May 2024
Publisher: Pagan Records / Monomaniax
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 156
Language: English
Pre-Order
Genre: Black Metal, Folk Metal.
FFO: Bathory, Mayhem, Celtic Frost, Venom.
Review By: Ceta
This is going to be different from what we usually review at Metalepidemic because this isn’t an album. It’s a book. However, it’s a book that couldn’t be more metal, as it tells the story of Quorthon, the mastermind behind Bathory—a project that unintentionally became a pioneer in Black and Viking metal. The story, like the music, is filled with myths and legends.
Despite all the unknowns, Cano tries to uncover the truth, organizing a complicated web of events despite most first-hand witnesses being gone or estranged from Bathory. The book effectively immerses us in a time when solo projects, where one or two people controlled every aspect of the music, were unheard of. It shows how Quorthon was truly ahead of his time, as this approach has now become the norm not only in metal but in music in general.
The structure of the book constantly changes between pictures, drawings, panels, double panels, and text over photos. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I liked it, but thanks to Cano’s brief and compact writing style, everything stays clear and easy to follow. There’s a clear understanding and admiration for the man behind Bathory, but always from a human perspective without elevating him to legendary status.
If I had any complaints, it would be that the book is rather short and follows a record-by-record sequence, which becomes a bit predictable. This is probably due to the lack of more content. However, that’s not Cano’s fault, since information about Bathory is extremely hard to find and sometimes impossible to verify. A book that puts the facts in order first is a great addition to the music literature. In fact, I wish there were more metal music-related books like this one.
Overall, From Hades to Valhalla is a book for anyone interested in the history of metal music and journalistic rigor. It’s not too long and is full of images that will make you reflect on a different time when evil was the ultimate goal of some artists. So, I’d recommend giving this book a read.
(3.5 / 5)
