Bathory was a Swedish heavy metal band, and is regarded as one of the forefathers of the black metal and viking metal genres. The band's name is taken from the infamous "blood countess," Erzsébet Báthory.
Bathory was formed in Stockholm in 1983, for fun, by the then 18-year-old Quorthon. After various names and numerous line-up changes, the group finally settled on Bathory. That same year, Quorthon managed to secure the consent of Tyfon Grammofon's boss to record two tracks for the compilation Scandinavian Metal Attack.