Varathron: His Majesty at the Swamp (1993)

Here we arrive at Varathron's first full-length album, one I have heard a lot about and kept meaning to check out.  This album is legendary, both within the band's discography and the scene at large.  It is also legendary in black metal circles.  Decibel Magazine elected it to its Hall of Fame, and it is absolutely worthy.

The name of the album conjures up intriguing imagery, captured by the album cover.  The sound fits well with that imagery because it is a murky and swampy sounding release that brightness occasionally shines through.

Varathron has dialed back the thrash influences on this album in favor of a more mid-paced stomp.  The riffing style has stayed the same, punctuated by wandering lead guitar melodies.  The band never really sits still on anything too long, crafting an epic and ever-changing sound that never gets old and always retains interest.  The vocals return to a more decayed whisper as if from a creature rising from the swampy depths itself.  I am not sure why the band returned to this style, but it works well for this release.

This has long been considered an absolutely essential release for the Hellenic black metal scene.  And after years of hearing that, I finally checked it out and realized how true it is.  This album is incredible and it has earned its place at the top of the Hellenic black metal scene.