Bathory were a highly influential Swedish heavy metal band, regarded as one of the forefathers of black metal, founder of viking metal, and one of the most influential groups in the development of folk metal. The band's name is taken from the infamous "blood countess," Elizabeth Báthory.

Bathory was the project of the Tomas “Ace” Börje Forsberg ( Quorthon , 17th February 1966 - 3rd June 2004). Bathory was a landmark band in the history of black metal. Most second wave black metal bands were influenced by the ground work laid by Bathory.The name was taken from Elizabeth (Erzsebet) Bathory , who was a 17th century Hungarian noblewoman, who enjoyed bathing in young women’s blood. Estimates on number of girls she killed are between 600/700. Bathory started as a black metal ba