This “a tribute to” sort of compilation was out on cd in 1988 through No Fashion Records. A couple of years later, it was re-released on vinyl too. Let me elaborate on the vinyl version.

I must say I have never been to ardent a fan of such releases, since how these covers can compare to real BATHORY, right? However, I can perfectly understand the musicians who partake in such projects. Which is especially understandable when it comes to such awesome bands as BATHORY for example. Because BATHORY is considered by many to be the godfather of Black Metal. Also, it is interesting to note that the participants are the Scandinavian metal music elite. I would say some other bands should have participated in this project as well like DARKTHRONE, WATAIN, HADES, ENSLAVED , MEFISTO, or TORMENTOR(who are Hungarian, but strongly connected with the Nordic metal due to MAYHEM). And the bands featured on this compilation have always revered the above-mentionedgroups. Anyhow, In Conspiracy with Satan seems the most interesting BATHORYcompilation ever.

Side A

The compilation begins with MARDUK and their version of In Conspiracy with Satan. Well-performed, but way too soft, if you ask me. Especially the drums and guitar solos aren’t powerful enough. The vocals, on the flip side, are amazingly good.

OPHTHALAMIA`s Sacrifice is totally different. However, the way the drums sound isn’t too coherent with other elements. I want to say that the original song is more obscure and grim. Still, this is a decent cover song, no worries.

Now, we have GEHENNAH and immortal Reaper. Hell, this one is good, really. GEHENNAH managed to recreate the old-school vibe of the original version in a perfect way…one of my favourite songs on this compilation, for sure.

Side A ends with DARK FUNERAL and their version of Equimanthorn. This is a very intense, expressive and poisonous song which does crush! Nothing to complain about.

Side B

As for EMPEROR, A Fine Day to Die seems an obvious choice. This is a very well-performed cover song and played faster than original. However, when it comes to its march-like, catchy fragments, well, these fail to sound as powerful as the original BATHORY version. Not even mentioning vocals whichfar worse from Quorthon`s. This is another proof of how BATHORYoutclasses other bands, even such renownacts like EMPEROR. Yes, skills aren’t enough, I am afraid.

Next is LORD BELIALand another immortal song – Massacre. Good vocals with crushing, very distinct guitars. Alas, drumming isn’t too good and disturbs the flow of the song. All in all, this is not bad, but there are better covers on In Conspiracy with Satan.

THE ABYSScloses B side with their Armageddon. Not bad, but there is no heart in this cover version, I am afraid.

Side C

MARDUK again and their interpretation of Woman of Dark Desires. Would be much better if it wasn’t for bad drumming, really. Their version is, let’s say, decent, especially when it comes to these slower, march like moments. But it all seems too sterile and definitely lacks the vibe of the Under the Signalbum. Sure, MARDUK most likely wanted to sound “good” when performing BATHORYsongs, but I think they should’ve elaborated on it a bit more.

NIFELHEIM is my favourite band on this release. Their version of die in fire is very similar to early bathory songs. Yes, its atmosphere is what we can find on bathory early releases. This is my cup of tea, no doubt.

NECROPHOBIC`s Enter the Eternal Fireis very decent. A good job indeed but still lacking this very ingredient the versions by NIFELHEIM and GEHENNAH have got. These are best and heteed up my horned soul.

The last band on C Side is DARK FUNERAL and Call from the Grave. This is another awesome cover this compilation futures…it smashes my mind completely, the tempo is perfect, and so is the sound. I can feel thatdarknessis filling up my possessed soul. Yes, this track is a perfect match to end C Side.

Side D

I wasn’t too sure of what to expect from SACRAMENTUM and 13 Candles. Well, I must say this is a very fine cover song, maybe not superb because of the drums which spoil the atmosphere. Anyhow, a good cover song, this one.

A nice surprise is to see UNANIMATED and their really good version of Raise the Dead. The guitar solo is a bit too weird to my taste, but apart from that I am happy. The rest is very good and bulldozing to the max.

Another blast to the back of my head is SATYRICON and Born for Burning. The song itself is awesome and especially its end turns you into bloody mess, but also SATYRICON managed to recreate the old-school atmosphere very well. The sound isn’t as sterile as MARDUK`s. Another black gem in the BATHORYcrown and a good cover song with plenty offeeling in it.

WAR (and the War track) is the last band on this compilation and a good match to end it. Pretty energetic and not too fast, I must admit. The drumming spoils the atmosphere a little bit, in my humble opinion.

In Conspiracy with Satan - A Tribute to Bathory perfectly shows how influential BATHORYhas always been to thousands of bands. There is no doubt that, with all due respect to VENOM of course, black metal would be totally different if it wasn’t for BATHORY.