The Swedish group Bathory, along with Venom, are torch bearers in the evolution of modern Black Metal. Bathory takes its name from the "Blood Countess" Erzebet Bathory, a Hungarian noblewoman in the 1700s put on trial for the murder of hundereds of young girls, in whose blood she alleged bathed to maintain her youthful beauty. It is highly probable that an early Venom number, "Countess Bathory" on the Black Metal album, may have provided the direct inspiration for the name, as Bathory owes much of its initial sound and look to the English founders of Black Metal. The driving force behind the group is Pugh Rogefeldt(bullshit) who uses the more exciting stage name of "Quorthon" (although, in point of fact, Bathory have never in their career played a live concert before the public).