Hellhammer

HELLHAMMER is an important and unique band in the history of black and death metal because--despite the short lifespan of the band--they have hugely influenced so many extreme bands down to this day.  The band formed in 1982 as Hammerhead before changing their name to Hellhammer.  The lineup shifted a bit, with members coming and going, but it all centered around Tom Warrior (born Thomas Gabriel Fischer).  Hellhammer was all about creating primitive, extreme metal influenced by Black Sabbath, Motorhead, and Venom.

"Death Fiend," from the 1983 demo Triumph of Death

In 1983, Hellhammer had recorded the demo Death Fiend (which initially went unreleased), and they released the demo Triumph of Death in June.  This showcased a sound that noticeably differed from what Venom was doing, yet at the same time the influence of the British black metal pioneers could be heard.  Hellhammer's was a raw and dirty sound, much less influenced by the NWOBHM production values so clearly present in Venom's work.

From the Satanic Rites demo, this is "Eurynomos"

In 1984, however, Martin Ain had joined the band on bass and became a major contributor to the sound of Hellhammer.  The resulting demo was Satanic Rites.  The raw, dirty edge is still present, but there's a little more of the vicious speed associated with black and death metal.  After this demo, Hellhammer went on to release their one proper studio release: the EP entitled Apocalyptic Raids.

"The Third of the Storms," from 1984's Apocalyptic Raids

By this time, Hellhammer's mark had been made on the metal underground.  The rawness of their style, the evil of their lyrical content, the intensity  of their music--these hallmarks of black metal played a big role in the genre's sound during the 1980s.  But Tom Warrior and Martin Ain began to feel limited by the more primitive aesthetic of Hellhammer and wanted to do something different, more expansive.  Thus, Hellhammer broke up in May of 1984....only to shortly re-form as Celtic Frost in June (more on that legendary band at a later date).

The evil bastards of Hellhammer

Select Discography

Death Fiend (demo) (1983)

Triumph of Death (demo) (1983)

Satanic Rites (demo) (1983)

Apocalyptic Raids EP (1984)
Demon Entrails (demo compilation) (2008)

Tomorrow: MERCYFUL FATE