Hellhammer

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(1982 – 1984)

Hellhammer was an early-1980s extreme metal band, hailing from Switzerland and popular briefly in Europe in the mid-1980s. They were a vital influence on black metal, death metal and doom metal, although their sound is most accurately described as mid-paced, proto-black metal (with exceptions such as the doom paced “Triumph of Death”). Members went on to form the massively influential band Celtic Frost.

Biography

Guitarist/vocalist Tom Gabriel Fischer (then known as Satanic Slaughter) and bassist/vocalist Steve Warrior formed the band in March 1982, originally naming it “Hammerhead”. They were subsequently joined by drummer Bruce Day. In spite of their rather marginal musical and technical quality, demo tapes called Triumph of Death and Satanic Rites became underground, word-of-mouth hits and the band was eventually picked up by German-based Noise Records (1984). Steve Warrior had been replaced by former Schizo bassist Martin Eric Ain, a change which marked the beginning of a serious and radical transformation in the band’s music and lyrics. These changes were ultimately responsible for Fischer’s and Ain’s increasing feeling of being limited within the confines of the purposely primitive Hellhammer vehicle.

Legacy

A legendary four-track 12” EP, Apocalyptic Raids, was released in March 1984. At the time, it was regarded as one of the heaviest and most extreme records yet produced.
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Top Albums

  • Satanic Rites
    Hellhammer Play
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  • Demon Entrails
    Hellhammer Play
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  • Apocalyptic Raids
    Hellhammer Play
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  • Triumph of Death
    Hellhammer Play
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Top Tracks

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  • NecroPanzer

    Yes, Hellhammer is obviously shitty, raw, primitive, and disgusting. And that's how Black Metal, Punk and other Extreme Metal genres are supposed to be.

    8 days ago
  • marsredsky

    there's something so goddamn weird and cool about that guitar style

    12 days ago
  • Endzeitlager

    You must be talking about your taste/sanity.

    13 days ago
  • Goatsemen

    Over-rated and loses its spark

    17 days ago
  • FinckBh

    \/ I can't disagree of your opinion

    21 days ago
  • Kashnum

    Buried And Forgotten is legendary song... fuckin' awesome doom!

    last month
  • DER-MAGIER

    There was no weapon against hammerhead... \,,,/

    last month
  • XxEMPRAHxX

    MESSIAH

    last month
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