Hellhammer

Hellhammer are a Swiss extreme metal group from Nürensdorf, active from 1982 to 1984. They are part of the early development of black metal and are also associated with thrash metal, with their music influencing black metal, death metal and doom metal. Their style is described as mid-paced proto-black metal, although some material moves into slower doom territory.

Formation and early line-up

Guitarist and vocalist Thomas Gabriel Warrior, known at the time as Satanic Slaughter, and bassist and vocalist Steve Warrior form the group in March 1982 under the name Hammerhead. Drummer Bruce Day joins soon afterwards. The lineup later changes when Steve Warrior is replaced by former Schizo bassist Martin Eric Ain. Other members linked with the group include Pete Stratton, Mike Owens, Steven Priestly and Vince Caretti.

Recordings and releases

Hellhammer’s demo tapes Death Fiend, Triumph of Death and Satanic Rites circulate as underground favourites in 1983. Their four-track EP Apocalyptic Raids appears in 1984 through Germany-based Noise Records and is regarded as one of the heaviest and most extreme records of its time. A split release, Death Metal, also appears in 1984. The EP is later reissued in expanded form as Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D. in 1990, and a further compilation, Demon Entrails, appears in 2008.

Legacy

By the time Apocalyptic Raids is released, the group has already broken up, but its recordings become important reference points for later black metal, death metal, doom metal and thrash metal bands. Hellhammer’s reputation also extends through cover versions by other metal acts, including Napalm Death and Sepultura, both of whom record versions of the song “Messiah”.

After Hellhammer

Thomas Gabriel Warrior and Martin Eric Ain later form Celtic Frost in summer 1984, carrying forward the influence of Hellhammer into a more widely known and highly influential project.