Editing Hellhammer (section)

== History ==

Inspired by the music of [[Black Sabbath]], [[Venom (band)|Venom]], [[Raven (band)|Raven]], [[Motörhead]]<ref>Fischer (2000), pp. 62 & 64.</ref> and [[Angel Witch]],<ref name="rollingstone" /> guitarist/vocalist [[Thomas Gabriel Fischer]] (a.k.a. "Tom Warrior"), bassist/vocalist Urs Sprenger (a.k.a. "Savage Damage" and "Steve Warrior") and drummer Pete Stratton formed '''Hammerhead''' (later Hellhammer) in early 1982.<ref>Fischer (2000), p. 65.</ref> Although Fischer "was not into punk at all," he was "blown away" by the [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]] records ''[[Why (Discharge EP)|Why]]'' and ''[[Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing]]'',<ref>Bennett (2009), p. 34.</ref> which profoundly influenced his music from then on. As he noted, a lack of [[extreme metal]] at the time meant that fans of Venom and Motörhead often had to resort to punk bands for similar sounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/tom-g-warrior-on-celebrating-hellhammer-with-triumph-of-death-i-really-wanted-to-do-this-before-the-end-of-my-days/|title=TOM G. WARRIOR On Celebrating HELLHAMMER With TRIUMPH OF DEATH: 'I Really Wanted To Do This Before The End Of My Days'|date=30 August 2019|access-date=27 August 2021|archive-date=27 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827174855/https://blabbermouth.net/news/tom-g-warrior-on-celebrating-hellhammer-with-triumph-of-death-i-really-wanted-to-do-this-before-the-end-of-my-days/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[GBH (band)|GBH]] and [[Anti-Nowhere League]] also proved influential.<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/tom-g-warrior-celtic-frost-hellhammer-interview-848041/|title=The Triumph of Tom G. Warrior|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=15 August 2019|access-date=27 August 2021|archive-date=17 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217150658/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/tom-g-warrior-celtic-frost-hellhammer-interview-848041/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the exit of Stratton and drummer Jörg Neubart (a.k.a. "Denial Fiend" and "Bruce Day") joining in the ranks in autumn 1982, Hellhammer attempted to find proper rehearsal spaces, which proved difficult due to either exceedingly high rents or unavailable studio hours.<ref>Fischer (2000), pp. 65 & 66.</ref> In June 1983, the group recorded their [[demo tape]], ''[[Triumph of Death (Hellhammer)|Triumph of Death]]'', for a mere $70.<ref>Fischer (2000), p. 72.</ref> Despite being embarrassed by the end results, Hellhammer shipped their demo to a number of [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] magazines, such as Great Britain's ''[[Metal Forces]]''; critical response toward them was generally favorable.<ref>Fischer (2000), p. 73.</ref> Although rejected by the labels they sent tapes to, the band eventually caught the attention of a newcomer German label, [[Noise Records]].<ref>Fischer (2000), p. 75.</ref>

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 perception of being limited within the confines of the purposely primitive Hellhammer vehicle. Hellhammer disbanded in May 1984, and Fischer and Ain formed a new band under the name of Celtic Frost in June.<ref name=cf80 />