Editing Hellhammer

{{Short description|Swiss extreme metal band}}
{{for|the drummer also known as Hellhammer|Jan Axel Blomberg}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Hellhammer
| image            = Hellhammer (band).jpg
| caption          = 
| origin           = [[Nürensdorf]], Switzerland
| genre            = [[Black metal]],<ref name="sputnik" >{{cite web | url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/Hellhammer/1366/ | title=Hellhammer reviews, music, news - sputnikmusic }}</ref> [[thrash metal]]<ref name="sputnik" />
| years_active     = 1982–1984
| label            = [[Noise Records|Noise]], [[Century Media Records|Century Media]]
| spinoffs         = [[Celtic Frost]]
| website          = {{URL|hellhammer.org}}
| current_members  = 
| past_members     = 
*[[Thomas Gabriel Fischer]]
*Urs Sprenger
*Pete Stratton
*Jörg Neubart
*[[Martin Eric Ain]]
| module           = {{Infobox
| child           = yes
| header1         =
| headerstyle     = background:#b0c4de
| data2           = [[File:Hellhammer Logo.svg|220px]]
}}
}}
'''Hellhammer''' was a Swiss [[extreme metal]] band from [[Nürensdorf]], active from 1982 to 1984. Although the band's sound and style were heavily criticized and poorly reviewed during their active years,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/hellhammer-the-tortured-black-metal-outcasts-who-created-a-monster | title=Hellhammer: The tortured black metal outcasts who created a monster | date=5 June 2020 | access-date=21 July 2022 | archive-date=21 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721154018/https://www.loudersound.com/features/hellhammer-the-tortured-black-metal-outcasts-who-created-a-monster | url-status=live }}</ref> they have been widely praised in retrospect and are often regarded as a key influence on [[black metal]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hellhammer-mn0000677842 |title=((( Hellhammer > Overview ))) |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=9 May 2008 |archive-date=11 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611080530/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/hellhammer-mn0000677842 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Fischer (2000), p. 78.</ref> In June 1984, Hellhammer disbanded but two of its members soon formed the influential extreme metal band [[Celtic Frost]].<ref name=cf80>Fischer (2000), p. 80.</ref>

== 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 />

== Criticism ==
Although its former members felt proud of Hellhammer's legacy by the end of the 1980s, that was not always so.<ref name=aprd1990 /> In fact, Tom Warrior feared that his prior commitment to Hellhammer could hinder the future of Celtic Frost. A 1985 ''[[Kerrang!]]'' review summed up his worst fears: "The truly execrable Hellhammer may now have turned into Celtic Frost but still suck on the big one."<ref name=terrorizer108>Gregori (2003), p. 11.</ref>

Other metal publications were also skeptical of Hellhammer's musical endeavor. ''[[Metal Forces]]'', for one, absolutely loathed the group; that started a long-lasting feud between that zine and Warrior, which kept Celtic Frost from playing in England for a couple of years.<ref name=terrorizer108 /> ''Rock Power'' was not fond of Hellhammer either; they considered it "the most terrible, abhorrent, and atrocious thing 'musicians' were ever allowed to record".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.centurymedia.com/index.aspx?page=detailed_artist&id_artist=192 |title='Death Fiends': A Short Biography of Hellhammer |date=December 2007 |author=Doe, Bernard |work=Century Media Records |access-date=10 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119104859/http://www2.centurymedia.com/index.aspx?page=detailed_artist&id_artist=192 |archive-date=19 January 2008 }}</ref> In fact, they were "receiving miserable reviews everywhere", Warrior concluded.<ref name=cf80 />

Regarding the controversial status of his former band, Thomas said:

{{cquote|Way back in 1984 and 85, when Martin Eric Ain and I recorded Celtic Frost's first two albums ''[[Morbid Tales]]'' and ''[[To Mega Therion (album)|To Mega Therion]]'', Hellhammer lasted on us almost like a curse. Even though Hellhammer was the very reason we had thought over our goals and conceived the Frost, HH's left-overs kept being mighty rocks in our way. Many voices saw Frost as the same band with just a name-change. The lack of musical quality in HH made it almost impossible for us to get an unbiased reaction for Frost. To make a long story short, it almost killed all our work and dreams.<ref name=aprd1990 />}}

==Reissues==

At the dawn of the next decade Noise Records released a new version of Hellhammer's debut, retitled ''[[Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D.]]'' This re-issue was augmented by two tracks off the ''[[Death Metal (split album)|Death Metal]]'' compilation, which was "something we always wanted to, even back in '84", claimed Tom Warrior. This re-release also came with a new cover design done by Martin Ain.<ref name=aprd1990>{{cite AV media notes |title=Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D. |title-link=Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D. |others=Hellhammer |year=1990 |chapter=The Macabre Existence of Hellhammer |first=Thomas Gabriel |last=Warrior |page=2 |type=CD booklet |publisher=[[Noise Records|Modern Music Records]] |location=[[Berlin]], [[Germany]]}}</ref>

In November 2007, Tom Gabriel Fischer announced that the original master tapes of Hellhammer's demos (''[[Death Fiend]]'', ''[[Triumph of Death (Hellhammer)|Triumph of Death]]'', and ''[[Satanic Rites]]'') would be released as a 2CD/3LP package, titled ''[[Demon Entrails]]'', in February 2008 with new liner notes on the complete history of Hellhammer, unreleased photos and artwork, and all tracks remastered personally by Tom Gabriel Fischer, Martin Eric Ain and Steve Warrior. The album was released by Prowlin' Death/[[Century Media Records]].

In 2016, both Century Media and Prowling Death Records joint released an unreleased 7" vinyl single the band originally recorded in 1983 titled ''Blood Insanity''. Tom Gabriel Fischer explained that the band contemplated releasing material they recorded at the time of the ''Triumph of Death'' demo sessions which would contain two songs. Unfortunately, the single languished into an unrealized state until the band's split, rendering any plans for future releases redundant. Fischer went on to say that it never left his mind since then and presented the idea of releasing the single to Century Media, in which the record company agreed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/hellhammers-previously-unreleased-blood-insanity-7-vinyl-single-to-see-light-of-day/|title=HELLHAMMER's Previously Unreleased 'Blood Insanity' 7" Vinyl Single To See Light Of Day|date=5 July 2016|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=5 July 2016|archive-date=6 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706164624/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/hellhammers-previously-unreleased-blood-insanity-7-vinyl-single-to-see-light-of-day/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
A four-track 12" [[extended play|EP]], ''[[Apocalyptic Raids]]'', was released in March 1984. At the time, it was regarded as one of the heaviest and most extreme records produced.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} By then, the band had already broken up, but the recording was one of the original black/death metal recordings, and spawned a legion of imitators, playing [[doom metal]], [[thrash metal]], [[black metal]] and [[death metal]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} Both Fischer and Ain later teamed up again when forming [[Celtic Frost]] in summer of 1984.

Hellhammer covers by notable bands include [[Napalm Death]],<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=leaders-not-followers-pt-2-mw0000302182|pure_url=yes}} |title=((( Leaders Not Followers, Pt. 2 > Overview ))) |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |access-date=9 May 2008}}</ref> [[Sepultura]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/revolusongs-mw0000457874 |title=((( Revolusongs > Overview ))) |author=Loftus, Johnny |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=9 May 2008 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603194536/http://www.allmusic.com/album/revolusongs-mw0000457874 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Samael (band)|Samael]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Samael/Medieval_Prophecy/98|title=Samael – Medieval Prophecy|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-date=17 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417040154/http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Samael/Medieval_Prophecy/98|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Incantation (American band)|Incantation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Incantation/Rehearsal_Demo/2908|title=Incantation – Rehearsal demo|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=11 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811092219/http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Incantation/Rehearsal_Demo/2908|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Slaughter (Canadian band)|Slaughter]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Slaughter/Surrender_or_Die/12536|title=Slaughter – Surrender or Die|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518081727/http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Slaughter/Surrender_or_Die/12536|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Behemoth (band)|Behemoth]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Behemoth/The_Return_of_the_Northern_Moon/15611|title=Behemoth – The Return of the Northern Moon|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=5 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505005152/http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Behemoth/The_Return_of_the_Northern_Moon/15611|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Gallhammer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Gallhammer/The_Worship/74840|title=Gallhammer – The Worship|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518081731/http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Gallhammer/The_Worship/74840|url-status=live}}</ref> Fischer's post-Celtic Frost band, [[Apollyon Sun]], also re-worked "Messiah".{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}

Tom Fischer released a book in 2010 titled ''Only Death Is Real: An Illustrated History of Hellhammer and early Celtic Frost 1982–1985'', which documents the early days of said bands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bazillionpoints.com/shop/only-death-is-real-history-of-hellhammer-and-early-celtic-frost-by-tom-gabriel-fisher/|title=ONLY DEATH IS REAL: An Illustrated History of Hellhammer and Early Celtic Frost 1982–1985, by Tom Gabriel Fischer with Martin Eric Ain|date=March 2013|access-date=29 June 2015|archive-date=8 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708125430/http://www.bazillionpoints.com/shop/only-death-is-real-history-of-hellhammer-and-early-celtic-frost-by-tom-gabriel-fisher/|url-status=live}}</ref> The book featured a foreword by [[Darkthrone]] guitarist [[Nocturno Culto]] and an introduction by the author [[Joel McIver]].

== Band members ==

=== Final ===
* Tom G. "Satanic Slaughter" Warrior ([[Thomas Gabriel Fischer]]) – guitar, lead vocals <small>(1982–1984)</small>
* "Slayed Necros" ([[Martin Eric Ain]]) – bass <small>(1983–1984; died 2017)</small>
* Bruce "Denial Fiend" Day (Jörg Neubart) – drums <small>(1982–1984)</small>

=== Previous members ===
* Pete Stratton (Peter Ebneter) – drums <small>(1982)</small>
* Steve "Savage Damage" Warrior (Urs Sprenger) – bass, vocals <small>(1982–1983)</small>
* Stephen "Evoked Damnator" Priestly (Stephen Gasser) – bass <small>(1983)</small>
* Mike "Grim Decapitator" Owens (Michael Baum) – bass <small>(1983)</small>
* Vince "Dei Infernal" Caretti (Vincent Garetti) – guitar <small>(1984)</small>

=== Timeline ===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:22
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:10 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:05/01/1982 till:05/31/1984
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:1983
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1983

Colors =
 id:Vocals            value:red        legend:Vocals
 id:BackingVocals     value:pink       legend:Backing_vocals
 id:Guitar            value:green      legend:Guitars
 id:Bass              value:blue       legend:Bass
 id:Drums             value:orange     legend:Drums
 id:Ep                value:black      legend:EP
 id:other             value:gray(0.40) legend:Demo
 id:bars              value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =
 at:06/15/1983 color:other layer:back
 at:07/20/1983 color:other layer:back
 at:12/24/1983 color:other layer:back
 at:03/08/1984 color:black layer:back

BarData =
 bar:Satanic text:"Satanic Slaughter"
 bar:Dei     text:"Dei Infernali"
 bar:Savage  text:"Savage Damage"
 bar:Evoked  text:"Evoked Damnator"
 bar:Grim    text:"Grim Decapitator"
 bar:Slayed  text:"Slayed Necros"
 bar:Pete    text:"Pete Stratton"
 bar:Denial  text:"Denial Fiend"

PlotData=
  width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
  bar:Satanic from:05/01/1982 till:05/31/1984 color:vocals
  bar:Satanic from:05/01/1982 till:05/31/1984 color:guitar width:3
  bar:Dei     from:04/10/1984 till:05/31/1984 color:guitar
  bar:Savage  from:05/01/1982 till:07/01/1983 color:bass
  bar:Savage  from:05/01/1982 till:07/01/1983 color:BackingVocals width:3
  bar:Evoked  from:07/01/1983 till:09/01/1983 color:bass
  bar:Grim    from:09/01/1983 till:12/01/1983 color:bass
  bar:Slayed  from:12/01/1983 till:05/31/1984 color:bass
  bar:Pete    from:05/01/1982 till:09/30/1982 color:Drums
  bar:Denial  from:10/01/1982 till:05/31/1984 color:Drums
}}

== Discography ==

=== Demos ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Title
|-
|1983
|''[[Death Fiend]]''
|-
|1983
|''[[Triumph of Death (Hellhammer)|Triumph of Death]]''
|-
|1983
|''[[Satanic Rites]]''
|}

=== Studio releases ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Title
!Notes
|-
|1984
|''[[Apocalyptic Raids]]''
|EP
|-
|1984
|''[[Death Metal (split album)|Death Metal]]''
|Split
|-
|2016
|''Blood Insanity''
|Single
|-
|}

=== Compilation albums ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Title
|-
|2008
|''[[Demon Entrails]]''
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
* Bennett, J. (2009). "Procreation of the Wicked". In: Mudrian, A. (ed.), ''Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces'' (pp.&nbsp;31–47). Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press.
* Fischer, T. G. (2000). ''Are You Morbid? Into the Pandemonium of Celtic Frost''. London: Sanctuary Publishing Limited.
* Gregori, D. (2003). "Thrash Metal or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb". ''Terrorizer'' '''108''': 10–14.
* Hellhammer (1990). ''Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D.'' [CD]. New York, NY: Futurist/Noise International.

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101124154841/http://hellhammer.org/ Official website] (archived)
* {{allMusic}}
* {{Discogs artist|273828}}

{{Hellhammer}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Swiss heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Swiss black metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Swiss death metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Swiss thrash metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1982]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1984]]
[[Category:Century Media Records artists]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Switzerland]]
[[Category:1984 disestablishments in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Noise Records artists]]
[[Category:English-language musical groups from Switzerland]]