Introduction to Hellhammer
Hellhammer was a Swiss extreme metal band active between 1982 and 1984. Though short-lived, their raw and aggressive sound became the foundation for black metal and death metal. Hellhammer’s music was raw, chaotic, primitive, and entirely unique for its time. Despite not being taken seriously intitally, their music went on to influence countless bands in the years to come.
The Formation of Hellhammer
In 1982, Tom Gabriel Fischer (also known as Tom G. Warrior) and Steve Warrior formed Hellhammer in Switzerland. Initially, they experimented with a sound that was heavily inspired by Venom, Motörhead, and Discharge. As the band evolved, they crafted a style that was darker and heavier than anything that had come before.
Early Recordings and Demos
Hellhammer’s first demo, Death Fiend (1983), received little attention initially, but their follow-up demos, Satanic Rites and Triumph of Death, helped them gain recognition in the underground metal scene. Their aggressive and unpolished approach was seen as revolutionary by some and ridiculed by others.
Apocalyptic Raids and the End of Hellhammer
In 1984, Hellhammer released their only official record, Apocalyptic Raids, through Noise Records. The EP showcased the band’s signature sound, featuring raw production, heavy riffs, and dark themes. Despite their growing cult following, Tom G. Warrior and bassist Martin Ain decided to disband Hellhammer the same year, believing they had reached the limits of what the band could achieve.
The Birth of Celtic Frost
Shortly after disbanding Hellhammer, Tom G. Warrior and Martin Ain formed Celtic Frost, a band that took the extreme elements of Hellhammer and refined them into a more sophisticated and ambitious sound. Celtic Frost became one of the most influential bands in extreme metal, proving that Hellhammer’s legacy was far from over.
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For a more complete review of Hellhammers’s album be sure to read our review here |
Legacy and Influence
Hellhammer is now regarded as one of the most influential bands in extreme metal. Their raw sound and primitive production techniques inspired early black metal bands such as Bathory and Mayhem. Today, their music continues to be celebrated, and the Apocalyptic Raids EP remains a classic of underground metal.