Genre(s):
Speed/Thrash/Black Metal
Lyrical Theme(s):
Death, Satan, Destruction, Armageddon
Origin:
Switzerland (Nurensdorf, Zurich)
Formed In:
1982
Status:
Split-up
Last known line-up:
Tom "Satanic Slaughter" Warrior (Thomas Gabriel Fischer) - Vocals, Guitars (1982-1984) (Celtic Frost, Apollyon Sun, Triptykon, Grave Hill, Hammerhead)
Martin "Slayed Necros" Ain (Martin Erich Stricker) - Bass (1983-1984) (Celtic Frost, Shizo)
Bruce "Denial Fiend/Bloodhunter" Day (Jörg Neubart) - Drums (1982-1984) (Moorhead)
Former/Past Member(s):
Vocals, Bass:
Steve "Savage Damage" Warrior (Urs Sprenger aka Steve Patton) (1982-1983)
Bass:
Mike "Grim Decapitator" Owens (Michael Baum) (1983) (Sierra, Tribe of Gypsies, Violence)
Drums:
Pete Stratton (Peter Ebneter) (1982)
Steve "Evoked Damnator" Priestly (Stephen Gasser) (also Bass) ( (1983) (Celtic Frost, Shizo, Treponen Pal (session))
Guitars:
Vince "Dei Infernal" Garetti (1984)
Additional notes:
Hellhammer are widely credited as pioneers of extreme metal (Black Metal in particular) along with Venom, Bathory and a few others. Tom G Warrior and Martin Ain formed Celtic Frost the day after Hellhammer disbanded.
Hellhammer had two more short-term bassists that time has since forgotten in 1983 (Mike Owens has previously been listed as a drummer, Hellhammer's new website credits him as a bassist). Despite the "Warrior brothers" thing, Steve and Tom are unrelated. Steve was originally a roadie for Tom's previous band, Grave Hill.
The last thing planned with Hellhammer was a full-length called To Mega Therion in mid-1984 with new tracks called "Beyond the Beyond," "Ride on the Wings of Sabbath," "Defeat of the Serpent," "Demon Entrails," and "Phallical Tantrum" among others. The band split up before the songwriting process was finished, and none of these tracks were ever formally recorded. However, Tom Warrior and Martin Eric Ain used the title To Mega Therion for the first full-length Celtic Frost album.
Hellhammer had two more short-term bassists that time has since forgotten in 1983 (Mike Owens has previously been listed as a drummer, Hellhammer's new website credits him as a bassist). Despite the "Warrior brothers" thing, Steve and Tom are unrelated. Steve was originally a roadie for Tom's previous band, Grave Hill.
The last thing planned with Hellhammer was a full-length called To Mega Therion in mid-1984 with new tracks called "Beyond the Beyond," "Ride on the Wings of Sabbath," "Defeat of the Serpent," "Demon Entrails," and "Phallical Tantrum" among others. The band split up before the songwriting process was finished, and none of these tracks were ever formally recorded. However, Tom Warrior and Martin Eric Ain used the title To Mega Therion for the first full-length Celtic Frost album.
Discography:
Hellhammer - Death Fiend [demo] - 1983
Hellhammer - Triumph Of Death [demo] - 1983
Hellhammer - Satanic Rites [demo] - 1983
Hellhammer & Running Wild & Dark Avenger & Helloween - Death Metal [split] - 1984
Hellhammer - Apocalyptic Raids [ep] - 1984
Hellhammer - Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D. [best of/compilation] - 1990
Hellhammer - Demon Entrails [best of/compilation] - 2008
*****
Official site:
http://www.myspace.com/hellhammerband
