Apocalyptic Raids | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | March 1984 1990 (1990 re-release) | |||
Recorded | 2–7 March 1984 | |||
Studio | Caet Studio, Berlin [1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 19:41 27:03 (1990 re-release) | |||
Label | Noise | |||
Producer | Tom Warrior, Martin Ain, Karl U. Walterbach | |||
Hellhammer chronology | ||||
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Apocalyptic Raids is an EP by the Swiss extreme metal band Hellhammer. It was recorded and released in March 1984, and was the band's only commercial release.
The record was a major influence on the then-emerging death metal and black metal genres. It has served as an inspiration to such varied and respected bands as Napalm Death and Sepultura, both of whom recorded cover versions of "Messiah". [2] [3]
Hellhammer split up only three months after recording this EP, and later regrouped as Celtic Frost. [4] The EP would be reissued six years later as Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D., boasting new artwork and two bonus tracks. [5]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 1/10 [6] |
The cover art of Apocalyptic Raids is influenced by German Expressionism's stark aesthetic, combining monochromaticity with the band's blood-red, blackletter-styled logo. [7]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "The Third of the Storms (Evoked Damnation)" | Tom G. Warrior | 2:55 |
2. | "Massacra" | Warrior | 2:49 |
3. | "Triumph of Death" | Warrior | 9:30 |
4. | "Horus/Aggressor" | Warrior, Martin Eric Ain | 4:27 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
5. | "Revelations of Doom" | Warrior, Ain | 2:49 |
6. | "Messiah" | Warrior, Ain | 4:33 |
Tracks 5 and 6 were originally part of the now out-of-print Death Metal (1984) compilation.
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [8] | 39 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [9] | 28 |
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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, they have been widely praised in retrospect and are often regarded as a key influence on black metal. In June 1984, Hellhammer disbanded but two of its members soon formed the influential extreme metal band Celtic Frost.
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