Apocalyptic Raids

Apocalyptic Raids
EP by
Hellhammer
ReleasedMarch 1984
1990 (1990 re-release)
Recorded2–7 March 1984
StudioCaet Studio, Berlin[1]
Genre
Length19:41
27:03 (1990 re-release)
LabelNoise
ProducerTom Warrior, Martin Ain, Karl U. Walterbach
Hellhammer chronology
Satanic Rites
(1983) 		Apocalyptic Raids
(1984) 		Demon Entrails
(2008)

Apocalyptic Raids is an EP by 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]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal1/10[6]

Artwork

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]

Track listings

Original 1984 release
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Third of the Storms (Evoked Damnation)"Tom G. Warrior2:55
2."Massacra"Warrior2:49
3."Triumph of Death"Warrior9:30
4."Horus/Aggressor"Warrior, Martin Eric Ain4:27
1990 re-release bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."Revelations of Doom"Warrior, Ain2:49
6."Messiah"Warrior, Ain4:33

Tracks 5 and 6 were originally part of the now out-of-print Death Metal (1984) compilation.

Credits

Original 1984 release

Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D.

  • Tom G. Warrior – vocals, guitar, backing vocals
  • Martin E. Ain – bass, cover design
  • Bruce Day – drums
  • Horst Müller – engineer, mixing
  • Julia Schechner – layout
  • José Posada – illustrations
  • Karl U. Walterbach – executive producer

Charts

Chart performance for Apocalyptic Raids
Chart (2020) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[8] 39
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[9] 28

References

  1. ^ "Hellhammer - Apocalyptic Raids Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Napalm Death - Leaders Not Followers, Pt. 2 review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  3. ^ Loftus, Johnny. "Sepultura - Revolusongs review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  4. ^ Fischer, Thomas Gabriel (2000). Are You Morbid?: Into the Pandemonium of Celtic Frost. London, UK: Sanctuary. p. 80. ISBN 978-1860743108.
  5. ^ Warrior, Thomas Gabriel (1990). "The Macabre Existence of Hellhammer". Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D. (CD booklet). Hellhammer. Berlin, Germany: Noise Records. p. 2. N 0008-3.
  6. ^ Popoff, Martin (1 November 2005). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 156. ISBN 978-1894959315.
  7. ^ Rodriguez de Sá, José Felipe; Ganem Fernandes, Ermelinda (2015). "Simbolismo místico e anticristão em Apocalyptic Raids do Hellhammer". Diversidade Religiosa (in Portuguese). 1 (2): 4. ISSN 2317-0476. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Hellhammer – Apocalyptic Raids" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Hellhammer – Apocalyptic Raids". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 June 2020.