Satanic Rites is the third and final demo tape by Swiss extreme metal band Hellhammer, recorded and distributed during December 1983. Along with Hellhammer's other releases, the demo had a major influence on the emerging death metal and black metal genres.[1][2]

Satanic Rites
Demo album by
ReleasedDecember 1983
Recorded1983
StudioSound Concept Studio, Switzerland
Genre
Length46:11
ProducerHellhammer
Hellhammer chronology
Triumph of Death
(1983)
Satanic Rites
(1983)
Apocalyptic Raids
(1984)

Satanic Rites later appeared on the compilation album Demon Entrails along with the two other demos, Death Fiend and Triumph of Death.

Background

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Martin Eric Ain was fifteen at the time of recording Satanic Rites.[3] The line-up of Hellhammer was constantly changing around this time.[3]

In the book Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal, the demo was described as "improved but still primitive".[4]

Three members of Norwegian black metal band Mayhem took their names from song titles from this release: founder and guitarist Euronymous, and the first two vocalists Messiah and Maniac.

Track listing

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  1. "Intro" – 1:00
  2. "Messiah" – 4:22
  3. "The Third of the Storms (Evoked Damnation)" – 3:04
  4. "Buried and Forgotten" – 6:03
  5. "Maniac" – 3:48
  6. "Eurynomos" – 3:11
  7. "Triumph of Death" – 7:00
  8. "Revelations of Doom" – 3:05
  9. "Reaper" – 2:30
  10. "Satanic Rites" – 7:19
  11. "Crucifixion" – 2:47
  12. "Outro" – 2:02

Credits

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  • Tom Gabriel Fischer – vocals, guitar, bass guitar (uncredited)
  • Martin Eric Ain – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Bruce Day (Jörg Neubart) – drums
  • Metin Demiral – vocal introduction on "Buried and Forgotten"

References

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  1. ^ "Why Hellhammer's Satanic Rites is possibly the most important metal record ever made".
  2. ^ "Celtic Frost's Tom Gabriel Fischer Pens Obit for Martin Eric Ain". Loudwire. 27 October 2017.
  3. ^ a b Mudrian, Albert, ed. (2009). Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces. Da Capo Press. p. 32. ISBN 9780306818066. Retrieved 22 September 2012. satanic rites.
  4. ^ Wagner, Jeff; Wilson, Steven (1 December 2010). Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal. Bazilion Points Books. p. 117. ISBN 9780979616334. Retrieved 22 September 2012.