  
Hell is a band with a long history - or to be more accurate a band with two short histories. The band was formed in the early 80's and actually signed to Mausoleum records shortly before it collapsed. The band split and was then reformed in 2008. Since reforming they have signed with Nuclear Blast records and released this, their long awaited debut album. The album has been mixed and produced by one of the top producers in metal these days - Andy Sneap who has mixed or produced albums for a whole hose of top bands including Machine head, Trivium, Devildriver, Exodus, Kreator, Opeth, Arch Enemy and Megadeth. Andy Sneap's involvement in making the Hell album isnt a surprise though - he is the band's lead guitarist in the reborn band having previously been a big fan of Hell before he formed Sabbat.
My first introduction to the band was when I saw them at the Bloodstock festival this year and I was really impressed by them, so checking out the album was a top priority for me.
How to classify this band? That's a tough one - Hell aren't easy to categorise. They are sometimes described as NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal), but while they certainly have much in common with those bands Hell came along after the peak of the NWOBHM movement, and have a bit more to their sound.
In a live setting the band are very theatrical and that feeling also comes across in the album. This is probably largely down to singer David Bower (also known as TV actor David Beckford), who uses his acting skills on stage to add an extra level to the band's shows. His vocals are varied, from ROb Halford style screams to King Diamond style vocals, and his range really helps make this album what it is.
The music is faultless - Andy Sneap hasnt lost any of his guitar playing skills that he demonstrated in Sabbat, and the rest of the band are equally good on this album.
Hell are a rare band - one that is equally likely to appeal to fans of hard rock and heavy metal fans of multiple genres
The album is available in two forms - the standard CD, or the Limited Edition double CD. The double CD is well worth going for - disc 2 is the orignal demos from the bands first incarnation back in the early 80's so you get to hear how the album could have sounded if it had been released back then. The limited edition also comes with a signed postcard. Get yourself over to the bands website and order that limited edition now while it's still available.
Hell's website: http://www.hell-metal.com/
Hell's merchandise including albums: http://hellmerchandising.bigcartel.com/
Hell are:
Andy Sneap - Guitar
David Bower - Lead vocals
Tony Speakman - Bass
Tim Bowler - Drums
Kev Bower - Guitar, Keyboard, vocals
Track Listing (Human remains):
1. Overture (themes from Deathsquad)
2. On earth as it is in hell
3. Plague and fyre
4. The oppressors
5. Blasphemy and the master
6. Let battle commence
7. The devils deadly weapon
8. The quest
9. Macbeth
10. Save us from those who would save us
11. No Martyrs cage
Track Listing (1982-1986 demos):
1. Deathsquad
2. On earth as it is in hell
3. Plague and fyre
4. The oppressors
5. Blasphemy and the master
6. Let battle commence
7. The devils deadly weapon
8. The quest
9. Macbeth
10. Save us from those who would save us
11. No Martyrs cage |
