Satanic Rites

Satanic Rites
Demo album by Hellhammer
Released	24 December 1983
Recorded	1983 at Sound Concept Studio, Switzerland
Genre	Black metal, death metal
Length	46:11
Producer	Hellhammer
Hellhammer chronology
Triumph of Death (1983) Satanic Rites (1983) Apocalyptic Raids (1984)

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

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

Background

Martin Eric Ain was fifteen at the time of recording Satanic Rites.^[1] The line-up of Hellhammer was constantly changing around this time.^[1]

In the book Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal, the demo was described as "improved but still primitive".^[2]

Track listing

1. "Intro" – 1:00
2. "Messiah" – 4:22
3. "The Third of the Storms" – 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

• 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"

Although credited, Martin Ain didn't perform in this demo.

References

1. Mudrian, Albert, ed. (2009). Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces. Da Capo Press. p. 32. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
2. Wagner, Jeff; Wilson, Steven (1 December 2010). Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal. Bazilion Points Books. p. 117. Retrieved 22 September 2012.