Hell (British band)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Derbyshire, England |
| Defunct | 1987 (initially) |
| Fate | Reformed in 2008 |
| Headquarters | Derbyshire , England |
| Products | Heavy metal music, albums, singles, DVDs |
Hell is a heavy metal group originating from Derbyshire, England, established in 1982 by former members of Race Against Time and Paralex. The band ceased activities in 1987 following unfortunate circumstances. They are recognized as early adopters of proto-corpse paint aesthetics on stage, incorporating dramatic features such as a pulpit decorated with gargoyles and a pyrotechnic Bible explosion, which caused a stir in 1983.
Although they received minimal exposure from record labels and mainstream media during the 1980s, Hell developed a devoted underground following through tape trading. The band reassembled in 2008 and secured a contract with Nuclear Blast. Their first full-length release, Human Remains, launched in May 2011, debuted at No. 46 on the German album charts.
Formative period (1982–1987)
Hell was created in Derbyshire in 1982.
They signed with the Belgian label Mausoleum Records, which unfortunately declared bankruptcy just two weeks before recording their debut album. Guitarist Kev Bower departed and was temporarily replaced by Sean Kelley. The group soon disbanded, culminating in vocalist Dave Halliday’s suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.
Halliday served as a mentor to guitarist Andy Sneap—later founder of the heavy metal band Sabbat—who acknowledges Hell as a major influence. Sneap went on to become a prolific producer with credits on over 100 albums, including winning a Swedish Grammy, and currently performs as touring guitarist for Judas Priest.
Reunion phase (2008–2011)
The original lineup reunited in 2008 to produce Human Remains. Sabbat’s Martin Walkyier and Andy Sneap contributed vocals and guitar respectively, with Sneap also handling production duties. However, Walkyier’s vocal approach did not fit the material, resulting in Kev Bower’s brother, David Beckford (stage name), taking over lead vocals and re-recording all parts. Sneap became an official member of the band.
2011
This renewed formation made their live debut at Nottingham’s MFN club on 20 May 2011, presenting songs from Human Remains alongside Race Against Time’s "Bedtime" as a tribute to David Halliday. They embarked on tours across European and UK festivals such as Metalfest Open Airs (Switzerland, Germany, Austria), Rockstad Falun (Sweden), Download Festival (UK), Tuska Open Air Metal Festival (Finland), Summer Breeze Open Air (Germany), and Bloodstock Open Air (UK), where they earned the award for "2011 Best Mainstage Performance." Additional appearances included the Sweden Rock Cruise. The album Human Remains received Sweden Rock Magazine's "2011 Album of the Year," ranked sixth in Metal Hammer's "Best of 2011," along with several webzine honors and a nomination from Bloodstock Open Air's forum.
2012
Hell commenced 2012 performing at Hammerfest in Wales, followed by a prominent support role for Accept during their "Stalingrad" European tour starting on 6 April in Paris. They were shortlisted for a Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards nomination under the "Metal As F*ck" category. Other appearances included Germany’s Rock Hard Festival, recorded for WDR TV’s Rockpalast, headlining Muskelrock (Sweden) and Metal Magic (Denmark), plus performing on the Sweden Stage at the Sweden Rock Festival. Featured in the July 2012 edition of UK Metal Hammer, Hell expanded their reach into Eastern Europe with shows at the Masters of Rock (Czech Republic) and Metalcamp (Slovenia), alongside performances at Alcatraz (Belgium), Zwarte Cross (Netherlands), and Into The Grave (Netherlands). They wrapped up the year headlining concerts in Dublin, Molins de Rei near Barcelona, and Rommelrock in Belgium, completing a tour that spanned 16 countries promoting Human Remains. At year-end, Hell entered the studio to begin work on their second album.
2013
By early 2013, Kev Bower and Andy Sneap had demoed most tracks intended for their sophomore album, with full recording scheduled for spring. Lacking early demos for bonus content, they filmed a live DVD at their first 2013 concert held at Derby Assembly Rooms (UK) on 23 February, featuring the Church of Hell stage design and pyrotechnic effects. Fans traveled from thirteen countries to attend this sold-out event.
The band headlined Belgium’s R-Mine Metalfest and performed at Turock Open Air (Germany), Hammer Open Air (Finland), Bang Your Head Open Air (Germany), returning to Bloodstock Open Air by popular demand where they again won "Best Mainstage Performance." Due to technical difficulties with the Derby DVD footage, additional material from Bloodstock was incorporated.
In August, they revealed their second album titled Curse and Chapter. To promote its release, Hell supported Amon Amarth and Carcass on a twenty-five-date European tour covering thirteen countries beginning in Oberhausen, Germany on 7 November.
2014
The initial months of 2014 were largely inactive due to Andy Sneap’s production commitments in the US with Accept and Exodus. Their major performance that year was at Hyde Park, London alongside Black Sabbath, preceded by a warm-up gig in Nottingham. They also appeared at Leyendas Del Rock in Alicante (Spain) and W.E.T.Stage during Wacken Open Air.
Andy Sneap and Kev Bower undertook a 260 km charity bike ride from London to Download Festival, raising funds for NSPCC, Teenage Cancer Trust, and Nordoff Robbins. Subsequently, Hell toured Europe supporting Kreator and Arch Enemy, followed by a UK tour backing Saxon during November-December; however, five final shows were postponed until February 2015 due to Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler’s hospitalization.
2015
After completing rescheduled dates supporting Saxon, Hell made a special mainstage appearance at Hammerfest 2015. Kev Bower managed touring responsibilities while attending to his hospitalized father in Spain. Following his father’s recovery, the band resumed European headline performances across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany—including Metalheadz Open Air featuring full stage production—and returned to Sweden Rock Festival along with mainstage duties at Rockharz Open Air (Germany).
On 5 August 2015, Hell announced plans to begin work on their third studio album subsequent to their penultimate show at Finland’s Jalometalli festival. The year concluded with an invited guest slot supporting Accept at London Forum on 7 December.
2016
The first quarter of 2016 was devoted almost exclusively to composing and rehearsing new material for their forthcoming album. This break from live shows was partially caused by signing with a booking agent who failed three times to secure gigs. The situation was resolved in March when Hell signed with Loudnoise Productions, a Dutch booking agency.
Current status
David Bower serves as Hell’s lead vocalist while working as a substitute teacher in Derbyshire; he has also provided voiceover work for companies such as Sainsbury’s. Andy Sneap continues his career as a music producer—responsible for Judas Priest’s last two records—and performs live as substitute guitarist for Glenn Tipton.
Musical style
Although frequently categorized within the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM), Hell distances themselves from this label since NWOBHM was already waning when they formed. Their sound is progressive, merging elements of thrash, power metal, symphonic metal, gothic metal, speed metal, doom metal, and black metal influences. Their lyrics address topics including occultism, critiques of organized religion, alien abduction narratives, political incarceration themes, mental health issues, and historical events such as the Black Death. Musically driven by guitars but augmented with keyboards and digital samples for additional texture, their compositions feature intricate changes in tempo, time signatures, keys alongside atmospheric theatrical interludes.
Band members
Current lineup
- Kev Bower – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (1982–1987; 2008–present)
- Tony Speakman – bass guitar (1982–1987; 2008–present)
- Tim Bowler – drums (1982–1987; 2008–present)
- Andy Sneap – guitars (2008–present)
- David Bower – lead vocals (2010–present)
Former members
- Dave G. Halliday – lead vocals & guitars (1982–1987; deceased 1987)
- Sean Kelley – guitar (1987)
- Martin Walkyier – lead vocals (2008–2010)
Timeline
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Discography
Studio albums
- Human Remains (2011; released via Nuclear Blast)
- Curse and Chapter (2013; Nuclear Blast)
Singles & EPs
- "Save Us from Those Who Would Save Us" (1983; self-released on Deadly Weapon label; includes track "Deathsquad")
- "Save Us" (2011; Nuclear Blast; includes "On Earth as It Is in Hell")
- "The Age of Nefarious" (2013; Nuclear Blast)
- "End ov Days" (2014; Nuclear Blast; promotional release for tour)
DVDs
- The Greatest Show on Earth - As It Is in Hell (2013; bonus disc accompanying Curse And Chapter)
Videos
- "Deathsquad" (1983) – shot on location in Derbyshire and at Wingfield Manor
- "On Earth as It Is in Hell" (2011) – recorded at Wingfield Manor