Heller (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Serbia |
| Products | Thrash metal music, albums, demos |
Heller is a thrash metal band originating from Belgrade, Serbia, and formerly part of Yugoslavia. They are acknowledged as among the earliest thrash metal groups in the former Yugoslav region and are regarded as trailblazers of extreme metal within that territory. Their debut, the self-titled album, holds the distinction of being the first extreme metal record released in the former Yugoslavia and ranks among the pioneering albums in Southeastern Europe.
1984–1993
Established in 1985 by Attila Milojković (guitar, vocals) and Kosta Bogdanović "Kole" (lead guitar), alongside Zoran Miladinović "Deda" on bass and Saša Đaković "Müller" on drums, Heller quickly made a name for themselves through live appearances at Belgrade's Hit 202 and Heavy Metal Festival, performing alongside notable regional bands. Early live demo recordings were aired on national Radio 202.
Following brief military service by Miladinović and Milojković, the lineup changed with Dejan Čvorović "Čvora" taking over bass duties. Bogdanović left to join Amnesia and later establish Rapidforce; his position was initially filled by Darko Smukov "Dare" and subsequently by guitarist Zoran Dankov "Dane". The band produced its first English-language demo featuring four live tracks. In 1988, Senad Prašović "Žmegi" became the vocalist, enabling Milojković to concentrate exclusively on guitar.
In April 1989, Heller released their sole album under Odžaci's Ghost House Records label. The album Heller contains eleven tracks, with production and arrangements handled by Milojković. Songwriting was credited to Milojković and Čvorović. All lyrics were in Serbian except for "Dead or Alive." The initial pressing was limited to 500 copies, making it a sought-after collector’s item and a significant release in Yugoslav thrash metal history. That same year, Heller supported German thrash band Destruction during concerts in Zagreb and Ljubljana.
Before disbanding in 1993, Heller issued a demo tape with seven tracks through Take It Or Leave It Records.
Post-breakup
In 2003, Rock Express Records re-released the band's self-titled album on CD format, including four bonus tracks from their earliest demo: "Destiny," "Trash," "H.W.I.B.," and "RR."
Heller reunited in 2013 featuring original members Attila Milojković and Zoran Dankov on guitars, Senad Prašović on vocals, Dejan Čvorović on bass, along with new drummer Hogar. Their return performance occurred at the Vračar Rocks festival on 17 January 2014 at Belgrade’s Božidarac club. Later that year, they also appeared at the EXIT festival.
Studio albums
- Heller (1989)
Official demo recordings
- Demo Tape (1993)