Holocaust (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 in Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Founder | John Mortimer, Ed Dudley, Gary Lettice, Robin Begg, Nick Brockie |
| Headquarters | Edinburgh , Scotland |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | John Mortimer (guitar, vocals), Scott Wallace (drums), Mark McGrath (bass) |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Holocaust is a heavy metal group originating from Scotland, established in 1977 and operating out of Edinburgh. The present members consist of John Mortimer (guitar, vocals), Scott Wallace (drums), and Mark McGrath (bass). Initially, the band was formed by Mortimer and Ed Dudley on guitars, Gary Lettice handling vocals, Robin Begg on bass, and Nick Brockie playing drums. In 1983, Dudley departed to create the band Hologram, which released an album under that moniker. Holocaust emerged as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement during the late 1970s and early 1980s, combining elements of classic metal with the speed and attitude characteristic of punk rock. The band's name alludes to a nuclear holocaust, symbolizing Mortimer’s vision for their music to have an explosive impact akin to a nuclear blast.
Under Mortimer’s leadership, Holocaust incorporated influences from progressive metal, thrash metal, and post-punk, crafting intricate compositions such as the "Sound of Souls" EP and the conceptual album Covenant. Since 2003, the consistent three-member formation has produced releases including the EP "Expander," as well as the albums Predator (2015) and Elder Gods (2019).
Their song "The Small Hours" gained recognition when it was covered by Metallica on their 1987 EP The $5.98 E.P. - Garage Days Re-Revisited and subsequently featured on the 1998 compilation Garage Inc.. Additionally, in 1996, Holocaust contributed a rendition of Metallica's "Master of Puppets" for the tribute album Metal Militia: A Tribute To Metallica II.
Studio albums
- The Nightcomers (1981)
- Steal the Stars (1983) released as 'Hologram'
- No Man's Land (1984)
- The Sound of Souls (1989)
- Hypnosis of Birds (1992)
- Spirits Fly (1996)
- Covenant (1997)
- The Courage to Be (2000)
- Primal (2003)
- Predator (2015)
- Elder Gods (2019)
- Luna (forthcoming)
Live recordings
- Live (Hot Curry & Wine) (1983)
EPs and singles
- "Heavy Metal Mania" (1980; available on 7-inch & 12-inch formats)
- "Smokin' Valves" (1980; 7-inch & 12-inch versions)
- Live from the Raw Loud 'n' Live Tour (1981; 7-inch)
- Comin' Through (1982; 12-inch)
- Heavy Metal Mania '93 (1993; CD format)
- Expander (2013; CD release)
Compilation albums
- NWOBHM '79 Revisited (1990)
- Metal Militia: A Tribute To Metallica II (1996)
- Smokin' Valves: The Anthology (2003)
Video releases
- Live from the Raw Loud 'n' Live Tour (1981; VHS release; reissued on DVD in 2004)
Cover versions
- "The Small Hours" was interpreted by Metallica.
- Gamma Ray performed "Heavy Metal Mania" on their live album from 1996, Alive '95, and included a studio version on their 1995 record Land of the Free. They also recorded "Death or Glory" for their 2013 EP titled Master of Confusion.
- Six Feet Under covered "Death or Glory," originally from The Nightcomers, on their 1997 album Warpath.