Satan (band)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Headquarters | Newcastle upon Tyne , England |
| Products | Heavy metal music |
| Website | www |
Satan is a heavy metal group originating from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, established in 1979 and identified as a key contributor to the new wave of British heavy metal era. They are credited with developing an early form of proto-thrash metal and speed metal that was notably advanced for the early 1980s.
History
The band Satan came together in England in 1979 and experienced multiple personnel and name changes throughout their career. For a period, they performed under the name Blind Fury, during which they released a single album titled Out of Reach (1985), before returning to the Satan moniker. In 1988, they changed their name to Pariah and produced two albums prior to disbanding in the early 1990s. Pariah later issued another album in 1998. The lineup has included members who also played in prominent metal bands such as Blitzkrieg, Atomkraft, Avenger, Persian Risk, Raven, Cronos, and Battleaxe. Notably, in 1990, guitarist Steve Ramsey and bassist Graeme English co-founded the folk metal band Skyclad alongside vocalist Martin Walkyier.
Following a singular appearance at Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival in 2004, Satan officially reunited in 2011. Since their reunion, they have performed at various European festivals and expanded their reach into North and South American markets after releasing their 2013 album Life Sentence through Listenable Records.
On 2 October 2015, the band unveiled their fourth studio album, Atom by Atom, which was initially available for streaming on Invisible Oranges. In 2018, Satan secured a multi-album contract with Metal Blade Records. Their fifth studio release and first under Metal Blade, Cruel Magic, came out on 7 September 2018; its lead single, "The Doomsday Clock," premiered on 6 July. Their most recent record, Earth Infernal, was launched on 1 April 2022.
Musical style
According to Metal Injection, Satan stands out as "one of the fastest and most thrash-influenced bands within the NWOBHM movement." Their debut album from 1983, Court in the Act, showcases "complex guitar solos, high-energy drumming, and vocals so alluring they could captivate even a black cat," all underscored by a strong melodic foundation. Their sound has been likened to early speed metal originating from the Bay Area, preceding that scene’s rise to prominence. Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic highlighted the album’s fusion of thrash components on tracks like 'Trial By Fire' and 'Break Free,' combined with more accessible mid-tempo metal featuring catchy melodies and choruses on songs such as 'Broken Treaties' and 'Blades of Steel.'
Members
Current
- Steve Ramsey – guitar, backing vocals (1979–present)
- Russ Tippins – guitar, backing vocals (1979–present)
- Graeme English – bass guitar (1980–present)
- Sean Taylor – drums (1983–present)
- Brian Ross – lead vocals (1983, 2011–present)
Former
- Andy Reed – drums (1979–1981)
- Trevor Robinson – lead vocals (1979–1982)
- Ian McCormack – drums (1981–1983)
- Ian Swift – lead vocals (1982–1983)
- Lou Taylor – lead vocals (1984–1985)
- Michael Jackson – lead vocals (1985–1988)
Timeline
Studio Albums
Under the name Satan
- Court in the Act (1983)
- Suspended Sentence (1987)
- Life Sentence (2013)
- Atom by Atom (2015)
- Cruel Magic (2018)
- Earth Infernal (2022)
- Songs in Crimson (2024)
Under the name Pariah
- The Kindred (1988)
- Blaze of Obscurity (1989)
- Unity (1998)
Under the name Blind Fury
- Out of Reach (1985)
Singles and EPs
- Kiss of Death (1982)
- Into the Future (1986)
- The Doomsday Clock (2018)
- Twelve Infernal Lords (2020)
Demos
- The First Demo (1981)
- Into the Fire (1982)
- Dirt Demo '86 (1986)
Compilations and Live Albums
- Blitzkrieg in Holland (2000)
- Live in the Act (2004)
- Into the Fire / Kiss of Death (2011)
- The Early Demos (2011)
- Trail of Fire – Live in North America (2014)
- Early Rituals (2020)