Satanic Rites Explained

Satanic Rites
Type:	demo
Artist:	Hellhammer
Cover:	Satanic Rites cover.jpg
Border:	yes
Released:	December 1983
Recorded:	1983
Studio:	Sound Concept Studio, Switzerland
Length:	46:11
Producer:	Hellhammer
Prev Title:	Triumph of Death
Prev Year:	1983
Next Title:	Apocalyptic Raids
Next Year:	1984

Satanic Rites is the third and final demo tape by Swiss extreme metal band Hellhammer. It was recorded and distributed during December 1983. Along with Hellhammer's other releases, it had a major influence on the emerging death metal and black metal genres.^{[1] [2]}

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.^[3] The line-up of Hellhammer was constantly changing around this time.^[3]

In the book Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal, the demo was described as "improved but still primitive".^[4]

Three members of Norwegian black metal band Mayhem took their names from song titles from this release: founder and guitarist Euronymous, and the first two vocalists Messiah and Maniac.

Track listing

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Why Hellhammer's Satanic Rites is possibly the most important metal record ever made.
2. Web site: Celtic Frost's Tom Gabriel Fischer Pens Obit for Martin Eric Ain. Loudwire. 27 October 2017 .
3. Book: Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces . 32 . Mudrian . Albert . 2009 . . 9780306818066 . registration . satanic rites. . 22 September 2012.
4. Book: Wagner . Jeff . Wilson . Steven . Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal . 1 December 2010 . Bazilion Points Books . 117 . 9780979616334 . 22 September 2012.