Demon Entrails is a compilation album that comprises three demos by the Swiss extreme metal band Hellhammer. The demos – Death Fiend, Triumph of Death and Satanic Rites – were all recorded during 1983 and were properly remastered for this compilation.
Music and lyrics The music on Demon Entrails is considered to be primitive, drawing influence from Venom. According to Phil Freeman of AllMusic: "Hellhammer's riffs could be played by a chimp wearing boxing gloves, but they've got the same crunching power as songs by Motörhead, Discharge, and the Melvins, other groups with a keen understanding of unsubtlety." Tape hiss is audible on the album. The album's equalization and mix is considered to be "bass-heavy". Freeman said: "This music is a runaway bulldozer, the sound of three pissed-off young men cranking the amps and releasing all their frustration and misanthropy as fast as possible." The album's lyrics explore themes such as gore, damnation, and demonology.
Artwork There exists a deluxe release of the album that includes "full lyrics and a booklet full of rare photos," according to Phil Freeman of AllMusic.
Reception and legacy Phil Freeman of AllMusic gave the album a score of four stars out of five. He wrote: "It's no wonder Hellhammer's demos have been cited as an influence on pretty much the entire Scandinavian black metal scene, not to mention the young ladies of Japan's Gallhammer. Over 25 years later, this is still extremely powerful stuff, and the lavish packaging gives it the respect it deserves."
Track listing
Recorded 2–4 December and 7, 1983 at Sound Concept Studio
Recorded 10–11 June 1983 at Grave Hill Bunker
Personnel Hellhammer Tom Gabriel Warrior (Satanic Slaughter) – guitar, bass, vocals, production Martin Eric Ain (Slayed Necros) – backing vocals, production (disc one) Bruce Day (Denial Fiend/Bloodhunter) – drums Steve Warrior (Savage Damage) – bass, vocals
Production and Artwork Med Demiral – engineering (disc one) Rol Fuchs – production (disc two) Philipp Schweidler – remastering Andreas Schwarber – photography Martin Kyburz – photography Carsten Drescher – layout, design Janina Kasperidus – layout, design Nadine Mainka – layout, design Patrick Schombert – layout, design Stefan Wibbeke – layout, design
Release history Region Date Europe United States
References
External links Demon Entrails official page "Death Fiends": A Short Biography of HELLHAMMER