Hobbs' Angel of Death
Encyclopedia
Hobbs' Angel of Death are an Australian thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...

 band that began in 1987 in Melbourne, and are one of the first Australian groups to perform in that genre. They released two studio albums, Hobb's Angel of Death (1988) and Inheritance (1995) before disbanding in 1996. They reformed in 2002 and released a compilation album, Hobbs' Satan's Crusade (2003).

History

Hobbs' Angel of Death was formed in January 1987 in Melbourne, initially as a solo project for ex-Tyrus guitarist Peter Hobbs. With the help of ex-Nothing Sacred
Nothing Sacred (band)
Nothing Sacred were a thrash metal band from Australia that existed in the 1980s.- History :One of the earliest Australian bands to play thrash metal, Nothing Sacred formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1983. After recording a demo, they released their first EP Deathwish, an independent release, and...

 members, Karl Lean (bass guitar), Sham Littleman (drums) and Mark Woolley (guitar), the band recorded two demos, Angel of Death and Virgin Metal Invasion from Down Under, that attracted interest from overseas labels. They are one of the first Australian groups to perform European style thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...

.

In February and March 1988, they were at Musiclab studios in Berlin to record their debut self-titled album, Hobbs' Angel of Death. Produced by Harris Johns
Harris Johns
Harris Johns is a European music producer, who used to be more active in the 80's in the heavy metal and punk scene, working for a lot of named bands, such as Helloween, Coroner, Tankard, Sodom, Voivod, Kreator, Ratos de Porão, Slime, Daily Terror and many others. Most of his productions were...

, it was released in July on German label Steamhammer Records, and "became a best-seller in Europe". The line-up for the album was Hobbs and Woolley with Philip Gresik on bass guitar and Darren McMaster-Smith on drums. In 1989, Hobbs and Woolley with Bruno Canziani (drums) and Dave Frew (bass guitar) began touring.

A second album, Inheritance was released in 1995, but failed to repeat the success of its predecessor and was an Australia-only release. It was difficult to obtain outside Australia and the band had "emerged from the darkness with a poorly produced second" album. Hobbs' Angel of Death broke up soon after its release.

In 2002, Hobbs reformed the band and released a compilation album of two early demos. The band played a European tour including an appearance at Wacken Festival, and shows with German thrash group Destruction
Destruction (band)
Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "three kings" of the Teutonic thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator and Sodom...

 and black metallers Mayhem
Mayhem (band)
Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, Norway and regarded as one of the pioneers of the influential Norwegian black metal scene...

. In July 2003, keyboardist Talie Helene, despite never having recorded nor played live with Hobbs' Angel of Death, left to form her own band, Stone Maiden. Remaining members were Hobbs, Canziani and Frew.

Although playing traditional style thrash metal, Hobbs described his band's sound as "virgin metal" – a pure form of music. The band signed a record deal with Australian label Modern Invasion Music.

Members

Current members
  • Peter Hobbs- Guitar, Vocals
  • Jason - Guitar
  • Steve - Bass


Past members
  • Guitars – Mark Wooley, Nick Maltezos

  • Drums – Sham Littleman, Darren McMaster-Smith, Bruno Canziani (Anticros), Nuclear Exterminator (Red Barr)

  • Bass guitars – Philip Gresik (Bullet Eater), Karl Lean, Dave Frew

  • Keyboards – Talie Helene

Albums

  • Hobbs' Angel of Death (Steamhammer Records SHLP 7006, SPV 85-7525, July 1988)

Track listing
  • Inheritance (Def Records, 1995)

Track listing

Extended plays

  • Virgin Metal Invasion from Down Under (February 1987)
  • Angel of Death (November 1987)

Compilations

  • Demolition - Scream Your Brains Out! (Chain Reaction Records, 1988) - Metal Forces
    Metal Forces
    The British publication Metal Forces emerged during 1983 and aided greatly in the promotion of metal and rock genre music. The magazine was well known for its coverage of unsigned bands through its Demolition feature and championed the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, HellsBelles, Overkill,...

    compilation with the songs "Chainsaw Massacre" and "Satan's Crusade"
  • Hobbs' Satan's Crusade (Modern Invasion Music MIM7336-2CD, 2003)

Track listing
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK