Grim Reaper (band)
Encyclopedia
Grim Reaper are a British
heavy metal
band from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal
era. The band was formed in 1979 in Droitwich
, England
, by guitarist Nick Bowcott.
featuring over 100 bands. They were eventually signed to Darryl Johnston's Ebony Records, and their debut album was See You in Hell. The album was released in 1984 and was distributed worldwide through RCA Records
.
vocals. Their successful world tour included a support show at Texxas Jam
playing to over 20,000 people. Their 1985 follow-up, Fear No Evil, showed improvement on the production front and also enjoyed moderate success in both the United States
and Europe
.
by almost two years. The album was released directly through RCA Records in 1987. However, by this time Grim Reaper's melodic Heavy metal
sound had fallen out of favor as much of the metal market moved toward heavier fare like thrash metal
and speed metal
. Even the major label distribution and popular video for the title track could not save the band. With the production of their fourth studio album (reportedly to be called Nothing Whatsoever to Do with Hell) about to start, another round of legal action from Ebony Records effectively dealt the death blow to Grim Reaper, subsequently disbanding in 1988.
and Lionsheart
, as well as perform on several tribute albums. Bowcott became a freelance music writer, and later staff contributor, for publications like Circus
and Guitar World
. Bowcott also worked with Marshall Amplification
's United States division. He also played in the band Barfly who recorded an album with Jack Ponti
producing and Michael Wagener
mixing for RCA records.
announced on Metal Mania
that the band has reformed. The "original" lineup of Grim Reaper (without Nick Bowcott) played the Keep It True
VI festival in Lauda-Königshoffen on 8 April 2006. The band played the annual MetalBrew festival in London's Mill Hill on Saturday 18 July 2009. Later they were scheduled to play at the Play it Loud
IV in Bologna, Italy, in September 2009. The festival was then cancelled when the promoter forfeited, but the band (urged on by a numerous crowd of hardcore fan who had already bought tickets) managed to play the date along with a number of originally billed acts (as a single-day event instead of a weekend-spanning one).
The band made a very successful appearance at the British Steel festival in Bolognia Italy in November 2010 at the Estragon venue on a bill that included other classic bands of the NWoBHM era - Diamond Head, Girlschool, Demon and Angelwitch. They also played at the Academy Birmingham with the band Jameson Raid.
The current lineup continues to tour the UK and Europe. The band are doing a short tour of Greece and Cyprus in November of 2011 followed by the release of a new live CD. A US tour is being planned for March and April of 2012.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal
New Wave of British Heavy Metal
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black...
era. The band was formed in 1979 in Droitwich
Droitwich Spa
Droitwich Spa is a town in northern Worcestershire, England, on the River Salwarpe.The town is situated on massive deposits of salt, and salt has been extracted there since ancient times. The natural Droitwich brine contains 2½ lbs...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, by guitarist Nick Bowcott.
Early years (1979-1984)
They were discovered after winning a Battle of the BandsBattle of the Bands
Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of...
featuring over 100 bands. They were eventually signed to Darryl Johnston's Ebony Records, and their debut album was See You in Hell. The album was released in 1984 and was distributed worldwide through RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
.
Commercial success (1985-1986)
Grim Reaper soon became readily identifiable with Bowcott's guitar work and lead vocalist Steve Grimmett's head voiceHead voice
Head voice is a term used within vocal music. The use of this term varies widely within vocal pedagogical circles and there is currently no one consistent opinion among vocal music professionals regarding this term...
vocals. Their successful world tour included a support show at Texxas Jam
Texxas Jam
The Texxas Jam was the informal nickname of an annual summer arena rock concert called the Texxas World Music Festival . It was held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas and in Houston, Texas, at either the Astrodome or Rice Stadium on the campus of Rice University.The original Texxas Jam was a...
playing to over 20,000 people. Their 1985 follow-up, Fear No Evil, showed improvement on the production front and also enjoyed moderate success in both the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Legal battles and later years (1987-1988)
Legal battles with Ebony Records delayed the release of the band's third album Rock You to HellRock You To Hell
Rock You to Hell is the third album released by the British heavy metal band Grim Reaper in 1987 under the RCA label.-Track listing:*All songs by Nick Bowcott and Steve Grimmett unless noted.# "Rock You to Hell" - 4:01...
by almost two years. The album was released directly through RCA Records in 1987. However, by this time Grim Reaper's melodic Heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
sound had fallen out of favor as much of the metal market moved toward heavier fare like 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...
and speed metal
Speed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from NWOBHM and hardcore punk roots. It is described by Allmusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music....
. Even the major label distribution and popular video for the title track could not save the band. With the production of their fourth studio album (reportedly to be called Nothing Whatsoever to Do with Hell) about to start, another round of legal action from Ebony Records effectively dealt the death blow to Grim Reaper, subsequently disbanding in 1988.
Side projects (1988-2006)
Grimmett went on to front OnslaughtOnslaught (band)
Onslaught are an English thrash metal band from Bristol, England. Initially active from 1983 to 1991, they reformed in 2004. The band initially drew influence from the second wave punk rock bands such as Discharge and The Exploited, and then adopted a straight forward thrash metal...
and Lionsheart
Lionsheart
Lionsheart is a British heavy metal band from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, formed in 1992. Founded by former Grim Reaper/Onslaught vocalist Steve Grimmett...
, as well as perform on several tribute albums. Bowcott became a freelance music writer, and later staff contributor, for publications like Circus
Circus (magazine)
Circus was a monthly American magazine devoted to rock music. It was published from 1966 to 2006. In its heyday the magazine had a full-time editorial staff that included some of the biggest names in rock journalism, including Paul Nelson, David Fricke, and Kurt Loder, and rivaled Rolling Stone in...
and Guitar World
Guitar World
Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. It contains original interviews, album and gear reviews and guitar and bass tablature of approximately five songs each month. The magazine is published 13 times per year...
. Bowcott also worked with Marshall Amplification
Marshall Amplification
Marshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
's United States division. He also played in the band Barfly who recorded an album with Jack Ponti
Jack Ponti
Jack Ponti is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, manager, label executive, and consultant.-Career:Jack Ponti is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, manager, label executive, and consultant who started his career in the music business playing guitar in the rock band...
producing and Michael Wagener
Michael Wagener
Michael Wagener is a music producer, mixer, and engineer from Hamburg, Germany, best known for his work with many top hard rock and heavy metal bands in the late 80's. Wagener's works have sold over ninetyfour million albums worldwide. Wagener was the original guitarist for the German band Accept...
mixing for RCA records.
Current (2006-present)
In 2006, Eddie TrunkEddie Trunk
Eddie Trunk is an American music historian, radio personality, talk show host, and author best known as the host of several hard rock and heavy metal themed radio and television shows.- Current work :...
announced on Metal Mania
Metal Mania
Metal Mania is a block of classic heavy metal/hard rock music videos on VH1 Classic, sometimes hosted by Eddie Trunk.Musicians who have appeared on the show as guests include Rob Zombie, Black Sabbath, Geoff Tate , and the founding members of Judas Priest.The show also includes news of upcoming...
that the band has reformed. The "original" lineup of Grim Reaper (without Nick Bowcott) played the Keep It True
Keep It True
Keep It True is a heavy metal festival held annually in Germany since 2003.-I:"The Traditional Heavy Metal Festival": July 19, 2003 Lauda-Königshofen, Tauberfrankenhalle*Omen*Brocas Helm*Majesty*Doomsword*Solitaire*Killers*Killer*Malediction*Gunfire...
VI festival in Lauda-Königshoffen on 8 April 2006. The band played the annual MetalBrew festival in London's Mill Hill on Saturday 18 July 2009. Later they were scheduled to play at the Play it Loud
Play It Loud
Play It Loud is the second album by the British rock group Slade . It was released on 28 November 1970 but did not enter the charts....
IV in Bologna, Italy, in September 2009. The festival was then cancelled when the promoter forfeited, but the band (urged on by a numerous crowd of hardcore fan who had already bought tickets) managed to play the date along with a number of originally billed acts (as a single-day event instead of a weekend-spanning one).
The band made a very successful appearance at the British Steel festival in Bolognia Italy in November 2010 at the Estragon venue on a bill that included other classic bands of the NWoBHM era - Diamond Head, Girlschool, Demon and Angelwitch. They also played at the Academy Birmingham with the band Jameson Raid.
The current lineup continues to tour the UK and Europe. The band are doing a short tour of Greece and Cyprus in November of 2011 followed by the release of a new live CD. A US tour is being planned for March and April of 2012.
Current members
- Steve GrimmettSteve GrimmettSteve Grimmett is a heavy metal vocalist who began his career in the era of New Wave of British Heavy Metal. His original band was the short-lived Medusa, before he became known as the lead vocalist for Grim Reaper...
- lead vocals (1982–1988, 2006–present) - Ian Nash - guitars (1979, 2006–present)
- Chaz Grimaldi - bass (2008–present)
- Mark Rumble - drums (2010–present)
Former members
- Nick Bowcott - guitars (1979–1988)
- Dave Wanklin - bass (1981–1987)
- Geoff Curtis - bass (1987–1988)
- Lee Harris - drums (1982–1984)
- Mark Simon - drums (1984–1988)
- Kevin Neale - bass (1979–1981)
- Adrian Jacques - drums (1981–1982)
- Paul DeMercado - lead vocals (1979–1981)
- Richie Walker - bass (1979, 2006–2008)
- Philip Matthews - bass (1981)
- Blazing Boon Rogan- Flugall Horn (1985)
- Pete Newdeck - drums (1979–1981, 2006–2010)
Studio albums
- See You in Hell (1984)
- Fear No Evil (1985)
- Rock You to HellRock You To HellRock You to Hell is the third album released by the British heavy metal band Grim Reaper in 1987 under the RCA label.-Track listing:*All songs by Nick Bowcott and Steve Grimmett unless noted.# "Rock You to Hell" - 4:01...
(1987)
External links
- Grim Reaper at Yahoo! MusicYahoo! MusicYahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...