Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 06:04 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Thrash/Heavy Metal
Country: U.K.
Label: Powerstation Records
Year: 1988
It’s more than fair and reasonable to appoint United Kingdom as birthplace of classic heavy metal “beasts”, as well as of N.W.O.B.H.M. music revolution. Once in a while we should honor UK’s underground bands too. I chose “Hell House” by Holosade to talk about as the band released its second album, “Anastasis”, 33 years after their debut!
Holosade were formed back in 1985 in Darlington, County Durham, North England. In charge of the bad is singer Philip de Sade, the mastermind till nowadays. Apart from Philip, Holosade are Jack Hammer and Gary Hole on guitars, Mac on bass, and Damian Lee on drums. Until the release of “Hell House”, the band had 4 demos, a split with The Black Riders, Teacher’s Pet and Kes, as well as their participation in the collection “The Metal Collection Vol. I”, Ebony, 1986. The fundamental “Demo 1987” defines the path for “Hell House” that follows, with songs such as “Psycho” and “Eternal Life”. It was the split though that helped the band get a record deal. Selling up to 2,000 copies instantly caught the attention of Powerstation and FM / Revolver. The band was really keen on working with Powerstation.
The original idea was to release a six track mini-LP. But they had already completed 8, thus it was difficult to set aside 2. The company encouraged them to proceed with a full length release. “Hell House” was finally released as a full length (including all 8 tracks) and is a very different record for a British one. Philip de Sade used to say when interviewed at the time that they were just a band from England promoting British music. Musically though I would say that they sound more American than British, they are closer to the Anthrax in a way. Of course, there are plenty melodic elements, given in a more street way. Bands material resembles also to Iron Maiden’s first 2 records. Besides their sound, “Hell House” is a true/cult diamond. We‘ve got eight fantastic Heavy / Thrash compositions of such greatness, with “Madame Guillotine” and “Psycho” being album’s trademark in my opinion. Lyrics are inspired by horror books and movies. The cover reflects also this same approach.
The album was followed by a tour with Acid Reign, with whom, in addition to common origins, they had quite a similar sound. At live shows, Philip de Sade appeared on stage with a mask, which, as he says, added a more theatrical point of view. Unfortunately, “Hell House” was to be, the first and last album of the band. It was an excellent sample of Heavy / Thrash metal back at the times from a band with European melodic lines and American roughness.
In 1994 they released another demo. The band is preparing to issue another full length in 2021, after almost 33 years! The title “Anastasis” is a perfect match! The song “Psycho” was included in the collection “Contract in Blood: A History of UK Thrash Metal”, by “Cherry Red”, in 2018. In 2015, “Divebomb Records” reissued “Hell House” with bonus material, in 500 copies. This re-release was dedicated to Damian Lee, the drummer of the album, who passed away in 2008. We are anticipating for their new release but no matter what is to come, «Hell House” will always be remembered as a reference point of British heavy / thrash underground.
