The impact of Swiss extreme metal forefathers HELLHAMMER is one that still resonates around the global metal scene today, such was their influence on the early extreme, death, and black metal genres. In the 40 years that have passed since their humble beginnings in Nurensdorf, Switzerland, in May 1982, they have gained a mythically iconic status despite existing for a mere two years. However, the band left a highly influential body of work behind, including the three demos “Death Fiend”, “Satanic Rites” and “Triumph Of Death” (al re-released in 2008 as the “Demon Entrails” demo retrospective),the seminal “Apocalyptic Raids” EP, and two tracks from the legendary “Death Metal” compilation. In light of this legacy, it is almost inconceivable that HELLHAMMER never performed this music on stage.

CELTIC FROST, the successor group formed by HELLHAMMER founding member Tom Gabriel Fischer (a.k.a. Tom Gabriel Warrior) and former HELLHAMMER bassist Martin Eric Ain, would sporadically play a HELLHAMMER song or two, and Warrior‘s current band, TRIPTYKON, have played the occasional HELLHAMMER song live, but the vast body of HELLHAMMER‘s work remained unperformed, until the inception of TRIUMPH OF DEATH. In 2019 Tom Gabriel Warrior stated: “HELLHAMMER will never return and will never be reformed. It is absolutely impossible to reform a band so closely linked to a very specific and unique period in time. But HELLHAMMER‘s music exists, and it is an extremely important part of my life’s path. And I would like to play it onstage before my demise.”

The resurrection of the music of HELLHAMMER had been an idea Tom Gabriel Warrior and Martin Eric Ain discussed for many years, sparked not least by their renewed collaboration in the reformed CELTIC FROST in the 2000s. The first steps towards the realization of TRIUMPH OF DEATH, named after HELLHAMMER‘s most infamous song and intended to be a very respectful and authentic tribute to HELLHAMMER, were finally taken in 2014, and the band was officially founded in autumn of 2018. TRIUMPH OF DEATH consists of individuals who not only love the music in question but truly understand it. The lineup emulates HELLHAMMER‘s final incarnation of April/May 1984, when the group had added an additional guitarist. To date TRIUMPH OF DEATH has performed numerous notable concerts globally and has brought the seminal music of HELLHAMMER to fans both old and new, many of whom thought they may never see it live on stage.