Hell is an American doom metal solo project formed in 2008 by M.S.W., a multi-instrumentalist from Salem, Oregon.[1] Hell began as a creative outlet for M.S.W., but it eventually gained momentum and grew to include a touring band.[2] According to M.S.W., the project disregards typical religious themes and instead focuses on the concept of a "personal Hell".[3]
Hell | |
|---|---|
 Hell performing at Roadburn 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Salem, Oregon, U.S. |
| Genres | Doom metal, blackened doom |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members | M.S.W. |
History edit
In 2008, M.S.W. created Hell as a solo endeavor.[2] Regarding the project developing into something greater, he said:
Initially I just used Hell as an emotional outlet, but when people started to ask when Hell would perform a live show, I started thinking about a possible lineup. I never thought Hell would be where it is today. I envisioned the project remaining a solo endeavor, which it has, but never thought it would ever get as far as full U.S. tours with a full perfect line up of session musicians or anything like that. Right now, we're about to take off to Europe which is unreal to think about.[2]
In 2009, the project's first album, Hell I, was released through Woodsmoke as a cassette limited to 100 copies.[4] The debut's follow up, Hell II, was released a year later in 2010, and incorporated new subgenres of extreme metal for the project, like black metal.[5] The conclusion of the initial trilogy, Hell III, was released in 2012 and adopted operatic and symphonic elements.[5] After gathering an underground following,[6] Hell performed at Roadburn 2016 and 2018[7] In 2017, Hell released its self-titled album to critical acclaim.[8]
Many of Hell's studio albums borrow their cover art style from the work of Gustave Doré, albeit tinted red.[2]
Band members edit
Hell
- M.S.W. – songwriting, vocals, guitars, bass, drums
Additional touring members
- Liam Neighbors (A.L.N.) – drums
- Nate Meyers – bass
- Sheene Coffin – guitar
Past touring members
- Gina Hendrika Eygenhuysen – violin
- Kyle Wattson – drums
- Adam T. – drums
- Paul Reidel – guitar
- Kento Woolrey – guitar
Discography edit
Studio albums
Extended plays
- Hell (2015)
Splits
- Ancestortooth/Hell – with Ancestortooth (2009)
- Resurrection Bay – with Thou (2012)
- Amarok/Hell – with Amarok (2013)
- Live Split – with Hail (2013)
- Hell/Mizmor – with Mizmor (2014)
- Hell/Primitive Man – with Primitive Man (2019)
Compilations
- Tour Through Hell 2013 (2013)
- Trilogy (2013)
- MMXVI (2014)
- Splits (2018)
Live albums
- Sheol (2014)
- Live at Roadburn 2018 (2019)
References edit
- ^ Kelly, Kim. "HELL's Apocalyptic Doom Will Outlive Us All". noisey.vice.com. Vice. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
- ^ a b c d A, Ben (April 7, 2016). "Falling from Your Heavens: A Conversation with M.S.W. of Hell". blackmetalandbrews.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
- ^ "Hell official Facebook page (includes overview)". facebook.com. Facebook. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
- ^ Hell I (digital liner notes). Hell. Woodsmoke. 2009. canto 014. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b David, Cody (April 22, 2016). "Funeral Doom Friday: Getting Tormented By HELL's Nightmarish, Self-Titled Trilogy". metalinjection.net. Metal Injection. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
- ^ Davis, Cody (July 24, 2017). "Oregon Doomsayer HELL's Crushing Fury Returns In "Machitikos"". metalinjection.net. Metal Injection. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ Handelman, Ben. "Hell to Perform Their S/T Album in Full at Roadburn 2018". roadburn.com. Roadburn Festival. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
- ^ Moore, Doug (December 12, 2017). "The Best Metal Albums of 2017". stereogum.com. Stereogum. Retrieved December 29, 2017.