Grim Reaper

Grim Reaper

Genres: heavy metal, NWOBHM, metal, 80s, british

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About Grim Reaper

Grim Reaper were a British heavy metal band formed in 1979 in Droitwich, Worcestershire, by guitarist Nick Bowcott. The band experienced numerous line-up changes over the years, with frontman Steve Grimmett serving as the longest-standing member from 1982 to 1988 and again from 2006 until his death in 2022. Grim Reaper are best known for several of their 1980s songs, including the title tracks from their first three albums: "See You in Hell" (1983), "Fear No Evil" (1985), and "Rock You to Hell" (1987). These tracks gained renewed recognition in the 1990s through appearances on the television show Beavis and Butt-Head. The band disbanded in 1988 and later reformed in 2006 under the name Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper due to legal disputes over the rights to the original band name. Under this name, they released two studio albums: "Walking in the Shadows" (2016) and "At the Gates" (2019), before disbanding following Grimmett’s death. Grim Reaper initially featured Paul de Mercado on vocals and recorded a demo tape titled "Bleed 'Em Dry". After gaining a following in northern England, the band attracted the attention of Heavy Metal Records, which included a re-recorded version of "The Reaper" on their 1981 compilation "Heavy Metal Heroes". Following the departure of the original line-up, Nick Bowcott recruited Dave Wanklin on bass, Lee Harris on drums, and Steve Grimmett on vocals. This line-up won a 1982 Battle of the Bands competition, earning studio time to record additional material. Grimmett’s connection with the band Chateaux facilitated the demo being passed to Ebony Records, leading to the signing of Grim Reaper and the release of their debut album, "See You in Hell", in 1983 through RCA Records. The band gained recognition for Bowcott’s guitar work and Grimmett’s high-pitched vocal style. Their 1985 follow-up album, "Fear No Evil", achieved moderate success in the United States and Europe. Legal disputes with Ebony Records delayed the release of the third album, "Rock You to Hell", which was eventually released in 1987 through RCA Records. Despite major label support and a promotional video for the title track, the rise of thrash and speed metal led to a decline in popularity for Grim Reaper’s melodic heavy metal style. Plans for a fourth album were halted due to further legal issues, and the band disbanded in 1988. Following the break-up, Grimmett performed with Onslaught and Lionsheart and contributed to several tribute albums. Bowcott pursued work as a freelance music journalist, including contributions to Circus and Guitar World, and played in the band Barfly. Grim Reaper reformed in 2006, initially performing at the Keep It True VI festival in Lauda-Königshofen. Subsequent appearances included the MetalBrew festival in London in 2009 and various European festivals, such as British Steel in Bologna in 2010. In 2014, Grim Reaper performed in the United States for the first time since 1987, featuring original guitarist Nick Bowcott and new material from the forthcoming album "From Hell". Under the name Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper, the band released the album "Walking in the Shadows" in 2016. In January 2017 Grimmett underwent surgery following an infection that led to the partial amputation of his right leg, but the band continued to perform, including a headlining set at Hard Rock Hell in Sheffield in December 2017. The band released a new album, "At the Gates", on 11 October 2019, with a launch show in London. A live album, "Reaping the Whirlwind", was released in March 2022. Steve Grimmett died on 15 August 2022 at the age of 62, after which the band disbanded. Studio albums See You in Hell (1983) Fear No Evil (1985) Rock You to Hell (1987) Walking in the Shadows (2016) At the Gates (2019)

Taken from Last.fm

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