Death SS

Death SS
Origin Italy
Genres Heavy metal (old), crossover (new)
Years active 1977 - 1984
1988 - present
Labels Minotauro Records
Discomagic Records
Contempo Records
Lucifer Rising Records
Live Global
Associated acts Paul Chain
Website deathss.com
Members
Steve Sylvester
Al De Noble
Francis Thorn
Glenn Strange
Freddy Delirio
Ross Lukather

Death SS (In Death of Steve Sylvester) is an Italian heavy metal band.

Contents

Biography

Death SS was formed in 1977 by Steve Sylvester, who was a member of the Ordo Templi Orientis.[1]. The band combined elements of horror, occultism and heavy metal to become a pioneer in horror metal and black metal[2]; the musical style is called “horror music” by the band[3]. The original line-up also featured Paul Chain, who would later play doom metal with his solo project, Paul Chain Violet Theatre. Death SS split in 1984 but reformed in 1988 (with Sylvester being the only original member). This new incarnation of the band recorded their first full-length album, ...In Death of Steve Sylvester. There would be many line-up changes in the years to come, with Sylvester once again being the only constant (except a short time in the early 80s when Paul Chain would front the band on the Evil Metal EP).

The album Panic was partially recorded in the USA, with Neil Kernon as a producer, because the band liked his work for artists like Queensrÿche, Judas Priest, Dokken, Nevermore, David Bowie, Rush and Skrew and had, according to Sylvester, “a particular touch in the dark side of Heavy Metal […] that we were looking for”. The band’s management contacted Kernon, who accepted after listening the the band’s demos of the news songs. The album was released in 2000 by Sylvester’s own label, Lucifer Rising, and Dream Cather.[1]

Line-ups

First line-up (1977-1984)

...In Death of Steve Sylvester (1988)

Black Mass (1989)

Heavy Demons (1991)

Do What Thou Wilt (1997)

Panic (2000)

Humanomalies (2002)

The 7th Seal (2006)

Current Line-Up (2008)

Discography

Albums

Live albums

Singles/EPs

Compilations

References

  1. ^ a b Yiva Asker: Death SS. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points Books 2011, p. 472ff.
  2. ^ Emperor. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points Books 2011, p. 274.
  3. ^ Jean: Death SS.

External links