| Holocaust | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Genres | Heavy metal Progressive metal |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | Edgy Records |
| Members | |
| John Mortimer John McCullim Bryan Bartley Ron Levine |
|
Holocaust is a heavy metal band based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 1977 while still at high school, the original lineup, featuring guitarists John Mortimer and Ed Dudley, vocalist Gary Lettice, bassist Robin Begg and drummer Paul Collins, became part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. After numerous line-up changes due to internal strife, John Mortimer remains the only founding member of Holocaust since No Man's Land.
After the demise of the original incarnations of the band John Mortimer embarked on less heavy direction with the formation of 'Dunedin', with guitarist Fin West, long term drummer Steven Cowan and bassist Graham Hall, recruited from the blues-rock band 'Just the Job'.
Despite Dunedin producing some notable material, West left to pursue separate projects leaving Mortimer/Cowan and Hall to revert to a heavier sound.
This lineup of the band produced what is generally regarded as the bands finest recording The Sound of Souls which embraced a multitude of musical styles and introduced industrial elements to the bands sound with Cowans electronic percussion playing a significant part in moulding the overall sound. The album was released to massive critical acclaim and has been cited as an influence to countless other rock acts. Shortly after the release of The Sound of Souls Graham Hall was replaced on bass by classical guitarist and long time friend of the band Iain McKenzie, who remained in the line-up during the writing and rehearsal of Hypnosis of Birds, before finally leaving to teach music.
Hypnosis of Birds in 1992 was a change in the atmosphere of Holocaust. The songs were more gloomy and the riffs from The Sound of Souls were gone. Spirits Fly is largely in the slower style of Hypnosis of Birds.
Covenant in 1997 was a return to the thrash metal style of The Sound of Souls. With the return of Graham Hall as bass player, it is a much faster album with the fast riffs heard in The Sound of Souls.
The Courage to Be (which saw a return of Iain McKenzie as co-lead guitarist) and Primal both follow in the steps of Covenant.
Contents |
Unknown