Hammercult

Hammercult
Background information
Origin Tel Aviv, Israel
Genres Thrash metal
Years active 2010–present
Labels Sonic Attack Records
Website www.hammercult.com
Members Yakir Shochat
Arie Aranovich
Guy Ben David
Elad Manor
Maayan Henik

Hammercult is an Israeli based thrash metal band, founded in 2010. The band, which is highly regarded as the leading extreme metal band of the Israeli metal movement in the 2000s.

Band history

Formation, Rise of the Hammer EP and Wacken Metal Battle (2010–2011)

The official founding of the band took place in October 2010 with the band going into full activity on their first show in Be'er Sheva, Israel, on December 25, 2010. The band's line-up included Yakir Shochat (vocals), Arie Aranovich (guitar) and Elad Manor (bass), Guy Ben-David (guitar), and Maayan Henik (drums), making the band a supergroup in the Israeli heavy metal scene.

A few months following the band formation, the band released their first release, a 5 track digital EP named 'Rise Of The Hammer'. The EP was available for free over the internet and made an impact in the underground scene.[1]

On April 12, 2011, the band participated in the Israeli Wacken Metal Battle finals at the Sublime club in Tel Aviv, where bands competed for a chance to represent Israel at the 2011 edition of Wacken Open Air, and compete against bands from the whole world.[2] Hammercult competed against Gevolt, Linked, PallaneX an Soul Torture, and won, earning them a place at the 2011 W:O:A.[3]

On May 5, 2011, the band was chosen to perform as the support act to Misery Index on their single show at the Sublime club in Tel Aviv, Israel, after original co-headliner Master had to cancel their appearance following the departure of some band members.[4][5][6]

On July 28, 2011, a few days before leaving to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival, the band held a release show for their debut EP on hard copy Rise of the Hammer at the Sublime club in Tel Aviv.[7][8]

On August 5, 2011, after performing at the Wacken Open Air Metal Battle contest on August 3, it was announced that Hammercult has beaten bands from all around the world and was declared as the winner of the 2011 edition of W:O:A Metal Battle, granting them new instruments and endorsements from various companies such as Washburn Guitars and Eden Electronics.[9][10][11][12]

Signing to Sonic Attack Records, European tours and Anthems of the Damned (2011–2012)

On September 29, 2011, it was announced that the band have signed with German label Sonic Attack Records, which is owned by famed manager Karl-Ulrich Walterbach, who is best known for founding the legendary heavy metal label Noise Records, where were signed such bands as Helloween, Kreator, Celtic Frost, Voivod, Rage and more.[13][14] In November 2011, Hammercult kicked off their first European tour of 17 dates (November 4–20) as a direct support to US thrash/crossover band D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles).[15] The same month Sonic Attack Records re-released the Rise of the Hammer EP as a limited promo for mostly media and tour promotion.

On March 7, 2012, the band revealed their debut full-length album's title to be Anthems of the Damned, with the expected release date of April 20, 2012 through Sonic Attack Records. The album was produced by the band's guitarist Arie Aranovich and mixed by former Hatesphere vocalist Jacob Bredahl. The band also revealed the album's tracklist, as well as confirming playing the 2012 edition of the Wacken Open Air festival.[16]

Also in March 2012, it was announced that the band will be once again touring Europe in the upcoming summer to promote Anthems of the Damned. The tour was considered a major success with Hammercult opening for Sepultura on 10 European shows in June, and performing with other major acts such as Hatebreed and Malevolent Creation along with playing some of their own headlining shows.

On September 10, 2012, the band announced on their Facebook page that they had begun the writing process for their second full-length album.[17][18] On December 30, 2012, it was announced that guitarist Yotam Nagor would be leaving the band, but that a replacement for him has been chosen already and will be revealed soon.[19]

New record label and second studio album (2013–present)

On June 3, 2013, the band announced on their Facebook page that they are now signed to German label SPV GmbH, and that their upcoming second album would be released on that label. Artists that released albums on the SPV label include Sepultura, Kreator, Motörhead, Judas Priest and others.[20] On June 7, 2013, the band announced that they will soon begin recording their second album.[21] In June 2013, SPV have re-released the first Hammercult album, Anthems of the Damned on vinyl format with 3 bonus tracks and a new cover art.

On September 17, 2013, it was announced founding member and guitarist Arie Aranovich was leaving the band to focus on his work as a producer and sound engineer.[22]

Band members

Former members

Discography

Release date Title Type Record label
2011 Rise of the Hammer EP Sonic Attack Records
2012 Anthems of the Damned Full-length album Sonic Attack Records
2014 Steelcrusher Full-length album SPV

References

  1. ↑ "HammerCult – Discover music, videos, concerts, stats, & pictures at". Last.fm. 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  2. ↑ "ynet מטאל באטל 2011 יוצא לדרך - תרבות ובידור". Ynet.co.il. 1995-06-20. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  3. ↑ "ynet הלהקה שלנו בוואקן: "האמרקלט" - תרבות ובידור". Ynet.co.il. 1995-06-20. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  4. ↑ http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/62738283/MASTER.jpg
  5. ↑ "להקת המטאל "Master" ביטלה הגעתה לארץ בשל עזיבת חברי ההרכב". Mako.co.il. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  6. ↑ http://www.ovmetal.com/en/item/2271
  7. ↑ Ov M et al. "HAMMERCULT – EP Release Show » Ov Metal » News". Ov Metal. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  8. ↑ "Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives - Hammercult - Rise of the Hammer". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  9. ↑ "Wacken 2011 | News | News and Reviews". Washburn.com. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  10. ↑ "Eden Electronics News - Wacken 2011". Eden-electronics.com. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  11. ↑ "ynet האמרקלט זכתה בתחרות המטאל באטל העולמית - תרבות ובידור". Ynet.co.il. 1995-06-20. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  12. ↑ http://www.metal-battle.com/index.php?id=102&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=94&cHash=5c9dc1c0cc8e8f0ed7f9d4ee423f0a6d
  13. ↑ "האמרקלט הוחתמו בגרמניה, יחממו את D.R.I בטור אירופי". Mako.co.il. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  14. ↑ http://www.metalist.co.il/NewsPrivate.asp?id=3746
  15. ↑ http://www.ovmetal.com/en/item/6776
  16. ↑ http://metalist.co.il/NewsPrivate.asp?id=4053
  17. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/hammercult/posts/461290813915450
  18. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=508579472519917&set=a.158309514213583.32030.144986908879177&type=1
  19. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=508579472519917&set=a.158309514213583.32030.144986908879177&type=1
  20. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=583009948410202&set=a.158309514213583.32030.144986908879177&type=1
  21. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/hammercult/posts/584980618213135
  22. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=636199723091224&set=a.158309514213583.32030.144986908879177&type=1&theater

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hammercult.