Grim Reaper — See You In Hell

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

40 years ago today, “All Hell Let Loose” and all were “Dead on Arrival”!

On this day (July 13) in 1983, Grim Reaper released their debut full-length studio album, “See You in Hell” via the independent record label Ebony Records. The album cover was designed by Garry Sharpe-Young.

Background:

The band formed in Worcestershire and initially featured Paul de Mercado on vocals. Their first album demo tape was called “Bleed 'Em Dry” and had an album's worth of material. After developing a following in the northwest and Yorkshire they caught the attention of Heavy Metal Records, who added a re-recorded version of “The Reaper” to their 1981 compilation “Heavy Metal Heroes” from the demo.

A positive write-up in the Kerrang! 'Armed and Dangerous' section preceded a breakup of the initial lineup, with only Nick Bowcott remaining. He recruited Dave Wanklin on bass, Lee Harris on Drums, and most importantly, Steve Grimmett on vocals.

This lineup won a 1982 Battle of the Bands competition featuring over 100 bands, winning studio time to demo new material.

Grimmett was then the unofficial vocalist for Cheltenham's Chateaux, who were signed to Darryl Johnston's Ebony Records label, so he handed them the Grim Reaper demo tape, and the band was signed, who ultimately released their debut album, “See You in Hell”.

The album was then unexpectedly picked up by RCA Records for worldwide distribution and proceeded to climb up the American charts, peaking at No. 73 on the Billboard 200 in 1984.

Grim Reaper soon became readily identifiable with Bowcott's guitar work and lead vocalist Steve Grimmett's head voice vocals. Their successful world tour included a support show at Texxas Jam playing to over 20,000 people.

Critical Reception:

In the then fledgling Metal Forces magazine’s #3 issue in 1984, Dave Reynolds stated;

“Another end of year release that pulverised its way to the top five of my “Best of ’83” list. This is a pretty well surprising record in view of past output by Grim Reaper. If someone had told me at the beginning of 1983 that I would be telling the world that a Grim Reaper LP would be far and away one of the finest British heavy metal releases ever made, then I would’ve laughed in their face. Perhaps the change in line-up had something to do with it, notably vocalist Steve Grimmett.”

The title track was unceremoniously ranked No. 38 on VH1's 40 Most Awesomely Bad Metal Songs Ever countdown. According to vocalist Steve Grimmett in a 1984 interview, "Dead on Arrival" is about his friendship with Brian Field who was involved with the Great Train Robbery (1963).

In his book, “The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties.”, Martin Popoff gave “See You In Hell” 10 stars out of 10.

Writing for AllMusic, Loudwire’s Eduardo Rivadavia stated;

“Grim Reaper became the unlikeliest of over-achievers when their modest, independently released first album, “See You in Hell”, was unexpectedly picked up by RCA Records for worldwide distribution and proceeded to climb up the American charts. The irony of this is that the band had been kicking around the U.K. scene for years, taking part in, but never really taking off with, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal earlier in the decade. So, when they were finally handed a record deal by tiny start-up Ebony Records, few could have predicted that bigger things lay just around the corner, least of all the bandmembers themselves. But that's exactly what happened, as the album's fist-pumping title track and its accompanying video (later the subject of much derision at the hands of Beavis and Butthead) helped “See You in Hell” march up the charts to number 73 and shift a quarter of a million units to boot. Barring the requisite power ballad fiasco, "The Show Must Go On," the entire album is consistently strong, with further standouts like "Wrath of the Reaper" and "Run for Your Life" having aged better than one might expect -- outdated '80s-style production job and Grimmett's more exaggerated falsetto moments notwithstanding. And, to be fair, See You in Hell is truly an album of its time, and should be respected as such.”

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

▶ Listen to “See You in Hell” via Apple Music: Unavailable

▶ Listen to “See You in Hell” via Spotify: See You in Hell https://open.spotify.com/album/0aDlwkfgfeU7nYJNGvwv5b

▶ Watch the official Music video for “See You In Hell”: https://youtu.be/sJgv-qBBT3Y

▶ Follow Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grimreaperofficial

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells

Grim Reaper — See You In Hell

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