Heller (band)

Heller
Background information
Origin Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia
Genres Thrash metal, speed metal
Years active 1985–1993, 2013–present
Labels Ghost House Records, Take It Or Leave It Records, Rock Express Records
Associated acts Amnesia, Brainstorm, Rapidforce, Sick Mother Fakers
Members Attila
Čvora
Dača
Dane
Hogar
Past members

Kosta Bogdanović
Zoran Miladinović
Darko Smukov
Zoran Dankov
Saša Đaković
Duče
Žare

Žmegi

Zoća

Heller is a Serbian and former Yugoslav speed/thrash metal band from Belgrade, notable as one of the first Yugoslav thrash metal bands and one of the pioneers of former Yugoslav extreme metal. The band's debut self-titled album is arguably the first extreme metal album in former Yugoslavia, and one of the first of the kind in Southeastern Europe.

History

1985 – 1993

The band was formed in 1985 by Attila (guitar, vocals) and Kosta Bogdanović ( guitar), with Zoran Miladinović (bass guitar) and Saša Đaković "Müller" (drums). During the following year, the band had their first larger appearances at the Hit 202 held at the Belgrade Dom Omladine and the Belgrade Heavy Metal Festival, with the popular bands of the time. The lineup also recorded a live demo recording, made at a performance in Zemun, featuring the songs "Dead or Alive", "Armageddon" and "Heller", which were broadcast on the national Radio 202.

The following year, the band kept on working with a new bassist Dejan Čvorović "Čvora". In the meantime, Bogdanović left the band, later working with Amnesia and forming the band Rapidforce,[1] being replaced by guitarist Darko Smukov "Dare", later a Brainstorm and Sick Mother Fakers member, only to be replaced by the guitarist Zoran Dankov "Dane". The lineup also recorded their first demo recording, featuring the material written in English language, and consisting of four live recorded tracks. The following year, in 1988, the singer Senad Prašović "Žmegi" came to the band after singer Žare, and Attila assumed only the guitar playing duty.

In 1989, the band released their first and only album through the Odžaci label Ghost House Records. Heller, released on April,[2] featuring eleven tracks, including one instrumental composition. The album was produced and arranged by Attila and all tracks were written by Attila and Čvorović. The lyrics for all tracks, except for "Dead or Alive" were written in Serbian language. The album was released in 500 copies only and is today a rarity and a collector's item. It is arguably the first Yugoslav thrash metal record, and extreme metal in general, and one of the first releases of the kind in South-Eastern Europe. During the same year, the band also performed as an opening act for the German band Destruction in Zagreb and Ljubljana.[3]

In 1993, the band recorded a demo recording, prosaically[4] called Demo Tape, released on compact cassette only by Take It Or Leave It Records, featuring seven tracks, including one recorded live. After the demo release, the band ceased to exist.

Post breakup

In 2003, Rock Express Records released a CD reissue of the self-titled album, featuring four bonus tracks, "Destiny", "Trash", "H.W.I.B." and "RR", released on the first demo recording.[5]

2013 – present

In 2013, the band reunited, in the lineup that featured Attila and Zoran Dankov on guitar, Senad Prašović on vocals, Dejan Čvorović on bass guitar and one new old member, drummer Hogar.[6] The band had their reunion concert on Vračar Rocks festival, on January 17, 2014 in Božidarac club in Belgrade.[7] The band is announced to perform at the 2014 EXIT festival.[8]

Discography

Studio albums

Official demo recordings

References

External links

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