Customer Reviews

See You in Hell

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This album defined an era in music when (dark and sinister overtones aside) music was marked by the unearthly wail of dark melodic guitars over staccato riffs, mixed with the wailing singer capable of shattering glass at the correct volume. Aside from the disrespect shown by Beavis and Butthead, these guys defined rock in the 80's, and still do, .... Grim Reaper rocked the world, were shafted as many bands have been (and continue to be), and went on to other endeavors. BUT! At least they hold the record for a #1 single to an "unsigned" band, and they have THREE albums to be monumentally proud of! As for guitar works and solos... Nick hit upon a progression of chords and notes that touch the melancholy dark side in listeners... and when you find paradise, why give it up? Plus, if you've truly listened to the three albums (of which this is the first), and have an ear for guitar work, his solos were NOT the same... rather, the style was the same (per Nick's own style), but the progressions and density were unique to each song. Also, these guys should be praised for picking a theme and sticking with it melodically throughout an entire 8 song record. Think upon this and be dismayed... should you NOT own the albums already!

If you like Iron Maiden you will probably like this band. Somewhat similar in sound this band still has its own flavor. I remember seeing them back in 84 when I was 14 and they blew me away. I think I bought every style of concert T-shirt they were selling at that show. I wish I still had one of those, maybe the baseball jersey or "muscle shirt". Ah memories. Their videos were kinda funny as some of the members are pretty chubby and don't do the spandex thing to well. For me it adds to their cheesiness appeal, as well as the nostalgia appeal of a certain time in my life (early teen) when I hadn't quite discovered punk rock and metal was the soundtrack to my rebellion.

This is a re-release of the 80's metal band's debut album. Originally thought to be a death metal band with Satanic lyrics and overtones, upon hearing this you will think otherwise. Never a great band, Grim Reaper did have some great songs. See You In Hell is perhaps their best. I recommend picking up their "Best of..." disc to get the full flavor of what this band was like. One thing that bothers me....why did all of Nick Bowcott's solos sound alike? I never figured that out.

Before I begin, to the dork reviewer before, I must say that Beavis and Butthead have already beat you to that comment 10 years ago. Besides, Grim Reaper could completely annihilate Spinal Tap on stage. Anyway, Grim Reaper was one of the greatest NWOBHM bands with such allies as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Grim Reaper was well talented enough to gain a following in which they really deserved but never realy received, especially in the states. I'm not joking when I say these guys are talented, they are pure talent and heart, which is why I can never stay away from Grim Reaper for long. Grim Reaper's "See You In Hell" is their very first full LP debut which was recorded in late 1983. Even though it doesn't have the greatest sound production, the rawness and feeling is what really matters, it's the Reaper in their pure form. This album is definitely one of my favorite albums from the 80's along with Grim Reaper's 2 following albums. Nevermind those losers who don't appreciate true Heavy Metal and give this album a bad review, they're probably too busy listening to linkin park and/or slipknot, poser crap. None the less, if you love guitar solos and REAL Metal such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, then Grim Reaper is the band for you, and what a better start than this album. Nick Bowcott is one helluva talented guitarist who plays a very effect formula of rhythm guitar and lead solo (his solos are absolutely brilliant and genius!) Steve Grimmett can definitely hit those high notes exactly like Rob Halford, his voice is just awesome, killer singer. One of the things I like most about this band is that they can be classified not only as NWOBHM, but also as Fantasy Metal, especially while adapting the Grim Reaper as their mascot, totally killer. Highlights on this album include "See You In Hell", "Dead On Arrival", "Wrath of The Ripper", "Now Or Never", and "The Show Must Go On". To wrap things up, I highly recommend this record and Grim Reaper's other albums to any NWOBHM or 80's Heavy Metal fan who is loyal to REAL Metal. Classic Heavy Metal. Period.

Grim Reaper was one of the last of the NWOBM bands, and they were over shadowed by bands like Motorhead or Iron Maiden, but still a good band in their own right. Simply put, their sound had quality, good musicianship, and were heavy without resorting to noise and cookie monster vocals. The band was a little dark, but not emo deppressing "dark". If you like straight forward metal that is heavy and dark, but still maintains a listenable sound, and you don't give a flying **** about trends or fashion, then you will like this band. A true metal band that kicks ***

First off the five star rating is to offset the complete joke of reviews by some of the pop influenced MTV culture. The album deserves an honest 3 and 1/2 stars and is worth a listen for early 80's metal heads and those newbies wanting more N.W.O.B.H.M.

Grim Reaper are certainly not a band that will merit critical review in the same vein that a Nirvana or a Pearl Jam recieve credit. Nor are they deserving of such acclaim; however, that is not to say they were a complete waste of time either.

This album was recorded in 1983 originally on the small indie lable Ebony records. The fact they caught such attention and went on to moderate success in the U.S is a credit to their popularity and a testament to some decent material. The album is raw, in your face, no excuses early 80's metal.

There are several good tracks with the standout and staple being See You in Hell. Dead on Arrival, Liar and The Show Must Go On round out the other noteworthy tunes.

Bottom line- Early 80's raw metal heads will get it, appreciate it as a period work and enjoy for what it is. If you are of the nu-metal genre - stay away.

...actually Grim Reaper hit the scene about 2-3 years late, as glam was already starting its ascendancy and Metallica had just shown the world what America was going to do with all those NWOBHM influences in decline. Nonetheless, Grim Reaper's debut has good raw energy going for it, an overall very dark vibe with simplistic but rocking songs (title track, the thrashy, just-this-side-of-dangerously-evil closer "All Hell Let Loose"), a meandering but decent, low-key ballad ("The Show Must Go On") and good axe work from Nick Bowcott all around. Despite its low-budget sound the debut sold a decent amount and after finding success in England was licensed to RCA, hitting 73 on Billboard Top 100 and selling 250,000 copies before it was all over (according to Bowcott, sales from the 3 albums worldwide was in excess of half a million). So i'd bet more than one older one-star reviewer lurking out there still is still hiding it in their collection. Hey, if it gets lampooned by Beavis & Butthead, it *had* to have had some impact. The Spitfire reissue sounds pretty darn good, sporting remastered sound and liner notes from Nick Bowcott. Without bonus tracks, I feel it prudent to mention the two-fer reissue of "See You In Hell"/"Fear No Evil" might be better Grim Reaper for your dollar value, though I can't compare the sound quality of the first reissue with this one.

This was and still is the first heavy metal band the came from Europe. Beleive what you want to but this group took what KISS started and exploded with it onto the music WORLD!!! As for Nick's solos and his talented riffs throughout all three releases I beleive that yes they sound similar but no it's not that same over and over again. So if you don't like this style of metal the you can NOT by any means call yourself a true metal head...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A lot of the people here are forgetting one thing when they start comparing this interesting NWOBHM band to crappy hair metal like Spinal Tap (who, despite not being real, released a couple albums) and Poison: weren't "The Ripper" (Judas Priest), "Black Dog" (Led Zeppelin), anything by AC/DC, and "Sweet Child O'Mine" (Guns'n'Roses) cheesy? Besides having a heck of a singer (sounds like a cross between David Coverdale and Rob Halford), Grim Reaper also wrote some cool guitar riffs. Granted, I've only heard the sound samples on this site, but a lot of the criticism seems misplaced.

Grim Reaper is the GREATEST BAND EVER. See You In Hell is the greatest Album/Song I've ever heard. I just wish that they were more famous in the U.S. so I could worship them more than i already do. I'd reccomend this album to everyone, it is a classic. Grim Reaper is God.

SEE(...)YOU(...)In HELL!(...)