Origin: Scotland
Genres: NWOBHM
official site

Holocaust  


Holocaust is truly one of the stalwarts of the NWOBHM era, as their debut album, The Nightcomers, featuring the anthemic "Heavy Metal Mania" and the classic "Death Or Glory", remains an all-time NWOBHM classic. But the popularity of the band (quite high during those early days) was short-lived, and internal friction between the band members developed. The band disintegrated in 1983, with John Mortimer retaining the band name and fellow guitarist Ed Dudley formed a more melodic band called Hologram, which released one album before fading away. Mortimer then reformed Holocaust and, with little fanfare, released No Man's Land, somewhat of a lost album, and not Holocaust at its best. The band once again disappeared, presumably for good.

Several years later, however, Mortimer and drummer Steve Cowen resurrected the Holocaust name with a new lineup and somewhat of a new musical progression. Starting with Sound Of Souls, the band has become more and eclectic, with a style that marries the best of their early NWOBHM energy with progressive and non-metal influences, creating one of the most original sounds in metal. Really a brilliant band, and highly recommended to those looking for something different and unique. Moreover, with a lot of NWOBHM bands either sticking to their old style (or reforming just to cash in on old glories), it's great to see a band like Holocaust both embrace the past and venture forth with new ideas in metal.

In 2003 a new album, Primal, was released, featuring Mortimer and three newcomers to the band. Though arguably less progressive and adventurous than the past few releases (and clearly heavier), the trademark Holocaust sound remains intact. Mortimer's ability to craft songs clearly rooted in metal and yet with a sound unlike any other is remarkable. Primal is a clear Top 10 album of 2003, another stellar release from a band with a storied history.

Current Members

John Mortimer

guitars/vocals

John McCullim

guitars

Bryan Bartley

bass

Ron Levine

drums

Former Members/Guests

Gary Lettice

vocals

Ed Dudley

guitars (Hologram)

Iain McKenzie

guitars

Robin Begg

bass

Graham Hall

bass

David Rosie

bass

Graham Cowen

bass

Paul Collins

drums

Raymond Marciano

drums (Hologram)

Nicky Arkless

drums

Steve Cowen

drums


Discography


The Nightcomers 
1981 Phoenix
  1. Smokin' valves
  2. Death or glory
  3. Come on back
  4. Mavrock
  5. It don't matter to me
  6. Cryin' shame
  7. Heavy metal mania
  8. Push it around
  9. The Nightcomers
  • Gary Lettice
  • John Mortimer
  • Ed Dudley
  • Robin Begg
  • Paul Collins
1981 BNR Top Ten album



(EP) Heavy Metal Mania 
1981 Phoenix
  1. Heavy metal mania
  2. Loves power
  3. Only as young as you feel
  • Gary Lettice
  • John Mortimer
  • Ed Dudley
  • Robin Begg
  • Paul Collins



(EP) Comin' Through 
1982 Phoenix
  1. Coming through
  2. Don't wanna be
  3. Good thing going
  • Gary Lettice
  • Ed Dudley
  • Robin Begg
  • Raymond Marciano



Live (Hot Curry And Wine)  LIVE
1983 Phoenix
  1. No nonsense
  2. Smokin' valves
  3. Long the bell will toll
  4. Jirmakenyerut
  5. The Small hours
  6. Forcedown breakdown
  7. Heavy metal mania
  8. The Nightcomers
  • Gary Lettice
  • John Mortimer
  • Ed Dudley
  • Robin Begg
  • Nicky Arkless



No Man's Land 
1984 Phoenix
  1. No Man's Land
  2. We Will Rock And We Will Roll
  3. No Time Left
  4. Let's Go
  5. On The Ropes
  6. Satellite City
  7. Power Play
  8. By The Waterside
  9. Missing Presumed Dead
  10. Alone
  11. Here Come The Good Times
  • John Mortimer
  • Steve Cowen



The Sound Of Souls 
1989 Chrome
  1. This Annihilation
  2. I Smash The Void
  3. Dance Into The Vortex
  4. Curious
  5. Three Ways To Die
  • John Mortimer
  • Graham Hall
  • Steve Cowen
1989 BNR Top Ten album



Hypnosis Of Birds 
1992 Taurus Moon
  1. Into Lebanon
  2. The Small Hours
  3. Hypnosis Of Birds
  4. The Tower
  5. Book Of Seasons
  6. Mercier & Camier
  7. Summertides
  8. Mortal Mother
  9. Cairnpapple Hill
  10. In The Dark Places Of The Earth
  11. Caledonia
  • John Mortimer
  • David Rosie
  • Steve Cowen
1992 BNR Top Ten album



Spirits Fly 
1996 Neat
  1. Into Lebanon
  2. The Small Hours
  3. Hypnosis Of Birds
  4. The Tower
  5. Book Of Seasons
  6. Mercier & Camier
  7. Summertides
  8. Mortal Mother
  9. Cairnpapple Hill
  10. In The Dark Places Of The Earth
  11. Caledonia
  12. Heavy Metal Mania
  13. Death & Glory
  14. Master Of Puppets
  • John Mortimer
  • David Rosie
  • Steve Cowen



Covenant 
1997 Neat
  1. Leper's Progress
  2. Salt Heart
  3. Return To Dust
  4. Paradox
  5. The Battle Of Soaring Woodhelven
  6. Valley Of Megiddo
  7. Mount Thunder
  8. We Shall Him As He Is
  9. Alexander
  10. The Infinite
  11. Absent Friend
  • John Mortimer
  • David Rosie
  • Steve Cowen
1997 BNR Top Ten album



The Courage To Be 
2000 Neat
  1. The Collective
  2. A Gentleman's Penny
  3. Farthing
  4. Neurosis
  5. When Penelope Dreams Pt. 1
  6. When Penelope Dreans Pt. 2
  7. From The Mine Shaft To The Bike Shed
  8. Fundamentalist
  9. Spanner Omlette
  10. Home From Home
  11. The Age Of Reason
  • John Mortimer
  • Iain McKenzie
  • Graham Cowen
  • Steve Cowen
2000 BNR Top Ten album



Smokin' Valves: The Anthology  COMPILATION
2003 Sanctuary
  1. Heavy Metal Mania
  2. Only As Young As You Feel
  3. Death Or Glory
  4. Push It Around
  5. Mavrock
  6. The Nightcomers
  7. Lovin' Feelin' Danger
  8. Forcedown Breakdown
  9. Coming Through
  10. Smokin' Valves
  11. Long The Bell Will Toll
  12. The Small Hours
  13. No Man's Land
  14. We Will Rock And We Will Roll
  15. Here Come The Good Times
  16. Mortal Mother
  17. The Tower
  18. Master Of Puppets
  19. Leper's Progress
  20. Return To Dust
  21. Mount Thunder
  22. We Shall See Him As He Is
  23. The Collective
  24. Fundamentalist
  25. Spanner Omlette
  26. The Age Of Reason
  27. Close window



Primal 
2003 Edgy
  1. Iron Will
  2. Black Box
  3. Hell On Earth
  4. Transcendence
  5. Fools (Bring On The Light)
  6. Made Righteous
  7. It's Your Dream
  8. They Colonize
  9. Colossus
  10. Lost Horizons
  • John Mortimer
  • John McCullim
  • Bryan Bartley
  • Ron Levine
2003 BNR Top Ten album


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