Artist: RAISE HELL
Album: CITY OF THE DAMNED LTD. EDIT. (DIGI)

Year: 2006
Media type: CD

Much lauded Death Metal combo founded in 1995 as IN COLD BLOOD by vocalist / guitarist Jonas Hilsson, bass player Niklas Sjostrom and guitarist Torstein Wickberg. The following year drummer Dennis Ekdahl completed the rankings. The band, very much rooted in the Black Metal scene, were all still in their mid teens by the time the band was finalised leading to jibes about them being "the Death Metal HANSON".

In the summer of 1997 IN COLD BLOOD issued their only demo ‘Nailed’. A record company bidding war erupted, which included the Earache label, after which Germany’s Nuclear Blast emerged as the victors. However, at this point was an American Hardcore act of same title was discovered hence the name switch to RAISE HELL.

By the time 1998 debut ‘Holy Target’ arrived RAISE HELL’s average band member age was just 18. The record displayed a remarkable maturity for an act so young blending Death and Thrash Metal with unashamed anti-Christian lyrics. The group got straight into gear touring Europe to promote the album alongside DISMEMBER, AGATHODAIMON, NIGHT IN GALES and CHILDREN OF BODOM. During 1999 Niklas Sjostrom made time to session bass guitar on DARK EDEN's 'Winterland' demos. The 2000 album ‘Not Dead Yet’ found RAISE HELL manoeuvring away from their Black Metal roots.

Ekdahl also drums for SINS OF OMISSION and has credits also with MORK GRYNING and MYSTIC PROPHECY. The drummer would also feature on Progressive Metal band ATHELA's 'Spectral' demo and take up temporary residency with fellow Swedish Death Metal band BLOODSHED for touring in Finland during December of 2001.

RAISE HELL's October 2002 album 'Wicked Is My Game' saw production credits going to IN FLAMES vocalist Anders Friden and Frederik Reinedahl.

In February of 2003 Jonas Nilsson bowed out, being swiftly replaced by former DRIFTAWAY man Jimmy Fjдllendahl. RAISE HELL signed to Black Lodge Records in September of 2004. They entered Sheepvalley Productions in Stockholm during April 2005 to record their fourth album.

Tracklist:

01: Devils Station
02: City Of The Damned
03: Like Clowns We Crawl
04: Reapers Calling
05: Open Your Mind
06: Ghost I Carry
07: My Shadow
08: To The Gallows
09: I
10: Rising

Line-Up:

Jonas Nilsson (vocals/ guitar)
Torstein Wickberg (guitar)
Niklas Sjostrom (bass)
Dennis Ekdahl (drums)

Discography:

Holy Target, 1998 (Nuclear Blast)
Not Dead Yet, 2000 (Nuclear Blast)
Wicked Is My Game, 2002 (Nuclear Blast)
To The Gallows 7”, 2006 (Black Lodge)
City Of The Damned, 2006 (Black Lodge)