by Alex Henderson

One of the great underground death metal bands of the mid-'80s, Hellhammer never came close to reaching the pop mainstream. The brutally aggressive unit did attract a small but loyal cult following during its short life, and two of its three members -- lead singer Tom Gabriel Warrior and bassist Martin Ain -- went on enjoy greater visibility with Celtic Frost. Those who fancy Slayer, Testament or Metallica at their heaviest will find much to treasure on Apocalyptic Raids 1990 AD, a 1990 compilation spotlighting Hellhammer's 1984 work. Sledgehammer offerings like "Triumph of Death," "Revelations of Doom" and "Messiah" are quintessential death metal -- morbid, dark, pessimistic and unapologetically intense.