We were about to post the just released Japanese reissue on SHM-CD of GRIM REAPER‘s debut album, 1983’s “See You In Hell“, and then read the sad news: the band’s frontman Steve Grimmett died suddenly & unexpectedly yesterday, aged 62. This serves as fitting tribute to ‘the man with the piercing head voice’ (RIP).
GRIM REAPER’s story begins in 1979 after successfully fighting off hundreds of bands in a local Battle Of The Bands competition. This win, combined with an already sizeable following, aroused the interest of Ebony Records. Signing with the small U.K. label, GRIM REAPER released three albums in rapid succession to international acclaim. Due to legal turmoil with Ebony, the original GRIM REAPER would disband in 1988. Grimmett would go on to record with ONSLAUGHT, LIONSHEART and more recently THE SANITY DAYS. His renowned vocal range remains one of metal’s most identifiable from the NWoBHM era.
“See You In Hell” deserved this pristine SHM-CD: over the years there has been poor sounding reissues. Additionally, songs like ‘The Show Must Go On’ were cut at the end. Here we find the original versions, plus a the original LP front/back artwork replica.
Part of the new wave of British heavy metal, GRIM REAPER formed in Worcestershire in 1979 and Grimmett joined in 1982, replacing Paul de Mercado on vocals. Grimmett cited Elton John as an unlikely inspiration and “the reason I sing”. He also referenced David Coverdale, Dio and Judas Priest’s Rob Halford as influences.
Grimmett would become the only constant member of the band during their two stints together, until 1988 and then again from 2006 to 2022 as ‘Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper’.
GRIM REAPER released their debut album, ”See You in Hell”, in 1983, distributed by RCA. It worked very well in Europe & Japan, as well as reached No 73 in the US Billboard album chart, where appeared in 1984.
‘Dead on Arrival’ had me for a while as my favorite track but ‘Liar’ is indeed the best-written track being both in your face and memorable. It still sends shivers on the back of my neck when I hear it to this day. ‘Wrath of the Ripper’ is probably better known for its chorus rather than its verse, which is good yet nothing special.
‘Now or Never’ has a great ’80s heavy riff that works well with the overall structure of the song, then ‘Run for your Life’ has a cool intro and verse that has a melodic feel to it.
With ‘The Show Must Go On’ the band proves they weren’t a one trick pony: this midpaced tune has an almost hard rock / pop atmosphere and progressive at the same time. The LP end with the metallic ‘All Hell Let Loose’ arguably one of the better written songs here. It has a top-notch speedy riff together with vocals to make your ears bleed. When combined it forms a no thrills classic metal stomp.
GRIM REAPER’s “See You In Hell” is far from perfect, but has ‘that magic’… that ’80s magic when metal was ‘real metal’, that urgency, a band hungry to rock hard. Recorded in only 4 days, “See You In Hell” shows its budget, but its freshness at the same time.
This Japanese SHM-CD is the best version we ever heard. R.I.P. Steve Grimmett.
Ｍａｒｑｕｅｅ ／ Ａｖａｌｏｎ ２５ｔｈ Ａｎｎｉｖｅｒｓａｒｙ
【ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】 MICP～30163
01 – See You In Hell
02 – Dead On Arrival
03 – Liar
04 – Wrath Of The Ripper
05 – Now Or Never
06 – Run For Your Life
07 – The Show Must Go On
08 – All Hell Let Loose
Steve Grimmett – vocals
Nick Bowcott – guitar
Dave Wanklin – bass
Lee Harris – drums