I am selling my 28+ year collection of Records. As an avid collector, my items have been properly handled, played and stored over the years. The rating system I use to grade the condition of my items are strictly according to Tim Neely's “Goldmine” Standards. Check out my other auctions, I have Hundreds more coming every Sunday!

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Hellhammer ?– Apocalyptic Raids

Label: Metal Blade Records ?– MBR 1028, Metal Blade Records ?– MBR-1028

Format: Vinyl, 12", 33 ? RPM, EP

Country: US

Released: 1984

Notes: Released with a lyric sheet, included. On this press, The catalog # appears as MBR 1028 on the back of the sleeve, and MBR-1028 on the labels.

Condition: Vinyl VG++ – Cover VG+

Tracklist

A1

The Third Of The Storms (Evoked Damnation)

2:45

A2

Massacra

2:48

B1

Triumph Of Death

6:23

B2

Horus / Aggressor

5:02

Most "who was first?" arguments centering around black metal tend to focus on the exact point that the form went from "proto"-BM to actual, 100% BM in and of itself. Temporal primacy is obviously a key consideration there, but beyond that it's not as simple as stating that Venom were first just because they named a 1982 album Black Metal (although I'm willing to entertain the idea that the opening riff of side 2 closer "Don't Burn the Witch" singlehandedly invented Slayer).

One angle that is too infrequently dwelt upon is the fact that we wouldn't even be talking about a genre called black metal at all today if it weren't for the bands that made up the "second wave", so really it's only fitting that we allow those later Scandinavians to retroactively plot their own family tree.

Second wave BM really only came into its own as it shed its rock & roll heritage altogether; there's just too much of that residual NWOBHM/Motorhead "boogie" in those early Venom and Mercyful Fate LPs to rank them as more than precursors to a sound that would later be stripped down to the frame and de-Anglicized by Bathory and Mayhem. For that reason Bathory's eponymous 1984 debut is often cited as the true genesis of the "classic" black metal sound, but not so fast: there's another legit contender to be dealt with…

Switzerland's Hellhammer had a busy 1983, releasing three demos in the lead up to their '84 EP Apocalyptic Raids. The bulk of those demos – compiled in 2008 on the 2CD Demon Entrails - consists of reworks/fine tuning of the six tunes that would make up the EP, but one can see the basic formula in place on even the earliest of those demos.

The drums on "The Third of the Storms" halt short of full on blast beats, being rather the same sort of aggressive compromise between d-beat and speed punk (ie. Motorhead) rhythms that Venom cut their teeth on. "Horus/Aggressor" and "Revelations of Doom" also betray strong percussive debts to Venom, but where things really get interesting is in the almost free-form, undertow inducing chords, overdriven to within an inch of their lives and seething low with runaway current like a live wire.

There is precious little of the frenzied tremolo picking that would come to characterize Norwegian black metal, but the mix of unorthodox whole notes and often rudderless song structure – like a free jazz version of Sabbath – was a pretty radical break with anything else that was going on in mid-80s metal at the time (Tom Warrior's hammer ons come off as sheer mockery of the type of shredding that was popular with contemporary glam guitarists). This shit wasn't necessarily fast, but in March 1984 there damn sure wasn't anything heavier.

Jeremy Ulrey

Tim Neely's “Goldmine” Standard:

Mint (M) Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed.(More on still sealed under "Other Considerations"). Should be used sparingly as a grade, If at all.

Near Mint (NM or M-) A nearly perfect record. The record should show no obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like. Basically, an LP in near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.

Very Good Plus (VG+) A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK". The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. In general, if not for a couple things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.

Very Good (VG) Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.

Good (G), Good Plus (G+) Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white). A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. It is a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But, if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it...but keep looking to upgrade.