HORROR HISTORY
DEATH SS formed in Italy in 1977, by Steve Sylvester and Paul Chain.
One of the very first bands (along with Saint Vitus of America and Witchfinder General of England) to play music directly inspired by the original Black Sabbath - playing occult heavy metal in the slow way at a time when punk was beginning to hit.
Steve and Paul worshipped the devil, Steve was the leader of a local Satanic sect, and Paul it's high priest. DEATH SS was to be the voice, the soundtrack to their Satanic message. DEATH SS stuck to their ground despite trends and limited popularity albeit a loyal following (known as The Cursed Coven!) until the original line-ups disintergration during 1982, with Paul Chain losing an eye during a magic ritual and Steve wanting to further his esoteric studies. The band would reform shortly after the split, Sanctis Ghoram of I Vulcani replacing Sylvester for the classic 'Evil Metal' 7" but this was shortly lived, with Paul leaving Satanism, changing the name of the band to Violet Theatre and making a name for himself as one of the most innovative musicans to come out of doom metal.
The involvment in the occult and black magic was recklessly incorporated it into their 'grand guignol' stage show (in tribute to Black Widow, who had a magical live show of their own in the early years) with crosses and tombstone heads robbed from local graves, naked girls, blood, skulls and raw meat thrown into the auidence, and each member taking their own stage persona within the band - Steve became The Vampire, Paul was Death, Danny Hughes (missing presumed dead) was The Mummy, Claud Galley is The Zombie, and Thomas Hand Chaste as The Werewolf.
DEATH SS would reform again in 1988 with Steve Sylvester back with new members and the excellent debuts 'In Death of Steve Silvester' and 'Black Mass', keeping the early heavy doom spirit of the first line-up alive with an updated sound. After 'Heavy Demons' of 1991, the original Chain-Galley-Chaste-Sylvester line-up came together for the last time(?) on Steve Sylvester's two fantastic classic doom metal solo albums of the mid-90's, 'Free Man' and 'Mad Messiah'. DEATH SS continued under numerous line-ups and changes in musical direction, but always under the banner of HORROR MUSIC.
After 30 years of Horror Music, DEATH SS will be put on hold.
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There have been several compilations of early DEATH SS material featuring the early line-ups - 'The Story of Death SS - 1977-1984', Horror Music: The Best of Death SS', and 'The Horned God of the Witches'.
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Paul Chain is currently recording as Paul Cat.
Thomas Hand Chaste is involved with an esoteric doom metal band, Witchfield.
Steve Sylvester will contributes guest vocals to Witchfield's debut album 'Sleepless'.
Danny Huhges and Claud Galley are no longer involved with music.
Sanctis Ghoram sadly died from cancer in 2004.
