Death SS

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Death SS (later also intended as a contraction of In Death of Steve Sylvester) is an Italian heavy metal band formed in 1977. They have sometimes been described as "horror metal".

History

Death SS was formed in 1977 in Pesaro^[1] by Steve Sylvester (born Stefano Silvestri), a future member of Ordo Templi Orientis,^[2] and Paul Chain (Paolo Catena), who would later embrace an experimental form of doom metal with his solo project, Paul Chain Violet Theatre. Sylvester left the band in 1982 and Chain replaced him with Sanctis Ghoram (featured on the Evil Metal EP) before closing the project in 1984 to start his solo career. Sylvester reformed the band in 1988 (with him being the only original member). This new incarnation of the band recorded their first full-length album, ...in Death of Steve Sylvester. There would be many line-up changes in the years to come, with Sylvester once again being the only constant.

The album Panic was partially recorded in the US, with Neil Kernon as a producer, because the band liked his work for artists such as Queensrÿche, Judas Priest, Dokken, Nevermore, David Bowie, Rush and Skrew and had, according to Sylvester, "a particular touch in the dark side of Heavy Metal [...] that we were looking for". The band's management contacted Kernon, who accepted after listening to the band's demos of the new songs. The album was released in 2000 by Sylvester's own label, Lucifer Rising, and Dream Catcher.^[2]

Musical style and influence

Death SS combines elements of horror, occultism and metal to a style termed "horror metal" by AllMusic,^[1] and is also considered an influence on black metal.^[3] The band itself calls its music "horror music".^[4] Death SS is one of the sources of inspiration for the Swedish metal band Ghost.^[5]

Members

Current members

Steve Sylvester – lead vocals (1977–1982, 1988–2008, 2012–present)
Freddy Delirio – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1994–1996, 2005–2008, 2012–present)
Unam Talbot – drums (2022-present)
Demeter – bass (2022-present)
Ghiulz Borroni – guitars (2022-present)

Former members

Paul Chain – guitars, backing vocals, organ (1977–1984)
Claud Galley – rhythm guitar (1980–1981), bass (1981–1984)
Danny Hughes (Daniele Ugolini) – bass (1977–1978)
Danny Hughes (Gabriele Tommasini) – bass (1978–1981)
Tommy Chaste (Tommaso Castaldi) – drums (1977–1979)
Thomas Chaste (Franco Caforio) – drums (1979–1981)
Thomas "Hand" Chaste (Andrea Vianelli) – drums (1981–1984)
Sanctis Ghoram – lead vocals (1982–1984)
Kurt Templar – guitars, backing vocals (1987–1991)
Boris Hunter – drums (1987–1991)
Christian Wise – guitars, backing vocals (1987–1989)
Erik Landley – bass (1987–1989)
Kevin Reynolds – guitars, backing vocals (1989–1991)
Alberto Simonini – guitars, backing vocals (1989)
Marc Habey – bass, backing vocals (1989–1990)
Jason Minelli – guitars, backing vocals (1991–1994)
Maurizio Figliolia – guitars, backing vocals (1991)

Ross Lukather – drums (1991–1997, 2005)
Marcel Skirr – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1992–1993)
Al Priest – guitars, backing vocals (1991–1994)
Andy Barrington – bass, backing vocals (1990–1993)
Judas Kenton – bass, backing vocals (1994–1996)
Vincent Phibes – guitars, backing vocals (1994–1997)
Emil Bandera – guitars, backing vocals (1996–2006)
Oleg Smirnoff – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1997–2005)
Felix Moon – guitars, backing vocals (1994–1998)
Simon Garth (Nardo Lunardi) – guitars, backing vocals (1998)
Simon Garth (Ilario Danti) – guitars, backing vocals (1998)
Andrei Karloff – bass, backing vocals (1997–1999)
Kaiser Sose – bass, backing vocals (1999–2002)
Bob Daemon – bass, backing vocals (2002–2005)
Anton Chaney – drums (1997–2005)
Dave Simeone – drums (2006–2008)
Francis Thorn – guitars, backing vocals (2007–2008)
Bozo Wolff – drums (2012–2022)
Glenn Strange – bass, backing vocals (2005–2008, 2012–2022)
Al De Noble – guitars, backing vocals (2007–2008, 2012–2022)

Timeline

<timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18 PlotArea = left:95 bottom:95 top:0 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1977 till:04/23/2026 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1977 ScaleMajor = increment:4 start:1977 Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3

Colors =

id:vocals  value:red       legend:Vocals
id:guitar    value:teal     legend:Lead_guitar
id:rhythm  value:brightgreen  legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass    value:blue      legend:Bass
id:keys      value:purple   legend:Keyboards,_synthesizers
id:drums   value:orange    legend:Drums
id:backing  value:pink      legend:Backing_vocals
id:bars    value:gray(0.95)
id:studio   value:black     legend:Studio_album
id:other   value:gray(0.5) legend:Other_release

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =

at:02/01/1981 color:other layer:back
at:06/01/1982 color:other layer:back
at:11/01/1983 color:other layer:back
at:06/01/1988 color:black layer:back
at:06/01/1989 color:other layer:back
at:12/23/1989 color:black layer:back
at:12/02/1991 color:black layer:back
at:12/07/1997 color:black layer:back
at:06/05/2000 color:black layer:back
at:06/01/2001 color:other layer:back
at:06/01/2002 color:black layer:back
at:02/01/2006 color:black layer:back
at:12/21/2012 color:black layer:back
at:06/06/2013 color:black layer:back
at:12/11/2013 color:other layer:back
at:02/14/2014 color:other layer:back
at:10/29/2021 color:black layer:back
at:05/01/2025 color:black layer:back

BarData =

bar:Steve      text:"Steve Sylvester"
bar:Sanctis   text:"Sanctis Ghoram"
bar:Paul        text:"Paul Chain"
bar:Kurt        text:"Kurt Templar"
bar:Jason     text:"Jason Minelli"
bar:Vincent   text:"Vincent Philes"
bar:Emil        text:"Emil Bandera"
bar:Al            text:"Al De Noble"
bar:Ghiulz     text:Ghiulz Borroni
bar:Claud      text:"Claud Galley"
bar:Chris       text:"Christian Wise"
bar:Alberto   text:"Alberto Simonini"
bar:Kevin      text:"Kevin Reynolds"
bar:Maurizio text:"Maurizio Figliolia"
bar:Al2          text:"Al Priest"
bar:Felix        text:"Felix Moon"
bar:Simon     text:"Simon Garth"
bar:Danny     text:"Danny Hughes"
bar:Erik         text:"Erik Landley"
bar:Marc       text:"Marc Habey"
bar:Andy       text:"Andy Barrington"
bar:Judas      text:"Judas Kenton"
bar:Andrei     text:"Andrei Karloff"
bar:Kaiser     text:"Kaiser Sose"
bar:Bob         text:"Bob Daemon"
bar:Glenn      text:"Glenn Strange"
bar:Demeter    text:"Demeter"
bar:Marc2      text:"Marcel Skirr"
bar:Freddy    text:"Freddy Delirio"
bar:Oleg        text:"Oleg Smirnoff"
bar:Tommy    text:"Tommy Chaste"
bar:Boris       text:"Boris Hunter"
bar:Ross        text:"Ross Lukather"
bar:Anton      text:"Anton Chaney"
bar:Dave        text:"Dave Simeone"
bar:Bozo        text:"Bozo Wolff"
bar:Unam        text:Unam Talbot

PlotData =

width:11
bar:Steve      from:01/01/1977 till:11/01/1982  color:vocals
bar:Sanctis   from:11/01/1982 till:04/01/1984  color:vocals
bar:Steve      from:10/01/1987 till:07/27/2008  color:vocals
bar:Steve      from:10/01/2012 till:end  color:vocals
bar:Paul        from:01/01/1977 till:04/01/1984  color:guitar
bar:Paul        from:01/01/1977 till:04/01/1984  color:backing width:3
bar:Paul        from:01/01/1977 till:04/01/1984  color:keys width:7
bar:Kurt        from:10/01/1987 till:04/01/1991  color:guitar
bar:Kurt        from:10/01/1987 till:04/01/1991  color:backing width:3
bar:Jason     from:04/01/1991 till:06/01/1994  color:guitar
bar:Jason     from:04/01/1991 till:06/01/1994  color:backing width:3
bar:Vincent  from:06/01/1994 till:04/01/1997  color:guitar
bar:Vincent  from:06/01/1994 till:04/01/1997  color:backing width:3
bar:Emil       from:04/01/1997 till:08/01/2006  color:guitar
bar:Emil       from:04/01/1997 till:08/01/2006  color:backing width:3
bar:Al           from:03/01/2007 till:07/27/2008  color:guitar
bar:Al           from:03/01/2007 till:07/27/2008  color:backing width:3
bar:Al           from:10/01/2012 till:01/01/2022  color:guitar
bar:Al           from:10/01/2012 till:01/01/2022  color:backing width:3
bar:Ghiulz    from:01/01/2022 till:end color:guitar
bar:Claud     from:04/01/1980 till:06/01/1981  color:rhythm
bar:Claud     from:06/01/1981 till:04/01/1984  color:bass
bar:Chris      from:10/01/1987 till:06/01/1989  color:rhythm
bar:Chris      from:10/01/1987 till:06/01/1989  color:backing width:3
bar:Alberto   from:06/01/1989 till:09/01/1989  color:rhythm
bar:Alberto   from:06/01/1989 till:09/01/1989  color:backing width:3
bar:Kevin      from:09/01/1989 till:04/01/1991  color:rhythm
bar:Kevin      from:09/01/1989 till:04/01/1991  color:backing width:3
bar:Maurizio from:04/01/1991 till:07/01/1991  color:rhythm
bar:Maurizio from:04/01/1991 till:07/01/1991  color:backing width:3
bar:Al2          from:07/01/1991 till:06/01/1994  color:rhythm
bar:Al2          from:07/01/1991 till:06/01/1994  color:backing width:3
bar:Felix        from:06/01/1994 till:08/01/1998  color:rhythm
bar:Felix        from:06/01/1994 till:08/01/1998  color:backing width:3
bar:Simon     from:08/01/1998 till:11/01/1998  color:rhythm
bar:Simon     from:08/01/1998 till:11/01/1998  color:backing width:3
bar:Danny     from:01/01/1977 till:06/01/1981  color:bass
bar:Erik         from:10/01/1987 till:08/01/1989  color:bass
bar:Marc       from:08/01/1989 till:08/01/1990  color:bass
bar:Marc       from:08/01/1989 till:08/01/1990  color:backing width:3
bar:Andy       from:08/01/1990 till:09/01/1993  color:bass
bar:Andy       from:08/01/1990 till:09/01/1993  color:backing width:3
bar:Judas     from:02/01/1994 till:09/01/1996  color:bass
bar:Judas     from:02/01/1994 till:09/01/1996  color:backing width:3
bar:Andrei    from:03/01/1997 till:09/01/1999  color:bass
bar:Andrei    from:03/01/1997 till:09/01/1999  color:backing width:3
bar:Kaiser    from:09/01/1999 till:09/01/2002  color:bass
bar:Kaiser    from:09/01/1999 till:09/01/2002  color:backing width:3
bar:Bob        from:09/01/2002 till:04/01/2005  color:bass
bar:Bob        from:09/01/2002 till:04/01/2005  color:backing width:3
bar:Glenn     from:04/01/2005 till:07/27/2008  color:bass
bar:Glenn     from:04/01/2005 till:07/27/2008  color:backing width:3
bar:Demeter   from:01/01/2022 till:end color:bass
bar:Glenn     from:10/01/2012 till:01/01/2022 color:bass
bar:Glenn     from:10/01/2012 till:01/01/2022  color:backing width:3
bar:Marc2    from:04/01/1992 till:09/01/1993  color:keys
bar:Marc2    from:04/01/1992 till:09/01/1993  color:backing width:3
bar:Freddy   from:06/01/1994 till:09/01/1996  color:keys
bar:Freddy   from:06/01/1994 till:09/01/1996  color:backing width:3
bar:Oleg       from:03/01/1996 till:03/01/2005  color:keys
bar:Oleg       from:03/01/1996 till:03/01/2005  color:backing width:3
bar:Freddy   from:03/01/2005 till:07/27/2008  color:keys
bar:Freddy   from:03/01/2005 till:07/27/2008  color:backing width:3
bar:Freddy   from:10/01/2012 till:end  color:keys
bar:Freddy   from:10/01/2012 till:end  color:backing width:3
bar:Tommy   from:01/01/1977 till:04/01/1984  color:drums
bar:Boris      from:10/01/1987 till:07/01/1991  color:drums
bar:Ross       from:07/01/1991 till:12/25/1997  color:drums
bar:Anton     from:12/25/1997 till:04/01/2005  color:drums
bar:Ross       from:04/01/2005 till:09/01/2005  color:drums
bar:Dave       from:02/01/2006 till:07/27/2008  color:drums
bar:Bozo       from:10/01/2012 till:01/01/2022  color:drums
bar:Unam    from:01/01/2022 till:end color:drums
</timeline>

Discography

Albums

...in Death of Steve Sylvester (Discomagic/Metalmaster 1988)
Black Mass (Discomagic/Metalmaster 1989)
Heavy Demons (Contempo/Rosemary's Baby 1991)
Do What Thou Wilt (Lucifer Rising 1997)
Panic (Lucifer Rising 2000)
Humanomalies (Lucifer Rising 2002)
The Seventh Seal (Lucifer Rising/Black Widow Records 2006)
Resurrection (Lucifer Rising 2013)
Rock 'n' Roll Armageddon (Lucifer Rising 2018)^[6]
X (Lucifer Rising 2021)
The Entity (Lucifer Rising 2025)

Live albums

The Cursed Concert (Contempo 1992)
Il ritorno degli occulti (200 copies, Cursed Coven 1998)
Live 1990: The Complete Black Mass Show (200 copies, Cursed Coven 2006)
Live at I-Gods of Metal 2008 (CD/DVD, Live Global/Self 2009)
Beyond Resurrection (Lucifer Rising Records 2017)

Singles/EPs

The Horned God of the Witches (Demo EP 1981)
Evil Metal EP (Metal Eye Records 1983)
"Kings of Evil" (Metalmaster 1989)
"Vampire" (Metalmaster 1989)
"In the Darkness" (Metalmaster 1989)
Where Have You Gone? EP (Contempo 1991)
Straight to Hell EP (Contempo 1993)
The Cursed Singles boxset (Avantgarde Music 1995)
"Baron Samedi" (Lucifer Rising 1998)
"Scarlet Woman" (Lucifer Rising 1999)
"Hi-Tech Jesus" (Lucifer Rising 2000)
Lady of Babylon EP (Lucifer Rising 2000)
Let The Sabbath Begin 2 CD EP (Lucifer Rising 2001)
Transylvania (Lucifer Rising 2001)
"Pain" (Lucifer Rising 2003)
"Sinful Dove" (Lucifer Rising 2004)
"Give 'Em Hell" (Lucifer Rising 2005)
"Der Golem" (2013)
The Darkest Night EP (Lucifer Rising 2013)
"Ogre's Lullaby" (2013)
"Profanation" (2013)
"The Night of the Witch" (2013)
Eaters (2013)
"Dyonisus" (2014)
"The Crimson Shrine" (2016)
The 7th Seal Ep (2020)

Compilations

The Story of Death SS. 1977–1984 (Minotauro 1987)
Horror Music (Lucifer Rising 1996)
The Horned God of Witches (Lucifer Rising/Black Widow Records 2004)
Steve Sylvester – Friends of Hell (Cursed Coven 2006)
The Story of Death SS. 1977–1984 – Part Two (2008)
All the Colors of the Dark (2011)
Horror Music – Vol.2 – Singles, Outtakes & Rare Tracks – 1997-2007 (2014)
Rarities, Live & Outtakes – An Exclusive for the Cursed Coven (2019)
The Story of Death SS – Early Demos & Live Recordings 1977-1984 / The Horned God of the Witches (2019)
The Evil Singles – 1982 / 1997 (2020)
Special Eleventh (2022)
Horror Music Vol. 3 – B-Sides & Outtakes 2012-2022 (2023)

References

↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Yiva Asker: Death SS. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points Books 2011, p. 472ff.
↑ Emperor. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points Books 2011, p. 274.
↑ Jean: Death SS.
↑ Interview of a Nameless Ghoul by Loudwire, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XURdcV4ELcM
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Template:Authority control

[AMG-1] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[slayer14-2] Yiva Asker: Death SS. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points Books 2011, p. 472ff.

[3] Emperor. In: Jon Kristiansen: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries. Brooklyn, NY: Bazillion Points Books 2011, p. 274.

[4] Jean: Death SS.

[5] Interview of a Nameless Ghoul by Loudwire, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XURdcV4ELcM

[6] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

Death SS

Contents

History

Musical style and influence

Members

Timeline

Discography

Albums

Live albums

Singles/EPs

Compilations

References

External links

Navigation menu

Death SS

History

Musical style and influence

Members

Timeline

Discography

Albums

Live albums

Singles/EPs

Compilations

References

External links

Navigation menu

Search