US, Listenable Records
— Classification: NON–EXCLUSIVE || Territory: EUROPE || Booking: Daniel at killtowntourbookings@gmail.com
Hellwitch arose from the depths of hell in October 1984. The first official studio demo, ‘Transgressive Sentience’, was recorded in January 1986. Taken from this recording was a remixed version of the track ‘Torture Chamber’ which appeared on the compilation album ‘Thrash Metal Attack’, released by New Renaissance Records in July of 1987. The band’s second studio demo, ‘Mordirivial Disemanation’, was released in June of 1987.
In July of 1988 Pat relocated to Fort Lauderdale and reformed HELLWITCH, drafting Frank Watkins on bass and Steve Rincon on drums. This trio recorded a three track rehearsal/demo in March of 1989. This effort included a cover version of DEATH’s ‘Archangel’. This line up was the band’s weakest, so new members were sought in mid 1989. Pat then enrolled bassist Jesse Trevino and Joe “Witch” Schnessel on drums. That June, Flight 19 Records (Switzerland) issued two cuts from the ‘Mordirivial Disemanation’ demo as a limited edition 7″. That August, Trevino was replaced by bassist Tommy Mouser. October of 1989 brought about a contract with Wild Rags Rec. for the debut album ‘Syzygial Miscreancy’, recorded at the renown Morrisound Studios with veteran Thrash producer Scott Burns. Released in March 1990 the album sold strongly and made a sizable impact on the international underground Metal media.
In 2005 HELLWITCH cut a new promotional CD, featuring Pat Ranieri, JP Brown, Craig Shattuck and Joe Schnessel. The promo CD was comprised of tracks ‘Final Approach’ and ‘Epitome of Disgrace’, (both originally found on the ‘Final Approach’ CD) and two new songs ‘Opiatic Luminance’ and ‘Mythologicalies’. This CD would lead the band to sign a deal with Spanish label Xtreem Music in February 2006 for the release of their long awaited sophomore album ‘Omnipotent Convocation’.
With the existing line up from 2005’s ‘Epitome of Disgrace’ promo, Hellwitch began recording in mid 2008. It took much longer than expected, spanning over 9 months. This sophmore album marked the second coming for HELLWITCH. At the same time the band’s debut album was being re-reissued along with all their pre-‘Syzygial…” demos through Displeased Rec. and in 2015 with the “Terraasymmetry” EP on the band’s own Seismic Slaughter Records and again with various bonus material in 2018 through VIC Records (Holland) and Poizon Records (Ukraine).
The second full length CD, ‘Omnipotent Convocation’, came out in August 2009 on Xtreem Music. This album marked the second coming of HELLWITCH. The debut of Brutal Brian Wilson, on drums came at the NYDM Spring Bash in Wisconsin alongside Whiplash, Midnight and many others. With Brian behind the kit, the band hit the studio in August and recorded 2 new songs with veteran producer Dennis Munoz (Solstice, Demolition Hammer). By November the band was on the road again doing a headlining tour of the Midwest.
2017 saw the release of the 30th Anniversary, 10-LP (!) box set on Germany’s IRON BONEHEAD Records. This was another milestone for the band and has sold out. Currently, the newest HELLWITCH album, ANNIHILATIONAL INTERCENTION on Listenable Records, released in 2023 has received no less than an 8/10 based on 40+ (!) reviews. This new aural expedition features 9 songs that create an incomprehensible meteoric maelstrom. Jason Flippo joined in ’23 on bass and the line up is now the strongest in the band’s history.
HELLWITCH is prepared to bring you down into the fiery pits and keep you there for eternity! Witness the rise of The Witch! 666!