Grim Reaper was a British heavy metal band from the NWOBHM style and era. T… Read Full Bio ↴Grim Reaper was a British heavy metal band from the NWOBHM style and era. The band was formed in 1979 in Droitwich, England, by Nick Bowcott.

They were signed to Darryl Johnston's Ebony Records and their debut was "See You in Hell". The album, with cover design by Garry Sharpe-Young, was released in 1984 and was distributed worldwide through RCA Records. Grim Reaper soon became readily identifiable with Bowcott's skillful guitar work and singer Steve Grimmett's not-always-quite-on-key banshee screams. Their successful world tour included a support shot at Texxas Jam playing to over 20,000 people. Their follow-up, 1985's "Fear No Evil" showed improvement on the production front and also enjoyed moderate success in both the U.S. and Europe.

Legal battles with Ebony delayed the release of the band's third album "Rock You to Hell" by almost 2 years. The album was released directly through RCA in 1987, again with a Garry Sharpe-Young cover design. However, by this time Grim Reaper's melodic power metal sound had fallen out of favor as much of the metal market moved toward heavier fare like Thrash metal and Speed metal. Even the major label distribution and popular video for the title track could not save the band. With production on their fourth album (reportedly to be called "Nothing Whatsoever to do with Hell") about to start, another round of legal action from Ebony effectively dealt the death blow to Grim Reaper.

Grimmett went on to front Onslaught and Lionsheart, as well as perform on several tribute albums. Bowcott became a freelance music writer and later staff contributor for publications like Circus and Guitar World. Bowcott also worked with Marshall Amplifiers' U.S. division.

Their 1985 video for "Fear No Evil", in which the band fights an evil wolfman and frees his slaves, was re-used by Weezer in 2005 as the video for their single We Are All On Drugs. Many Gen Xers may remember them as one of Beavis and Butt-head's least favorite bands.

In 2006 Eddie Trunk announced on Metal Mania that the band has reformed.

Grim Reaper "original" line up (without Nick Bowcott) played Keep It True VI festival in Lauda-Königshoffen the 08th April 2006. Steve Grimmet reformed the band under the name Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper.

Current members

* Steve Grimmett - lead vocals (1979-1981, 1981-1988, 2006-present)
* Ian Nash - guitars (1979,2006-present)
* Chaz Grimaldi - bass (2008-present)
* Pete Newdeck - drums (1979-1981, 2006-present)

Former members

* Nick Bowcott - guitars (1979-1988)
* Dave Wanklin - bass (1981-1987)
* Geoff Curtis - bass (1987 - 1988)
* Lee Harris - drums (1982-1984)
* Mark Simon - drums (1984 - 1988)
* Kevin Neale - bass (1979-1981)
* Adrian Jacques - drums (1981-1982)
* Paul DeMercado - lead vocals (1981)
* Richie Walker - bass (1979,2006-2008)
* Philip Matthews - bass (1981)

Studio albums

* See You in Hell (1983)
* Fear No Evil (1985)
* Rock You to Hell (1987)
* Walking in the Shadows (2016)

Singles

* See You in Hell (1984)
* The Show Must Go On (1984)
* The show must go on (USA promotion) (1984)
* Fear No Evil (1985)
* Lust for freedom (1987)
* Rock You to Hell (1987)

Demos

* Bleed 'em Dry (1981)
* For Demonstration Only (1982)
* All Hell Let Loose (Tour Promo) (1984)

Best of/Compilations

* Best of Grim Reaper (1999)

* The song "See You In Hell" was used by Bam Margera for part of the soundtrack of amateur stunt/prank/skateboarding video "CKY4".

* Their 1985 video for "Fear No Evil", in which the band fights an evil wolf man and frees his slaves, was reused by mainstream rock band Weezer in 2005 as the video for their single "We Are All on Drugs".

* Three of their videos, "See You In Hell", "Fear No Evil", and "Rock You To Hell" were featured on the TV show Beavis and Butt-head, where the band (particularly Steve Grimmett) was ridiculed mercilessly.

Never Coming Back
Grim Reaper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I couldn't believe when you turned around to me
And told me what you had done
You tricked me, told me more of your lies
You lead me on and I thought it was good
All you friends were talking at me
I said you fools but I was the one
So I'm getting up and going from here
Just like I knew you would

And I'm never coming back
I'm leaving here for sure
And I'm never coming back
I'm leaving here for sure

Now what's done is done
Don't come crawling to me
I've had enough
Live your life on your own
You took my love and threw it around you
Drained me of all that I had
Now we won't try it again
I think it's left well alone
Now I hope you're satisfied
You blew it away
Oh baby it's so good

And I'm never coming back
I'm leaving here for sure

And I'm never coming back
I'm leaving here for sure

Overall Meaning

The Grim Reaper's song "Never Coming Back" is about a person who has been betrayed by a lover who goes back on their promises and tells lies. The first stanza of the song sheds light on the betrayal the singer has faced: "I couldn't believe when you turned around to me / And told me what you had done / You tricked me, told me more of your lies / You lead me on and I thought it was good."

The singer's trust in their lover is broken, and they become aware of the fact that all their friends were right about the relationship: "All your friends were talking at me / I said you fools but I was the one." The singer acknowledges their mistake, and decides to leave the relationship, just as they knew they would.

In the second stanza, the singer is firm in their decision of leaving the relationship and never coming back: "Now what's done is done / Don't come crawling to me / I've had enough / Live your life on your own." The singer believes that their lover took advantage of their love and that they do not want to try again. They have learnt their lesson and believe that it is better to leave it alone: "Now we won't try it again / I think it's left well alone / Now I hope you're satisfied / You blew it away."

Overall, the song talks about the pain that betrayal can cause, but also reminds the listener that it is important to draw boundaries and stand up for oneself when necessary.

Line by Line Meaning

I couldn't believe when you turned around to me
I was shocked when you finally admitted the truth to me

And told me what you had done
You confessed your deceitful actions to me

You tricked me, told me more of your lies
You fooled and deceived me with your continuous lies

You lead me on and I thought it was good
You made me believe that everything was okay, but it wasn't

All your friends were talking at me
Your friends were gossiping and talking behind my back

I said you fools but I was the one
I criticized your friends for their behavior, but I was the naive one

So I'm getting up and going from here
I'm leaving this place and moving on

Just like I knew you would
I expected you to be disloyal and cause me pain

Now what's done is done
We can't change the past

Don't come crawling to me
Don't try to come back to me asking for forgiveness

I've had enough
I'm tired of being hurt and disappointed by you