The band began in 1985 as a solo project for ex-Tyrus guitarist Peter Hobbs, with the help of ex-Nothing Sacred members Mark Woolley (guitar), Sham (drums) and Karl Lean (bass), who recorded a number of demos which attracted interest from overseas labels. Hobbs' debut self-titled album was released in 1988 through German record label Steamhammer Records, which achieved a great deal of success in Europe. A second album, Inheritance was released in 1995, but failed to repeat the success of its predecessor and was an Australia-only release. Hobbs' Angel of Death broke up soon after the release the album.
In 2002, Peter Hobbs put the band back together and released a compilation album of his two early demos, and the band played a European tour including an appearance at Wacken Festival, and shows with German thrash legends Destruction and black metallers Mayhem. This has been the strongest point of the band's career so far.
Although playing traditional style thrash metal, Hobbs has often described his band's sound as "virgin metal", stating his sound as a pure style of music. The band ended in 2019 due to the passing of founder Peter Hobbs.
House of Death
Hobbs' Angel of Death Lyrics
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Chandeliers of skulls and forearms to the air they do decay
Structures of limbs line the ceiling of this infested tomb
Ruins of life lay dormant in their open graves
[Chorus:]
On the tablet it is carved
What you are, we once were
Bone engulfed the caskets in which more bodies lie
Still clutching the crucifix for protection
As they will enter the valley of death
Cries from the dead can still be heard
As Lucifer strikes at the soul
The small narrow line between the gates
That separates heaven from hell
[Chorus]
What you are, we once were
A monument of life
Now what we are, you will become to live amongst the dead
No blood will flow, our bones will rot, we lie dormant in our graves
Decaying limbs collecting dust
The smell of death, stale odour lingers through the air
Uncovered tombs of rotting bones show us of our future
Time is here - prepare to die and live amongst dead
Our corpses will rot
No blood will flow in the house of death
The song "House of Death" by Hobbs Angel of Death takes us on a macabre journey through a tomb filled with decaying bones, structures of limbs, and ruins of life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a place where death reigns supreme, and the souls of the departed cling to their crucifixes for protection. The chorus is particularly haunting, as it reminds us that we too will become like those who lie in the house of death. The smell of death permeates the air as we are forced to confront our mortality and the inevitability of our own decay.
The lyrics highlight the thin line that separates heaven from hell, and the image of Lucifer striking at the soul is particularly chilling. The song is a stark reminder of our mortality and the fact that we will all eventually become like the lifeless corpses in the tomb. The use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a truly unsettling atmosphere, and the song is a testament to the power of heavy metal to explore dark and unsettling themes.
Line by Line Meaning
The cold walls surround the uncovered rotting bones
The walls of this place are cold and uncaring, and they close in on the remains of those who were not properly laid to rest.
Chandeliers of skulls and forearms to the air they do decay
The remains of previous occupants are put on display here like grotesque decorations, with bones hanging from the ceiling and rotting limbs scattered about.
Structures of limbs line the ceiling of this infested tomb
The remains of countless others decorate the ceiling, twisted into macabre formations that give the sense that the entire place is alive with death and decay.
Ruins of life lay dormant in their open graves
The graves here are open and empty, with the remains of those long gone having rotted away to nothing, leaving only the empty shell of their final resting place.
On the tablet it is carved
What you are, we once were
Now what we are you will become in the house of death
Written on a tablet here is a message, reminding those who would dare to enter that the fate of all who come here is sealed: just as the previous occupants of this place became nothing more than dust and bones, so too will those who try to escape it.
Bone engulfed the caskets in which more bodies lie
Still clutching the crucifix for protection
As they will enter the valley of death
Cries from the dead can still be heard
As Lucifer strikes at the soul
The small narrow line between the gates
That separates heaven from hell
Those who have already succumbed to death's embrace are still held here, trapped in their final resting places and still hearing the torments that await the living who would enter this tomb of horrors. The line between life and death, between light and dark, is thin here, and Lucifer himself seems to be waiting for those who would foolishly brave the house of death.
A monument of life
Now what we are, you will become to live amongst the dead
No blood will flow, our bones will rot, we lie dormant in our graves
Decaying limbs collecting dust
Where once there were vibrant, living people, now there are only bones and dust. All who come here to this house of death will find themselves amongst the remains of those who went before, slowly joining their ranks as they too succumb to the curse of this place.
The smell of death, stale odour lingers through the air
Uncovered tombs of rotting bones show us of our future
Time is here - prepare to die and live amongst dead
Our corpses will rot
No blood will flow in the house of death
A foul, sickening smell pervades this place, and the remains of those who came before paint a grim picture of what awaits all who enter. As the air chokes with the stench of death, those who still live would do well to leave this place before they too become yet another set of bones, lying forever dormant in their graves within the house of death.
Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.