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News : Australian heavy metal pioneer, Peter Hobbs has passed away.

By on October 22, 2019
Photo: Metal Down Under

Peter Hobbs, the legendary Australian heavy metal pioneer of Hobbs Angel of Death and ex-Tyrus fame has passed away at the age of 58. Hobbs became synonymous with the Australian thrash metal movement during the 1980s with his unique blend of thrash metal and what Peter Hobbs described as “virgin metal”. A pure form of heavy metal music.

Hobbs began his heavy metal career in Tyrus, a four-piece thrash metal band formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1984. The band quickly grew to fame, performing a slew of shows in Melbourne and around the country with the likes of Mortal Sin and Bengal Tigers. Eventually releasing a four-track demo in 1986 with the first three tracks ‘Bubonic Plague’, ‘Crucifixion’ and ‘Cold Steel Warm Death’ (later titled ‘Cold Steel’ as a bonus track) appearing on the debut Hobbs’ Angel of Death album in 1988.

The debut Hobbs Angel of Death album garnered overwhelming support and success from fans and media from across the globe, thanks to an inked record deal with German music label Steamhammer Records. In 1995 the band released their second studio album ‘Inheritence‘, an Australian only release limited to roughly 1000 copies which unfortunately did not meet the same success as the debut album. Soon after, Hobbs Angel of Death disbanded.

In 2002, Peter Hobbs reformed the band, releasing a compilation titled ‘Satan’s Crusade‘ which featured early demos and was distributed through Modern Invasion Music. During this time Hobbs Angel of Death performed at Wacken Open Air.

Fast forward to 2011 wherein Hobbs would return to the live scene to support US thrash icons Forbidden in Sydney on their Australian tour and perform a small number of live local shows before jetting back to Europe to tour extensively throughout 2012 and 2013. In 2014, Hobbs would appear on Metal Down Under, a documentary directed by Nick Calpakdjian, featuring interviews and archive footage which traces the origins of heavy metal music in Australia.

In 2016, Hobbs Angel of Death released their last studio album ‘Heaven Bled‘. In the years that followed Hobbs Angel of Death continued to perform live shows, including the band’s last ever show in Sydney at Steel Assassins Festival in 2018.

Social media has been ablaze within the last 24 hours with overwhelming support and positivity from fans and band members, past and present in celebrating the life of Peter Hobbs.

Everyone at Metal Obsession wishes to thank Peter Hobbs for the amazing music and live shows he has brought us over the years. Our condolences to the family and friends of Peter Hobbs.

About

Anwar is the editor-in-chief of Metal Obsession.net. When Anwar isn't busy promoting tours, interviewing bands and reviewing awesome music, he loves to collect metal vinyl and play video games. Follow Metal Obsession on Twitter and Facebook