Location: New Jersey
Active: 1983 – 1987
When horror punk trailblazers the Misfits called it quits in 1983, Samhain was already cooking in the back of singer Glenn Danzig’s mind. Although they still maintained the horror aesthetic, Samhain was notably darker with an emphasis on the occult. The tempo was less thrash, a late-era direction that lead to the Misfits ultimate demise with their Earth AD album. Songs from the Misfits era were revisited, like Archangel which was penned by Glenn intended for Dave Vanian of The Damned; Halloween and Horror Business were also given the new sonic treatment.
The band began as the project of Glenn Danzig and Eerie Von. They recruited Minor Threat’s Lyle Preslar and Brian Baker initially, but Al Pike of Reagan Youth and Steve Zing became involved, later replaced by London May. Pete ‘Damien’ Marshall was the guitar player on the Unholy Passion EP and second album November Coming Fire, but in 1986 left, joining The Braineaters. The third and final Samhain album wasn’t released until after Danzig embarked on his solo career relocating to California. Eerie Von remained on bass, Danzig also brought recently recruited former D.O.A. drummer Chuck Biscuits (also Black Flag, Circle Jerks) on drums. The final guitar player for Samhain, John Christ also remained as Danzig’s guitar player for many years.
Related: Misfits, Danzig, The Braineaters, Minor Threat, Reagan Youth, The Damned, Glenn Danzig, Damian, Eerie Von, Chuck Biscuits, Pete Damien Marshall, Steve Zing, London May, Al Pike, Lyle Preslar, New Jersey
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