Hammer (12)

NWOBHM band from Cleveland, England formed in 1982 as [a=Holland (8)] and renamed in 1984 to [a=Hammer (12)]. The band name was changed to [a=Hammer (12)] following issues with a North American band also called Holland. The band signed to NWOBHM label Ebony Records in 1983 and released their first album as Holland entitled Early Warning in 1984. Early Warning was the No.1 album in the Melody Maker heavy metal charts during the first month of release. The band released a second album, Contract With Hell as Hammer in 1985 which was also on Ebony Records. The band parted company with guitarist Kenny Nicholson in early 1985 and brought in former Lazy Dog and Treason man Arty Fixter. Several demos with the new line up were recorded but Ebony decided not to take up their option to release a third album. The band called it a day in 1986 though they reformed with original guitarist Nicholson for a one-off reunion performance at BroFest 2 in 2015.