List of Holy Moses members

Holy Moses is a German thrash metal band from Aachen. Formed in October 1980, the group was originally a trio consisting of guitarist and vocalist Jochen Fünders, bassist Ramon Brüssler, and drummer Peter Vonderstein. After a string of early lineup changes, the band settled on its first consistent lineup in December 1981 with the addition of vocalist Sabina Hirtz (later Classen), alongside guitarist Andy Classen, Brüssler and drummer Paul Linzenich. The current lineup of Holy Moses includes Sabina Classen, bassist Thomas Neitsch (since 2008), drummer Gerd Lücking (since 2011) and guitarist Peter Geltat (since 2012).

Holy Moses performing in 2018

History

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1980–1986

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Holy Moses was formed on 17 October 1980 by Jochen Fünders, Ramon Brüssler and Peter Vonderstein.[1] The original trio debuted with the demo Black Metal Masters before the end of the year.[2] Shortly after a show on 17 October 1981 to mark the band's first anniversary, Fünders was replaced by vocalist Wolfgang "Iggy" Dammers and guitarist Andy Classen (after a brief tenure for a Belgian guitarist called Jean-Claude), while Vonderstein also made way for Paul Linzenich.[3] The new lineup released a self-titled second demo, before Dammers was replaced by Classen's girlfriend Sabina Hirtz on 3 December 1981.[4] Three more demos followed (Satan's Angel, Call of the Demon and Heavy Metal), and Hirtz and Classen married in late 1983,[5] before Linzenich left at the beginning of 1984 to return to university.[6] When Sabina also briefly left, she introduced the band to her brother Tom and his drummer bandmate, who took over from the departed members for "about four weeks" before Brüssler asked Hirtz to leave due to stylistic differences.[6]

 
Sabina Classen (then Hirtz) has been the lead singer of Holy Moses since December 1981.

When Sabina initially declined a return to Holy Moses, the band briefly worked with another female singer (known by Sabina's recollection as "Katrin or Katja"), before Sabina returned and the band brought in new drummer Jörg "Snake" Heins.[6] The new lineup recorded demos Death Bells and Walpurgisnight, before Heins was forced by his parents to leave the group to focus on his university studies. He was replaced in November 1985 by Herbert Dreger, who debuted on The Bitch demo recorded at the end of the year.[7] The band signed with producer Ralph Hubert's AAARRGG Records in February 1986 and subsequently recorded their debut full-length album Queen of Siam, which was released that spring.[8] Shortly after the album was recorded, Dreger was fired after attending a Whitesnake show on the same night as a planned support slot for Agent Steel.[9]

1986–1994

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Dreger was replaced in July 1986 by 19-year-old Uli Kusch.[8] In September, founding bassist and band manager Ramon Büssler left the band, with Andre Chapelier taking his place by November.[8] The new lineup released Finished with the Dogs in July 1987, at which pointed Georgie Symbos was brought in as a temporary second guitarist.[10] By September, just before a European tour, Holy Moses had lost Chapelier after a dispute between him and producer Ralph Hubert, replaced by Johan Susant for the rest of the year.[10]

After the 1987 run of shows was over, touring members Symbos and Susant left Holy Moses.[10] The band returned early the next year with new members Thilo Hermann on guitar and Thomas Becker on bass, who performed on the band's next album The New Machine of Liechtenstein.[11] After the album's recording, however, Hermann decided to return to his previous band; the group began rehearsing with cover art designer Rainer Laws, who became an official member early the following year.[12] By January 1990, however, Laws had decided to leave on the eve of a tour to focus on his design work, after initially being unavailable due to illness.[13] The group remained a four-piece.[13]

In May 1990 the band released World Chaos, which marked the last contributions of Becker and Kusch. They were replaced for tour dates starting in June by Benny "Speed" Schnell and Guido "Atomic Steif" Richter, respectively.[13] Terminal Terror followed in 1991, before Sven "Meff" Herwig replaced Steif in 1992 for the recording of Reborn Dogs.[14] For 1994's No Matter What's the Cause, former Anthrax bassist Dan Lilker replaced Schnell.[14] Shortly after the album's release, Holy Moses disbanded.[15]

Since 2000

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After a six-year absence, Holy Moses was reformed in late 2000 by Sabina Classen without Andy.[16] With guitarists Jörn Schubert and Franky Brotz, drummer Julien Schmidt, and founding member Jochen Fünders on bass, the band released the EP Master of Disaster in 2001, before Fünders left due to family commitments and was replaced by Andreas Libera.[15] The band's eighth full-length album Disorder of the Order followed in 2002, before Schubert was replaced by Michael Hankel in the summer.[17] By mid-2003, Libera had been replaced by Alex De Blanco.[18] The new lineup released Strength Power Will Passion in 2005, before De Blanco and Schmidt were replaced that summer by Robert "Ozzy" Freese and Asgard Niels, respectively.[19] Hankel also became the band's sole guitarist at the same time.[20]

Drummer Guido "Atomic Steif" Richter rejoined Holy Moses in February 2007 after a brief tenure in the early 1990s.

In July 2006, Freese was forced to step back from Holy Moses due to being "reportedly very ill".[21] The next month, the band announced that he would return after a stay in a psychiatric hospital, during which time their live performances would feature programmed bass, as several potential replacements were unable to take over.[22] Later in the year, Oliver Jaath took over from Freese.[4] Before the end of 2006, Niels decided to leave Holy Moses due to "personal differences as well as totally different perspectives in musical progress".[23] He was replaced in February 2007 by returning drummer Atomic Steif.[24] The new lineup began working on material for Agony of Death, which was completed with new bassist Thomas Neitsch who was officially added in May 2008, with Jaath switching to guitar.[25] Steif remained until July 2011, when he was replaced by Gerd Lücking.[26]

After the completion of their 11th studio album 30th Anniversary: In the Power of Now, Hankel left Holy Moses in March 2012 due to "personal reasons" and was replaced by Peter Geltat, who had featured on the recording.[27] Geltat became the band's only guitarist the following autumn, when Jaath departed before the recording of Redefined Mayhem.[28][29]

Members

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Current

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Sabina Classen-Hirtz
  • 1981–1984
  • 1984–1994
  • 2000–present
lead vocals all Holy Moses releases from Satan's Angel (1982) onwards
Thomas Neitsch 2008–present
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Agony of Death (2008)
  • 30th Anniversary: In the Power of Now (2012)
  • Redefined Mayhem (2014)
Gerd Lücking 2011–present drums
  • 30th Anniversary: In the Power of Now (2012)
  • Redefined Mayhem (2014)
Peter Geltat 2012–present
  • guitar
  • backing vocals

Former

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Ramon Brüssler 1980–1986 bass all Holy Moses releases from Black Metal Masters (1980) to Queen of Siam (1986)
Jochen Fünders
  • 1980–1981
  • 2000–2001
  • vocals
  • guitar
  • bass
  • Black Metal Masters (1980)
  • Master of Disaster (2001)
Peter Vonderstein 1980–1981 drums Black Metal Masters (1980)
Paul Linzenich 1981–1984 all Holy Moses releases from Holy Moses (1981) to Heavy Metal (1983)
Wolfgang "Iggy" Dammers 1981 lead vocals Holy Moses (1981)
Andy Classen 1981–1994
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
all Holy Moses releases from Holy Moses (1981) to Disorder of the Order (2002)
Unknown drummer 1984 drums none
Tom Hirtz lead vocals
Unknown vocalist
Jörg "Snake" Heins 1984–1985 drums
  • Death Bells (1984)
  • Walpurgisnight (1985)
Herbert Dreger 1985–1986 (died 2012)
Uli Kusch 1986–1990
  • drums
  • backing vocals
all Holy Moses releases from Finished with the Dogs (1987) to World Chaos (1990)
Andre Chapelier 1986–1987 bass
  • Finished with the Dogs (1987)
  • Road Crew (1987)
Georgie Symbos 1987 (touring) guitar none
Johan Susant bass
Thomas Becker 1988–1990
Thilo Hermann 1988 guitar The New Machine of Liechtenstein (1989)
Rainer Laws 1989–1990 none
Benny "Speed" Schnell 1990–1993 bass
Guido "Atomic Steif" Richter
  • 1990–1992
  • 2007–2011
drums
  • Terminal Terror (1991)
  • Agony of Death (2008)
Sven "Meff" Herwig 1992–1994
Dan Lilker 1993–1994
  • bass
  • piano
No Matter What's the Cause (1994)
Franky Brotz 2000–2005 guitar
Julien Schmidt drums
Jörn Schubert 2000–2002 guitar
  • Master of Disaster (2001)
  • Disorder of the Order (2002)
Andreas Libera 2001–2003 bass Disorder of the Order (2002)
Michael "Michi" Hankel 2002–2012
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Strength Power Will Passion (2005)
  • Agony of Death (2008)
  • 30th Anniversary: In the Power of Now (2012)
Alex De Blanco 2003–2005 bass Strength Power Will Passion (2005)
Asgard Niels 2005–2006 drums none
Robert "Ozzy" Freese bass
Oliver "Olli" Jaath 2006–2013
  • bass (until 2008)
  • guitar (from 2008)
  • backing vocals
  • Agony of Death (2008)
  • 30th Anniversary: In the Power of Now (2012)

Timeline

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Lineups

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Period Members Releases
October 1980 – October 1981
  • Jochen Fünders – vocals, guitar
  • Ramon Brüssler – bass
  • Peter Vonderstein – drums
  • Black Metal Masters (1980)
October – November 1981
  • Iggy Dammers – vocals
  • Jean-Claude – guitar
  • Ramon Brüssler – bass
  • Paul Linzenich – drums
none
November – December 1981
  • Iggy Dammers – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ramon Brüssler – bass
  • Paul Linzenich – drums
  • Holy Moses (1981)
December 1981 – early 1984
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ramon Brüssler – bass
  • Paul Linzenich – drums
  • Satan's Angel (1982)
  • Call of the Demon (1983)
  • Heavy Metal (1983)
Early 1984
  • Tom Hirtz – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ramon Brüssler – bass
  • Unknown drummer – drums
none
Spring 1984
  • Unknown vocalist – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ramon Brüssler – bass
  • Unknown drummer – drums
Spring 1984 – fall 1985
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ramon Brüssler – bass
  • Jörg "Snake" Heins – drums
  • Death Bells (1984)
  • Walpurgisnight (1985)
November 1985 – May 1986
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ramon Brüssler – bass
  • Herbert Dreger – drums
July – September 1986
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ramon Brüssler – bass
  • Uli Kusch – drums, backing vocals
none
November 1986 – July 1987
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Andre Chapelier – bass
  • Uli Kusch – drums, backing vocals
July – September 1987
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • George Symbos – guitar (touring)
  • Andre Chapelier – bass
  • Uli Kusch – drums, backing vocals
none
September – December 1987
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • George Symbos – guitar (touring)
  • Johan Susant – bass (touring)
  • Uli Kusch – drums, backing vocals
Early – November 1988
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Thilo Hermann – guitar
  • Thomas Becker – bass
  • Uli Kusch – drums, backing vocals
Early 1989 – January 1990
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Rainer Laws – guitar
  • Thomas Becker – bass
  • Uli Kusch – drums, backing vocals
none
January – spring 1990
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Thomas Becker – bass
  • Uli Kusch – drums, backing vocals
  • World Chaos (1990)
1990–1992
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Benny Schnell – bass
  • Atomic Steif – drums
1992–1993
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Benny Schnell – bass
  • Sven Herwig – drums
1993–1994
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Andy Classen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dan Lilker – bass, piano
  • Sven Herwig – drums
Band inactive late 1994 – late 2000
Late 2000 – early 2001
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Jörn Schubert – guitar
  • Franky Brotz – guitar
  • Jochen Fünders – bass, guitar, vocals
  • Julien Schmidt – drums
  • Master of Disaster (2001)
Spring 2001 – summer 2002
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Franky Brotz – guitar
  • Jörn Schubert – guitar
  • Andreas Libera – bass
  • Julien Schmidt – drums
  • Disorder of the Order (2002)
Summer 2002 – mid-2003
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Franky Brotz – guitar
  • Michael Hankel – guitar, backing vocals
  • Andreas Libera – bass
  • Julien Schmidt – drums
none
Mid-2003 – summer 2005
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Franky Brotz – guitar
  • Michael Hankel – guitar, backing vocals
  • Alex De Blanco – bass
  • Julien Schmidt – drums
Summer 2005 – July 2006
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Michael Hankel – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ozzy Freese – bass
  • Asgard Niels – drums
none
Summer 2006
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Michael Hankel – guitar, backing vocals
  • Asgard Niels – drums
Fall – late 2006
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Michael Hankel – guitar, backing vocals
  • Oliver Jaath – bass, backing vocals
  • Asgard Niels – drums
February 2007 – May 2008
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Michael Hankel – guitar, backing vocals
  • Oliver Jaath – bass, backing vocals
  • Atomic Steif – drums
May 2008 – July 2011
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Michael Hankel – guitar, backing vocals
  • Oliver Jaath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Thomas Neitsch – bass, backing vocals
  • Atomic Steif – drums
July 2011 – March 2012
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Michael Hankel – guitar, backing vocals
  • Oliver Jaath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Thomas Neitsch – bass, backing vocals
  • Gerd Lücking – drums
  • 30th Anniversary: In the Power of Now (2012)
March 2012 – fall 2013
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Oliver Jaath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Peter Geltat – guitar, backing vocals
  • Thomas Neitsch – bass, backing vocals
  • Gerd Lücking – drums
none
Fall 2013 – present
  • Sabina Classen – lead vocals
  • Peter Geltat – guitar, backing vocals
  • Thomas Neitsch – bass, backing vocals
  • Gerd Lücking – drums
  • Redefined Mayhem (2014)

References

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  1. ^ "Der Anfang... ohne Sabina und Andy... von Holy Moses: 1980" (in German). Holy Moses. Archived from the original on 10 April 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  2. ^ Diamond Oz. (27 April 2014). "Sunday Old School: Holy Moses". Metal Underground. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Der Anfang... ohne Sabina und Andy... von Holy Moses: 1981" (in German). Holy Moses. Archived from the original on 10 April 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b Cannella, Tony (14 July 2012). "Interview: Sabina Classen & Olli Jaath – Holy Moses". Femme Metal Webzine. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Der Anfang... ohne Sabina und Andy... von Holy Moses: 1983" (in German). Holy Moses. Archived from the original on 27 March 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Der Anfang... ohne Sabina und Andy... von Holy Moses: 1984" (in German). Holy Moses. Archived from the original on 27 March 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Der Anfang... ohne Sabina und Andy... von Holy Moses: 1985" (in German). Holy Moses. Archived from the original on 27 March 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Der Anfang... ohne Sabina und Andy... von Holy Moses: 1986" (in German). Holy Moses. Archived from the original on 27 March 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Herbert Dreger Bio". Drummerszone. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  10. ^ a b c "Der Anfang... ohne Sabina und Andy... von Holy Moses: 1987" (in German). Holy Moses. Archived from the original on 13 April 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Der Anfang... ohne Sabina und Andy... von Holy Moses: 1988" (in German). Holy Moses. Archived from the original on 8 April 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Der Anfang... ohne Sabina und Andy... von Holy Moses: 1989" (in German). Holy Moses. Archived from the original on 27 March 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  13. ^ a b c "Der Anfang... ohne Sabina und Andy... von Holy Moses: 1990" (in German). Holy Moses. Archived from the original on 27 March 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Holy Moses – Details Of No Matter What's The Cause Re-Release Revealed". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 24 April 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Holy Moses Interview". MetalKings.com. June 2002. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  16. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Holy Moses: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  17. ^ Dalakos, Michael (28 April 2005). "Interview with Sabina Classen from Holy Moses". Metal Temple. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Holy Moses Rockdetector Biography". Wizard. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  19. ^ "Holy Moses Introduce New Members". Blabbermouth.net. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  20. ^ Terminal Terror (Reissue) (Media notes). Holy Moses. Armageddon Music. 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ "Holy Moses Bassist Forced To Sit Out Upcoming Dates". Blabbermouth.net. 5 July 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  22. ^ "Holy Moses Bassist Checks Into Psychiatric Hospital". Blabbermouth.net. 26 August 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  23. ^ "Holy Moses drummer explains departure from band". Drummerszone. 11 February 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  24. ^ "Drummer Atomic Steif Rejoins Holy Moses". Blabbermouth.net. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  25. ^ "Holy Moses Announces New Bassist". Blabbermouth.net. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Holy Moses Recording 30th Anniversary Album". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  27. ^ "Holy Moses Parts Ways With Guitarist, Announces Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  28. ^ "Holy Moses To Release 'Redefined Mayhem' In April". Blabbermouth.net. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  29. ^ "Holy Moses Return With New Studio Album". Zero Tolerance Magazine. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
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