Hellion are an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, originally featuring vocalist Ann Boleyn, guitarist Ray Schenck, bassist Peyton Tuthill, and drummer Sean Kelley. Originally a cover band performing songs by Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, and AC/DC, Hellion quickly established itself within the underground metal scene with a unique blend of heavy riffs, occult-themed lyrics, and a fierce female-fronted lineup, an anomaly in the early ‘80s metal landscape.
The band’s earliest performances—dubbed “Mega-Parties”—took place in a haunted mansion in Tujunga, California, occupied by Boleyn. There, they recorded a homemade demo that earned attention from both underground and mainstream music press. In late 1982, punk label Mystic Records approached them to include “Nightmares in Daylight” on a compilation. Just before the session, bassist Peyton Tuthill quit due to Boleyn’s involvement in occult practices—an element that would remain a central and controversial theme in Hellion’s lyrics. After a brief stint with bassist Rik Fox, Brian West filled in for the recording.
Hellion’s early 1983 debut single through Mystic Records featured a cover of Deep Purple’s “Black Night” and their original “Driving Hard.” Despite positive reception, they declined a full contract with Mystic. Instead, they founded their own label, Bongus Lodus Records, and released their self-titled 12-inch, which quickly charted on UK import lists in Kerrang!, Sounds, and Aardschok magazines. Their subsequent deal with Music for Nations led to the release of the Hellion Mini-LP in 1984, which hit No. 6 on the UK rock charts and was voted the No. 2 EP of the year in Kerrang!. That same year, Hellion drew the attention of Ronnie James Dio, who, alongside his wife Wendy Dio and business partner Curt Lorraine, offered to produce and manage the band. Under Dio’s guidance, Hellion entered Sound City Studios with engineer Angelo Arcuri to record new material, including the radio hit “Run for Your Life” released on Roadrunner Records. They performed alongside Dio, Whitesnake, W.A.S.P., and Rough Cutt, yet still failed to secure a major U.S. deal. Hellion returned to the UK to perform at London’s iconic Marquee Club and later toured Europe. The band was also scheduled to co-headline with Hanoi Rocks, but the tour was canceled following the tragic death of Hanoi Rocks’ drummer, Razzle.
In a shocking turn in 1985, Boleyn was fired by her bandmates and replaced by male vocalist Richard Parrico, with the band rebranding as Burn. After legal threats, Boleyn retained the Hellion name and assembled a new lineup with guitarist Chet Thompson, bassist Alex Campbell, and ex-Dokken drummer Greg Pecka. Shortly thereafter, she was dropped from Niji Management. Undeterred, Boleyn spearheaded recording efforts at Brian Elliot Studios and Total Access Studios with producer Ken Scott. These sessions were disrupted by personal issues between Scott and his wife, the band’s manager, Patience Scott.
Following the setbacks, Boleyn founded her own label, New Renaissance Records, which not only released Hellion’s full-length debut Screams in the Night, but also became a crucial launchpad for extreme metal pioneers including Sepultura, Bathory, Morbid Angel, and Flotsam & Jetsam. A video for “Bad Attitude” became one of the first by a female-fronted metal band to air on MTV, VH1, and Sky Channel—a milestone shared only with the Plasmatics at the time.
Despite their growing acclaim, the “Mark II” lineup of Hellion collapsed under internal disputes over musical direction. Ann’s return to the studio in 1987 with former members from the original lineup resulted in the Postcards from the Asylum EP, which released in 1988. The EP featured standout tracks like their Judas Priest cover “Exciter” and fan-favorite “The Evil One,” both receiving significant radio play.
By 1990, Hellion became the first American band to tour the former USSR, performing at the Monsters of Rock festival and supporting Russian metal act Kruiz. Around this time, they began recording their second studio album, The Black Book, envisioned as a multimedia project to be accompanied by a novel written by Boleyn. The project was delayed after Enigma Records folded shortly after signing the band. Its U.S. release was ultimately handled by Medusa Records, though issues with quality and delays shelved the book deal and stalled promotional plans. With the grunge movement and the collapse of Headbangers Ball, Hellion entered a long hiatus. Compounding the situation were serious safety threats directed at Boleyn, including a stalking incident and the criminal conviction of the band’s former manager James Paul Jr., who was charged in a murder-for-hire plot and with attempting to break into Boleyn’s home.
Boleyn embarked on a solo tour of Japan in 2002, and Hellion resurfaced in 2003 with Will Not Go Quietly, recorded at Talon Studio and released in Germany via Massacre Records. By 2004, Hellion went on another hiatus, as Boleyn went to law school. She would return in 2008, and by 2013, Boleyn would announce a new era of Hellion, entering Total Access Studios with a new lineup including Simon Wright, Bjorn Englen, and Maxxxwell Carlisle. The band signed to Cherry Red Records and released To Hellion and Back (a two-disc anthology) in 2014, followed by the EP Karma’s a Bitch, their first new material in over a decade. A North American tour followed, with a lineup including Greg Smith, Scott Warren, and Georg Dolivo joining Boleyn on stage.
Today, Hellion continues to be led by the indomitable Ann Boleyn—vocalist, label owner, marathon runner, and trailblazer for women in metal. Boleyn earned degrees in Germanic languages and law, while Chet Thompson pursued psychology, and Alex Campbell contributed to the design of a life-saving pacemaker. Former band member Teddy Days died on July 10, 2013, at the age of 48. His time in the band was brief, only lasting from 1990 until 1991. With an enduring legacy of fierce independence and a refusal to conform, Hellion remains one of the most unique and influential bands to emerge from the L.A. metal underground.
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There are at least three other artists that have gone by the name "Hellion" over the years.
1) - Hellion from WA is a heavy metal band, they released just one demo in 1982 called 'You're Not Welcome Here. Most of their line-up was later involved in various Pentagram related projects, like Death Row, Bedemon, Chained Lace, and Pentagram itself.
2) - Hellion is a hard rock band from New York, USA, that was formed in 1981. They released, 'Dangerous Maneuvers in 1984 on Stampede Recording Co. After the band split up some members went on to form Melidian.
3) - Hellion is a heavy metal group hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, established in 1982. Their musical journey included the release of a demo in 1983 and a self-titled album in 1984. Despite disbanding in 1985, Hellion reunited on July 13, 2013, for a special commemorative performance marking the 30th anniversary of their debut album. Notably, they had previously shared the stage with Barón Rojo in 1984. The reunion event showcased guest appearances from Ian, Devenir, and Alakran, bands fronted by former Hellion vocalist Mario Ian post-1985. The reformation proved successful, with the original members performing together throughout 2013 and into 2014. Mario Ian departed from Hellion in the same year, with Javier Barrozo taking over as vocalist from 2014 to 2016. In 2016, David Born, formerly of Almatica, assumed lead vocalist duties, alongside Sergio Belizan on bass, and original members Marcelo Michel on guitar and Ricky Medina on drums.
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…shrink me down again