Hammerhedd
{{Short description|American thrash metal band}}
{{Distinguish|text = the noise rock band Hammerhead}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = group_or_band
| name = Hammerhedd
| image =
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| origin = Prairie Village, Kansas
| genre = Indie rock, electronic rock, American rock
| years_active = 2012–present
| label =
| current_members =
- Abe Ismert
- Eli Ismert
- Henry Ismert
| website = {{URL|https://hammerhedd.com/}}
}}
Hammerhedd is an American rock band from Prairie Village, Kansas.{{cite news |last1=Senter |first1=Jay |title=Prairie Village brothers get shout out from Metallica for spot-on cover of metal classics |url=https://shawneemissionpost.com/2016/09/21/prairie-village-brothers-get-shout-out-from-metallica-for-spot-on-cover-of-metal-classics-55033/ |access-date=7 March 2023 |work=Shawnee Mission Post |date=21 September 2016}} It was formed in 2012 by brothers Abe, Eli, and Henry Ismert, and the trio gained notability for the talent they showcased at a young age.{{cite news |last1=Trapp |first1=Philip |title=Talented Kid Band Hammerhedd Crushes Metallica’s ‘Eye of the Beholder’ on the Street |url=https://loudwire.com/metallica-kid-band-cover-hammerhedd-video/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Loudwire |date=2 December 2022 |language=en}}
History
Hammerhedd was formed in 2012 by guitarist Henry Ismert, drummer Eli Ismert, and bassist Abe Ismert. The brothers were aged 9, 7, and 4 respectively.{{cite news |last1=Keenan |first1=Hesher |title=Hammerhedd's Latest Single "Fruition" Proves They're More Talented Than Most People Were Their Age |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/11/10/hammerhedds-latest-single-fruition-proves-theyre-more-talented-than-most-people-were-their-age/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=MetalSucks |date=10 November 2022 |language=en}} The members are largely self taught and managed by their mother. In 2016, a video of the band playing covers of Metallica songs went viral.{{cite news |last1=Scapelliti |first1=Christopher |title=Three Kids Play Flawless Metallica Medley, Get Thumbs Up from Band |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/viral-videos/three-kids-play-flawless-metallica-medley-get-thumbs-band/29829 |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Guitar World |date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123054921/http://www.guitarworld.com:80/viral-videos/three-kids-play-flawless-metallica-medley-get-thumbs-band/29829 |archive-date=23 January 2017}} Impressed with the young age of the trio, Metallica publicly reposted the video. The band subsequently turned down requests to perform on America's Got Talent and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.{{cite news |last1=Gutierrez |first1=Lisa |title=Meet Hammerhedd, the kid metal band that became a sensation playing Metallica |url=https://www.thestate.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article102865127.html |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=The State |date=20 September 2016}}
In 2018, the band released their debut EP Essence of Iron.{{cite web |title=Get to know the Band: Hammerhedd |url=https://www.artintheloop.com/2018/08/10/get-to-know-the-band-hammerhedd/ |website=Art in the Loop |access-date=15 January 2023 |date=10 August 2018}} That October, they were offered a record deal by Attila frontman Chris Fronzak.{{cite news |title=Attila's Chris Fronzak Offers Teenage Metal Band Hammerhedd A Record… |url=https://www.kerrang.com/attilas-chris-fronzak-offers-teenage-metal-band-hammerhedd-a-record-deal-on-twitter |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Kerrang! |date=2 October 2018 |language=en}} In 2021, they released the LP Grand Currents, which was distributed by The Orchard.{{cite news |title=Fraternal Metal Trio HAMMERHEDD Announce Worldwide Release for Debut LP 'Grand Currents' |url=https://www.thegauntlet.com/article/86124/37798/fraternal-metal-trio-hammerhedd-announce-worldwide-release-for-debut-lp-grand-currents |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=The Gauntlet |date=24 March 2021}} They subsequently released music videos for the singles "Foundation" and "Sediment".{{cite news |last1=Kennelty |first1=Greg |title=HAMMERHEDD Out-Plays And Out-Riffs Us All On New Song "Foundation" |url=https://metalinjection.net/video/hammerhedd-out-plays-and-out-riffs-us-all-on-new-song-foundation |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Metal Injection |date=6 April 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Westbrook |first1=Corinne |title=Teen Metal Sensation HAMMERHEDD Drop Punishing New Video "Sediment" |url=https://metalinjection.net/video/hammerhedd-drop-punishing-new-video-sediments |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Metal Injection |date=9 July 2021}}
In 2022, Hammerhedd was on tour with Swedish metal band In Flames. They released three singles, "Tunnel", "Fruition" and “Pioneer To Be”.{{cite news |title=HAMMERHEDD Release Visualizer Video for New Single 'Fruition' |url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/news/hammerhedd-release-new-single-fruition/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Sonic Perspectives |date=10 November 2022}}{{cite web |title=Hammerhedd Premiere "Pioneer To Be" Music Video, New Album Due "Nonetheless" Due In February |url=https://www.theprp.com/2023/01/19/news/hammerhedd-premiere-pioneer-to-be-music-video-new-album-due-nonetheless-due-in-february/ |website=Theprp |access-date=29 January 2023 |date=20 January 2023}} The songs appeared on their sophomore LP Nonetheless, released on February 24, 2023.{{cite web |last1=Keenan |first1=Hesher |title=Hammerhedd Go Animated with Their Music Video for "Nonetheless" |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2023/02/24/hammerhedd-go-animated-with-their-music-video-for-nonetheless/ |website=MetalSucks |access-date=7 March 2023 |language=en |date=24 February 2023}} In February 2024, the band independently released their third album Not Important.{{cite news |last1=Yablon |first1=Elise |title=New & Noteworthy: The Other Side of Releases – 2/23/2024 |url=https://metalinsider.net/columns/new-noteworthy-columns/new-noteworthy-the-other-side-of-releases-2-23-2024 |access-date=25 August 2024 |work=Metal Insider |agency=metalinsider.net |date=26 February 2024}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
- Grand Currents (2020)
- Nonetheless (2023)
- Not Important (2024)
= Extended plays =
- Essence of Iron (2018)