Hellgrimm - Singing the dark, lighting up the night

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Hellgrimm is a power trio forged in 2018 that delves into the darkness of addictions, death, and demons with stories based in fiction and fact. Nostalgia for 1970s - 80s stadium rock weaves through this gut punch of sonic wizardry. The music conjures spells of destruction and salvation and fights and woos demons, physical and psychological, along the way. Their rhythmic melodies are punctuated by haunting solos and a piercing voice gives hope that there may be paths out of the darkness. 

Writer/guitarist Jerry Connor and drummer/singer Erica Missey lead the charge of this sonic triumvirate. Hellgrimm has the aid of talented bassists George Ortiz, Adrian Cavazos, Joseph Quinones, and Joshua Pechawer when they hit the stage.   

Hellgrimm played at Comic FEST! Cabo Rojo in Puerto Rico on July 15 & 16, 2023, and hopped the pond in March, 2023, to support the legendary NWOBHM trailblazers Raven on their "All for One" Album 40th Anniversary Tour in the UK for nine shows along with London-based rockers Daxx & Roxane.

Currently knee-deep in soundtrack work, Hellgrimm has three songs (including the main theme) for the upcoming TV series "Lowie Mortem: Chronicles of a Dead Detective" to be directed by Hellgrimm bassist George Ortiz (2024). Guitarist Jerry Connor is also writing and recording a musical based on the novella "Gideon's Journey," written by Paul Enemark, illustrated by Hellgrimm singer/drummer Erica Missey. Hellgrimm also has two songs in the soundtrack of the film "The Darkness" (2024). 

Hellgrimm has opened for many talented artists including Geoff Tate, Christian Death, Powerman 5000, Kix, Jetboy, (hed) p.e., Dizzy Reed (Guns & Roses), Michael Graves, Tommy DeCarlo (Boston), Vicious Rumors, Pissing Razors, and Goatwhore. 

Hellgrimm's fourth offering and second full-length album, "Ritual," was released on streaming and downloads on September 5, 2022, and on CD soon afterward. Hellgrimm released its first full-length album, "The Hunger," in June 2021 and three EPs prior; the self-titled debut (March 2019), “Elysium” (February 2020) and "Hellgrimm: Live" (March 2021). 

Writer/guitarist Jerry Connor began his music obsession in his teens on South Padre Island, Texas. After years of playing in local bands, his world turned upside down when a fateful accident almost cost him his left hand and his life. Following two major surgeries, many doctors told him he would never play guitar again. Undeterred, Jerry studied music theory and composition at the University of Texas Pan American in hopes of becoming a composer.

Jerry rehabilitated his hand through years of relentless practice and was able to play guitar once again, moving around the country to work with national acts. In 2002, he landed in San Antonio, Texas, and began writing the music that would conjure the band Hellgrimm.

Drummer/vocalist/studio bassist Erica Missey fell in love with live music as a child while watching her grandfather and uncle play guitar in bars and at family get-togethers. She started playing trumpet when she was eleven and enjoyed playing through high school and early into university.

After years of concentrating on her art career (animation credits include “Space Jam” and “The Prince of Egypt"), Erica returned to making music as a bass player. She met Jerry Connor in 2002 and joined him to form the band Monkeysoop. After years of playing bass and finding her voice, Erica switched to drums in 2010 and became the primary singer when Hellgrimm was conceived in 2018.

George L. Ortiz is an independent filmmaker who's love for all things film started at a young age, acting in his father’s show all around Puerto Rico in the 80’s. He’s  directed musical plays,

rock videos, and is currently producing and directing a TV series. In 2007, George directed his first film called “The House of The Demon," that was sold to a movie studio in California. 

George has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Puerto Rico. In 2021, George started playing bass with the rock trio Hellgrimm, and in March, 2023, went on tour with them to the UK to support Raven's "All for One" Album 40th Anniversary Tour. George continues filming, playing with the band, and producing shows.