Hellion (band) - The Black Book

The Black Book

In 1988 Hellion embarked on a European tour in support of Postcards from the Asylum. While on the road the band decided they wanted to do a concept album. However, once Ann Boleyn began writing the lyrics, she decided that a full length novel should accompany the album. A lucrative publishing book deal followed as well as a new recording contract with Enigma Records, which had distribution through Capital. Guitarist Tim Kelly, later of Slaughter, stood in for Ray Schenck.

Unfortunately for Hellion, Enigma Records went out of business before the Black Book was released, resulting in Hellion's contract being transferred to Medusa Records, a division of Restless Records for the US release. Because Hellion was also signed to Music for Nations in England and Pony Canyon in Japan, the delay by the Restless Records caused the other labels release to also be delayed. Around this time guitarists Chet Thompson and Ray Shenck returned in time for Hellion's appearance at the Monster's of Rock in the then-U.S.S.R. The trip marked the first time a U.S. rock band had actually toured in the Soviet Union and bided time for the U.S. release.

With the release of The Black Book delayed for over a year by Restless, the band grew restless themselves. And, it soon became evident that the new label was also in financial trouble. In late 1991, with the cancellation of MTV's Headbangers Ball, and the emergence of the Seattle Sound and new metal, Restless cancelled the editing of two videos as well as Ann Boleyn's appearance hosting Headbangers Ball which was to coincide with a contest in which a viewer would win a free trip to Hell in the Grand Cayman Islands. Restless did eventually release The Black Book, but the packaging was of substantially lower quality than the gate-fold version that was sold in England and Japan. And, due to the delay in the albums release, the book deal was also shelved.