The Nightcomers  by Holocaust

The debut album The Nightcomers by Scottish band Holocaust is considered one of the cornerstones of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). It was released in 1981 by their own record label, Phoenix Record And Filmworks. The album combines the energy of punk with the sound of classic heavy metal.

Songs that stood out include Smokin' Valves with its hard rock aesthetic, reminiscent of early Motörhead, Death Or Glory, and Heavy Metal Mania, while the self-titled track of the album is a more complex and "heavy" composition that highlights their own identity. The production of The Nightcomers was done by Robert Bell, with sound engineer Calum Malcolm at Castle Sound Studios in Edinburgh. The cover was designed by Bill Reid and depicts an ominous figure (a "Nightcomer") reminiscent of a scene from a horror movie, in line with the band's theme.

Although it did not achieve massive commercial success at the time, it is now considered a cult classic. Its influence is evident, as Metallica covered The Small Hours from their later EP and Six Feet Under covered Death Or Glory, confirming the influence of Holocaust on the metal scene.