Much lauded Stockholm Death Metal combo RAISE HELL was founded in 1995 as IN COLD BLOOD by vocalist / guitarist Jonas Hilsson, bass player Niklas Sjöström and guitarist Torstein Wickberg. The following year drummer Dennis Ekdahl completed the rankings. The band, very much rooted in the Black Metal scene, were all still in their mid teens by the time the band was finalised leading to jibes about them being "the Death Metal HANSON".

In the summer of 1997IN COLD BLOOD issued their only demo 'Nailed'. A record company bidding war erupted, which included the Earache label, after which Germany's Nuclear Blast emerged as the victors. However, at this point was an American Hardcore act of same title was discovered hence the name switch to RAISE HELL. By the time 1998 debut 'Holy Target' arrived RAISE HELL's average band member age was just 18.