The eclectic and versatile guitarist John Cobbett (Gwar, Ludicra, Slough Feg, Amber Asylum, Jarboe) from San Francisco gave birth in 2000 to Hammers of Misfortune, previously known as Unholy Cadaver. Later in 2001, the band released their first full length album “The Bastard” (an epic tale told in three acts with three distinct characters/voices) on Tumult Records. Critically acclaimed, the album was voted among the top 40 releases of 2001 by the writers of Terrorizer magazine.