KRANK - Hideous - 12" Vinyl LP ALbum

- This version of Krank Hideous 1986 is the original Metal Blade Records pressing featuring unique album art and track listing Later reissues differ in sound remastering and cover design

Front cover of Krank's 1986 album Hideous. The cover features a live concert photo of the band on stage with dramatic yellow and red lighting. The lead singer in the center, dressed in studded leather, plays guitar and sings into a microphone. To the left and right, two guitarists in flashy metal attire are also performing. Behind them, a drummer is visible, partially obscured by his drum kit. The stage is lit by colorful spotlights and Marshall amplifiers are stacked in the background. The band's name, Krank, appears at the top in bold red letters within a geometric diamond shape, and the album title Hideous is in red at the bottom right, stylized with a jagged font. https://vinyl-records.nl/

Krank's inaugural and sole album, emerges on a 12" Vinyl LP, defining the band's legacy. This release stands as the first and, until their comeback in 2003, only official album by Krank. The album encapsulates Krank's musical identity, leaving a mark on the timeline of their career. "Hideous" serves as a testament to the band's artistic expression, capturing a snapshot of their sound during this early phase of their musical journey.

KRANK - HIDEOUS: A Thrash Metal Onslaught from the Underground
Album Description:

Emerging from the depths of the mid-1980s thrash metal scene, the American band KRANK unleashed their debut album, "Hideous," in 1986. This 12" vinyl LP, released on Metal Blade Records, served as a sonic assault, showcasing the band's raw energy, aggressive sound, and uncompromising attitude.

Historical Context and Musical Exploration

"Hideous" was released during a time when thrash metal was gaining momentum, with bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax leading the charge. KRANK, hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, added their own unique flavor to the genre, blending elements of punk, hardcore, and heavy metal into a potent and volatile mix. The album featured a relentless barrage of fast tempos, aggressive riffs, and snarling vocals, reflecting the angst and rebellion of the era.

Music Genre and Controversies

KRANK's music was firmly rooted in the thrash metal genre, known for its fast tempos, aggressive guitar riffs, and socially conscious lyrics. While the band's lyrics often touched on themes of violence, social injustice, and personal struggles, they rarely courted mainstream controversy. Their music was more about expressing frustration and anger than inciting violence.

Production Team and Recording Studio

The album was produced by Bill Metoyer, a well-respected producer known for his work with other thrash metal bands like Slayer and Sacred Reich. His experience and understanding of the genre helped shape the album's sound, giving it a raw and powerful edge that resonated with metal fans. The recording sessions took place at Track Record Studios in North Hollywood, a popular recording destination for many heavy metal bands of the era.

Music Genre:

Hard Rock Heavy Metal Music

Album Production Information:

Produced by Adrian Dean Benz

Record Label & Catalognr:

Metal Blade Records RR 9674

Album Packaging:

This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by Krank. 

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Gramophone Record 

Year & Country:

1986 Made in Holland
Band Members and Musicians on: Krank Hideous
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Frank Tyson – Vocals
  • Mike Force – Guitars
  • Kevin Mercer – Bass
  • Jack Hamer – Drums

Complete Track Listing of: Krank Hideous
    The Song/tracks on are :
  • Power
  • 'Till Hell Freezes Over
  • Evil
  • Nasty Habits
  • Rock The House
  • Rented Heat
  • Head Like A Rock
  • No More Lies
  • Don't F**k With Me
  • Hideous (Heavy Metal Havoc)

Krank Hideous Album Photo Gallery

Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Krank's 1986 album Hideous. The cover features a live concert photo of the band on stage with dramatic yellow and red lighting. The lead singer in the center, dressed in studded leather, plays guitar and sings into a microphone. To the left and right, two guitarists in flashy metal attire are also performing. Behind them, a drummer is visible, partially obscured by his drum kit. The stage is lit by colorful spotlights and Marshall amplifiers are stacked in the background. The band's name, Krank, appears at the top in bold red letters within a geometric diamond shape, and the album title Hideous is in red at the bottom right, stylized with a jagged font.

Front Cover of Krank's 1986 Album "Hideous"

This striking album cover captures Krank in the midst of a high-energy live performance. The stage is bathed in intense yellow and red lighting, enhancing the fiery atmosphere. The lead singer stands center stage, gripping his guitar while belting out lyrics into the microphone, wearing studded leather and chains that epitomize 80s heavy metal fashion.

To his left and right, two guitarists, clad in similarly dramatic outfits with metal-studded accessories, are fully engaged in their performance. In the background, a drummer is partially visible behind an elaborate drum kit, while towering Marshall amplifiers create a powerful stage presence.

The band's name, Krank, is displayed prominently at the top in bold red capital letters, encased within a jagged diamond-shaped logo. The album title, "Hideous", appears in the bottom right corner in a blood-dripping font, further reinforcing the album’s raw and rebellious heavy metal aesthetic.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Krank's 1986 album Hideous. The cover features the track listing for both sides of the album in red and white text at the top. A large live concert photo dominates the center, showing the band performing on stage with intense lighting and a powerful atmosphere. Below the photo, there is a list of special thanks and production credits in red text on a black background. At the bottom, four individual band member photos are framed in red, with each musician's name and role in the band listed underneath. The Metal Blade Records logo and catalog number RR 9674 appear in the top right corner, and a price sticker with the number 60 is placed nearby. A statement at the bottom humorously states 'No thanks to posers and glam bands.'

Back Cover of Krank's 1986 Album "Hideous"

The back cover of Krank's album "Hideous" serves as both an information hub and a tribute to the band's supporters. At the top, the full tracklist is displayed in bold red and white text, split into two sections for Side 1 and Side 2 of the vinyl record.

Dominating the center is a dynamic live concert photo of Krank performing on stage. The lighting casts an intense red and yellow glow, emphasizing the raw energy of their show. The stage is adorned with amplifiers and lighting rigs, reinforcing the heavy metal aesthetic.

Below the photo, the "Special Thanks" and "Many Thanks" sections list names of individuals, fellow musicians, and contributors who played a role in the album’s creation and success. The production credits detail the album's designers, engineers, and recording locations.

At the bottom of the cover, four individual band member portraits are framed in red. Each photo captures a musician in action, complete with their name and role in the band: Frank Tyson (Lead Vocals), Mike Force (Lead Guitar & Background Vocals), Kevin Mercer (Bass Guitar & Background Vocals), and Jack Hamer (Drums & Background Vocals).

The Metal Blade Records logo appears in the top right corner alongside the catalog number "RR 9674." A small price sticker with "60" is affixed to the cover, indicating a past sale. A tongue-in-cheek statement at the bottom of the cover reads: "No thanks to posers and glam bands," a nod to Krank's dedication to raw heavy metal.

Close up of Record Label
Close-up of the record label for Krank's 1986 album Hideous. The label is printed on a white background with black text and red accents. At the top, the Metal Blade Records logo is displayed, featuring a battle axe dripping with blood. Around the outer edge, a chain design encircles the label, with a red warning text stating unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, public performance, and broadcasting of the record is prohibited. The catalog number RR 9674 is listed to the right. The album title Hideous is printed in bold uppercase letters, followed by the track listing for Side 1, including song titles and durations. The band's name, Krank, is printed in bold, and a copyright notice at the bottom credits Metal Blade Records and Roadrunner Productions. The label also states that all songs were published by Bloody Skull Music and administered by Bug Music.

Close-up of the Record Label for Krank's 1986 Album "Hideous"

This close-up showcases the original record label from Krank's debut album "Hideous," released in 1986 under Metal Blade Records. The label features a white background with bold black text and red highlights.

At the top, the Metal Blade Records logo is prominently displayed, depicting a battle axe dripping with blood—an iconic symbol of the label's dedication to heavy metal. Surrounding the outer edge, a chain-like design encircles the label, reinforcing the raw and aggressive aesthetic. A red warning text along the border states that unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, public performance, and broadcasting of the record is prohibited.

The catalog number, RR 9674, is positioned to the right, while the album title, "Hideous", appears in bold uppercase letters at the center. Below it, the track listing for Side 1 is presented, detailing song titles along with their respective durations:

  • Power – 2:59
  • Till Hell Freezes Over – 3:16
  • Evil – 3:18
  • Nasty Habbits – 2:48
  • Rock The House – 4:05

The band's name, Krank, is prominently displayed below the tracklist. Additional production and copyright information is printed at the bottom, stating that all songs were published by Bloody Skull Music and administered by Bug Music. The copyright notice credits Metal Blade Records and Roadrunner Productions