Malice - In the Beginning 12" Vinyl LP Album

"In the Beginning..." is the first official full-length album released by the Californian Heavy Metal/Power Metal band "Malice. The album was produced by Michael Wagener for Double Trouble Productions , recorded at Total Access Studios, Redondo Beach and released in 1983.

 

Malice In the Beginning 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover

"In the Beginning" Album Description:

In the vast landscape of heavy metal, certain albums stand out as iconic, leaving an indelible mark on the genre's history. Among these treasures is Malice's "In the Beginning," a 12" Vinyl LP Album that catapulted the band into the spotlight and solidified their place in the metal pantheon. Released during the golden era of metal in the mid-1980s, this album is a sonic journey that showcases the band's prowess and establishes them as a force to be reckoned with.

A Glimpse into the Past:

"In the Beginning" emerged in 1985, a time when metal was thriving and expanding its boundaries. Malice, hailing from Portland, Oregon, seized the opportunity to contribute to the metal revolution with their unique blend of power and speed metal. The album served as the band's debut full-length release, following the success of their EP "Kick You Down."

The Vinyl Experience:

The decision to release "In the Beginning" as a 12" Vinyl LP Album was strategic and visionary. Vinyl records were the primary medium for music consumption at the time, offering a warm and authentic sound that resonated with the essence of heavy metal. The large canvas of a 12" vinyl allowed for intricate album artwork, and Malice capitalized on this by presenting a visually stunning cover that mirrored the intensity of the music within.

Legacy and Impact:

"In the Beginning" left an enduring impact on the metal community, earning Malice a devoted fanbase and critical acclaim. The album's combination of melody and aggression set a precedent for the power metal genre that would continue to evolve in the years to come. Malice's influence can be heard in subsequent generations of metal bands who drew inspiration from the band's technical prowess and unbridled energy.

Music Genre: Heavy Metal, Hard Rock Music

Album Production Information:

Produced by Michael Wagener for Double Trouble Productions

  • Michael Wagener – Producer, Sound Engineer Michael Wagener is a legendary music producer and sound engineer, known for crafting the signature sounds of hard rock and heavy metal. He co-founded Accept before shifting to production, working with top bands like Metallica, Skid Row, and Dokken. His powerful, polished mixes defined an era of rock.

  • Recorded at Total Access Studios, Redondo Beach, CA.

    Alex Woltman - Sound Engineer

    Alex Woltman, sound engineer who has been working on a dozen of Heavy Metal albums during the 1980s. Bands he has worked with include W.A.S.P., Malice, Lizzy Borden and others. For W.A.S.P. he engineered the two singles: "95-Nasty", "I Don't Need No Doctor" and the full-length album: "Inside the Electric Circus"

    Ashley Howe - Sound Engineer

    Duane Baron - Sound Engineer

  • Duane Baron – Sound Engineer, Mixing Engineer

    Veteran sound engineer who helped define the polished muscle of ’80s and ’90s hard rock and metal.

    Duane Baron is a renowned sound engineer known for shaping the sound of iconic rock and metal albums. Working as both engineer and mixer, he played a key role in crafting records by artists such as Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, Heart, and Alice Cooper. His ability to balance clarity, power, and radio-ready polish made him a go-to figure during the peak years of big-budget rock production.

  • Mark Wilczak - Sound Engineer

    George Marino (1947-2012) - Mastering Engineer

  • George Marino – Mastering Engineer

    When my site brain goes full 1980s metal mode, his name keeps showing up like a hidden signature in the dead wax.

    George Marino is one of those behind-the-glass legends who made heavy music feel larger than the room it was playing in. Before the mastering console became his throne, he was a Bronx guitarist doing the NYC band grind in the 1960s with groups like The Chancellors and The New Sounds Ltd. Then he went pro for real: starting at Capitol Studios in New York (1967), and eventually becoming a long-running force at Sterling Sound (from 1973 onward). For a collector like me—living in that sweet spot where 1980s heavy metal, hard rock, and a dash of prog-minded ambition collide—Marino’s credits read like a stack of essential sleeves: Holy Diver (Dio), Tooth and Nail (Dokken), Stay Hard (Raven), Master of Puppets (Metallica), Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden), Among the Living (Anthrax), Appetite for Destruction (Guns N’ Roses), Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi), and Blow Up Your Video (AC/DC). That’s the kind of resume that doesn’t just “master” records—it weaponizes them, but with taste. George Marino Wiki

  • Record Label & Catalognr:

    Atlantic 781 250 / LC 0121

    Packaging:

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

    Media Format:

    12" LP Vinyl Gramophone Record 

    Year & Country:

    1985 Made in Germany

    Band Members and Musicians on: Malice In the Beginning
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • James Neal - Vocals
    • Jay Reynolds - Guitars
    • Mick Zane - Guitars, Acoustic
    • Mark Behn - Bass, Taurus Pedals
    • Clifford Carothers - Drums, Motorcycle

    Complete Track Listing of: Malice In the Beginning
      The Song/tracks on "In The Beginng" are:
    • Rockin' With You 05:01
    • Into The Ground 03:48
    • Air Attack 03:01
    • Stellar Masters 03:58
    • Tarot Dealer 04:21
    • Squeeze It Dry 04:03
    • Hellrider 04:11
    • No Haven For The Raven 06:07
    • The Unwanted 04:37
    • Godz Of Thunder