WHITE LION - BIG GAME - Hard Rock 12" Vinyl LP Album

- An In-Depth Look at WHITE LION's 1989 "Big Game" Vinyl LP: Tracks, Production, and Legacy

White Lion ‘Big Game’ album cover featuring a golden wheat field with a lion’s face subtly integrated, the White House in the background, and a circular label highlighting the limited edition with a free poster.

  White Lion: Big Game roars into the realm of Hard Rock on the 12" LP Vinyl Album, marking the third studio release by the iconic band. Released on August 10, 1989, by Atlantic Records, "Big Game" encapsulates White Lion's signature sound. This album, a testament to their musical evolution, includes a bonus in the form of a poster, adding a visual element to the auditory experience. Each track resonates with the hard rock spirit, making "Big Game" a cherished addition for enthusiasts and a pivotal chapter in White Lion's discography.

"Big Game": A Hard Rock Statement in a Changing Landscape
Album Description:

In the heart of the late 80s, as the glam metal scene was reaching its peak, White Lion released their third studio album, "Big Game." This 1989 offering solidified their position as a prominent hard rock band, even as the musical landscape began to shift.

Historical Context

"Big Game" was born into a music scene that was in transition. While hairspray and power ballads still dominated the charts, a grunge revolution was brewing in the underground. White Lion, however, remained true to their sound, delivering an album that embodied their melodic hard rock style.

Musical Exploration

While "Big Game" maintained the band's signature sound, it also saw them exploring new sonic territories. The album features a more mature songwriting approach, tackling themes of social consciousness and personal struggles. Songs like "Cry for Freedom" and "Little Fighter" showcased the band's ability to blend anthemic rock with thoughtful lyrics.

Production Team and Studio

The album was produced by the renowned Michael Wagener, known for his work with bands like Metallica and Skid Row. Wagener's production expertise brought a polished sound to "Big Game," enhancing the band's musicality and songwriting.

The recording sessions took place at various studios, including Rumbo Recorders and Conway Recording Studios, both known for their state-of-the-art equipment and experienced staff.

Music Genre:

Hard Rock 

Album Production Information:

The album: "Big Game" was produced by: Michael Wagener for Double Trouble Productions

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Michael Wagener

  • Michael Wagener – Producer, Sound Engineer

    The German set of ears that can make a wall of amps sound lethal, not muddy.

    Michael Wagener is the German-born producer/engineer who taught heavy guitars to sound huge without turning into soup. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s he helped shape Accept's steel-plate punch, then in the 1980s Los Angeles grind he became a go-to set of ears for Dokken—tight, glossy, and still mean. By the late 1980s he was guiding arena-sized hard rock for Skid Row and White Lion, and in the 1990s he kept that balance of bite and clarity alive for bands like Extreme. I can spot his signature fast: drums snapping, guitars spread wide, and reverb kept on a short leash. From his WireWorld room in Tennessee, he mixes like a craftsman: edges sharp, low end disciplined, vocals sitting just forward enough to start trouble.

    Michael Wagener Wiki

    • This album was recorded at: Amigo Studios

    Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York City

    Album cover design: Lynn Kowalewski

    Album cover photography: Neil Zlozower

  • Neil Zlozower – Rock Photographer

    The eye behind some of the most iconic hard rock and metal images of the ’70s and ’80s.

    Neil Zlozower is a legendary rock photographer whose raw, high-energy images helped define the hard rock and heavy metal scenes of the 1970s and 1980s. Best known for his close association with bands like Van Halen and Mötley Crüe, his photographs capture the unfiltered intensity, excess, and attitude of rock’s golden era. Decades on, his work remains a visual time capsule of loud amps and louder personalities.

    Neil Zlozower Read his Biography

    • Record Label & Catalog-nr:

    Atlantic 781 969 WX 277
    Album Packaging:This album "Big Game" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos

    Media Format:

    12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
    Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram 

    Year & Country:

    1988 Made in Germany
    Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: WHITE LION - Big Game
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Vito Bratta - Guitars
    • Mike Tramp - Vocals
    • Greg D'Angelo - Drums

      Gregory D'Angelo was one of the first drummer ( 1981 until 1983 ) with the American Thrash metal band Anthrax. After leaving Anthrax, he joined the Danish/American Hard Rock band "White Lion".

    • James Lomenzo - Bass
    Complete Track-listing of the album "WHITE LION - Big Game"

    The detailed tracklist of this record "WHITE LION - Big Game" is:

      Track-listing Side One:
    1. Going Home Tonight
    2. Dirty Woman
    3. Little Fighter
    4. Broken Home
    5. Baby be Mine
    6. Living on the Edge
      Track-listing Side Two:
    1. Let's Get Crazy
    2. Don't Say it's Over
    3. If my Mind is Evil
    4. Radar Love (cover of the Golden Earring's song)
    5. Cry for Freedom
    White Lion ‘Big Game’ album cover featuring a golden wheat field with a lion’s face subtly integrated, the White House in the background, and a circular label highlighting the limited edition with a free poster.

    The album cover for White Lion’s “Big Game” features a striking visual composition. In the foreground, a golden field of tall wheat dominates the scene, with the subtle and artistic integration of a lion’s face partially visible within the field. The lion’s features blend naturally with the golden tones of the wheat, symbolizing a hidden or camouflaged presence. In the background, the iconic White House is prominently displayed, contrasting the natural wilderness with a symbol of power and civilization. The album title, “Big Game,” and the band’s name, “White Lion,” are positioned at the top, adding simplicity to the overall design. A circular label on the right side highlights the inclusion of a free poster, marking this as a limited edition release.

    Album Back Cover  Photo of "WHITE LION - Big Game"
    Back cover of White Lion’s ‘Big Game’ album featuring individual portraits of band members Mike Tramp, Vito Bratta, Greg D’Angelo, and James Lomenzo, along with the tracklist, production credits, and record label details

    The back cover of White Lion’s “Big Game” album features a symmetrical layout divided into four quadrants, each showcasing a portrait of one band member. The top-left quadrant displays Mike Tramp (vocals), with his signature long blonde hair and a confident expression. The top-right quadrant features Vito Bratta (guitar), with dark, wavy hair and a serious gaze. The bottom-left quadrant highlights Greg D’Angelo (drums), with voluminous curly black hair and wearing a patterned shirt. The bottom-right quadrant showcases James Lomenzo (bass), with flowing light brown hair and a focused demeanor. The center section includes the tracklist for both sides of the album, production credits, and the record label information. The clean and organized design emphasizes the professionalism and identity of the band members.

    Inner Sleeve   of "WHITE LION - Big Game" Album
    Custom inner sleeve of White Lion’s ‘Big Game’ album featuring a black-and-white group photo of Vito Bratta, Mike Tramp, Greg D’Angelo, and James Lomenzo, along with detailed production credits and acknowledgments.

    The custom inner sleeve of White Lion’s “Big Game” album features a black-and-white group photo of the band members. The image portrays a casual yet cohesive aesthetic, with all four members seated together, exuding a blend of confidence and camaraderie. From left to right, the members are Vito Bratta (guitar), Mike Tramp (vocals), Greg D’Angelo (drums), and James Lomenzo (bass). Each member’s unique style is evident, reflecting the hard rock fashion of the late 1980s, including leather jackets, denim, and bold hairstyles. Below the photo, detailed credits for the album’s production, acknowledgments, and other information are neatly organized, emphasizing the team’s effort behind the album’s creation.

    Photo of "WHITE LION - Big Game" Album's Inner Sleeve  
    custom inner sleeve with lyrics of all the songs
    Photo of "WHITE LION - Big Game" 12" LP Record Label
    Atlantic Records label for White Lion’s ‘Big Game’ album featuring the Atlantic logo, album title, side one designation, and production credits

    The record label for White Lion’s “Big Game” album features a vibrant and classic design by Atlantic Records. The label is divided into three sections: a green top segment showcasing the iconic Atlantic Records logo in orange and black, a white middle band displaying the album title “WHITE LION BIG GAME” in bold uppercase text along with “Stereo” and “Side One” indicators, and an orange bottom segment containing additional album details, such as the production credits and catalog number “781 969-1 WX 277.” The layout is clean and professional, aligning with Atlantic Records’ recognizable branding, and the information is well-organized for easy readability.

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    In the heart of the hair metal-dominated 1980s, White Lion emerged with their debut album, "Fight to Survive," a raw and unyielding testament to their hard rock roots. Released in 1985 on Grand Slamm Records, this 12" vinyl LP marked the band's first foray into the music scene and set the stage

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