BEAST - THE LETTER 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Original Metal Enterprises Tontrager

Album cover of BEAST - The Letter, designed like an airmail envelope with red and blue striped borders, featuring four band member photos at the top, the band name in bold red font, and handwritten tracklist below.

Released in 1986, BEAST - The Letter is a fiery declaration of German heavy metal’s raw intensity. Hailing from Singen, Baden-Württemberg, BEAST channels the roaring energy of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, blending it with a unique Teutonic flair. Produced by Ingo Nowotny and released under Metal Enterprises, this rare gem captures the unapologetic spirit of an underground metal scene at its peak.

BEAST's "The Letter": A Forgotten Testament to German Heavy Metal
Album Description:

Released in 1986 on the independent label Original Metal Enterprises Tontrager, BEAST's "The Letter" stands as a fierce testament to the raw power and energy of the German heavy metal scene. This album, while not achieving widespread recognition, captured the essence of the band's unique sound, blending elements of classic heavy metal with a distinct Teutonic edge.

Historical Context and Genre

BEAST, a band hailing from Singen, Baden-Württemberg, was active primarily from 1981 until 1992, with a brief comeback in 2015. "The Letter" arrived during a time when the German heavy metal scene was flourishing, with bands like Accept, Scorpions, and Helloween gaining international recognition. BEAST's music embodied the spirit of this movement, with its driving rhythms, powerful vocals, and anthemic choruses.

The album's music is a potent mix of classic heavy metal and hard rock, showcasing influences from bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Deep Purple. The vocals are soaring and passionate, the guitars are crunchy and melodic, and the rhythm section is tight and energetic. While firmly rooted in the heavy metal tradition, BEAST's sound also incorporated elements of German folk music, adding a unique flavor to their music.

Collectors information:

This album "BEAST - The Letter" is the first full length album released by the Beast Band.

Beast was a German Heavy Band from Singen, Baden-Württemberg mainly active from 1981 until 1992 and a come-back during 2015.

Music Genre:

German Heavy Metal 

Album Production Information:

The album: "BEAST - The Letter" was produced by: Ingo Nowotny for Music Enterprises

Ingo Nowotny is a German producer and former musician from Usingen. He founded at least four rock (later Nazi/RAC) labels and/or publishing companies: Metal Enterprises, Nowotny Music Enterprises, Nowotny's Noize and IN Career Development. Ingo Nowotny is from Usingen in Germany and is known for the production of several Heavy Metal albums in the late 1980s. Bands for which he produced albums include: Asgard , Beast, Black Virgin, Blowin Free, Bohse Onkelz, Break Point, Burning Vision, Escape, Expect No Mercy, Extreme Napalm, Godzilla, Kahlkopf, Reaper, Think of Misery.

Record Label: 

Metal Enterprises is a German right-winged record label, it was found in 1982 by Ingo Nowotny

Metal Enterprises ME-505

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1986 Made in Germany
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: BEAST . The Letter
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Hans J. Bergt - Lead Vocals, Guitars
  • Helmut Merk - Bass
  • Kurt Bergt - Guitars
  • Roland Bayer - Drums
Complete Track-listing of the album "BEAST - The Letter"

The detailed tracklist of this record "BEAST - The Letter" is:

    Track-listing Side One:
  1. Callgirl 04:55
  2. Little Lady 03:35
  3. Dark City 04:01
  4. Outsider 03:06
  5. Roadie 03:12
  6. Keeping Your Touch 04:23
  7. Cadillac 03:44
  8. Lonely Nights 05:16
  9. Time Machine 03:48
    10.
Album cover of BEAST - The Letter, designed like an airmail envelope with red and blue striped borders, featuring four band member photos at the top, the band name in bold red font, and handwritten tracklist below.

The front cover of this album, titled BEAST - The Letter, is designed to mimic the look of an airmail envelope. It features a border with alternating red and blue diagonal stripes, a hallmark of classic airmail styling. At the top are four small square photographs of the band members, showcasing their 1980s heavy metal aesthetic with bold costumes and dramatic poses.

The band’s name, “BEAST,” appears prominently in the center in a bold, blood-red, jagged font, evoking the raw energy of their music. Below the name, the tracklisting is elegantly handwritten in cursive, providing a stark contrast to the aggressive vibe of the logo. The overall design gives off an impression of both international flair and heavy metal grit, aligning with the band’s German origins and their music’s bold character.

Album Back Cover  Photo of "BEAST - The Letter"
Album back cover of the Letter by The Beast

The back cover of BEAST - The Letter continues the airmail theme with a stylized sketch of a closed envelope. The red and blue striped border remains consistent with the front cover, framing the imagery. The envelope illustration dominates the center, creating the appearance of a sealed letter.

At the top, handwritten-style text includes the sender’s details, identifying “Ingo Nowotny Music Enterprises” along with a German address and phone number, giving the design a personal and authentic touch. The bottom features small text indicating distribution details and publication credits. A small yellow price sticker, reading “60,” is affixed on the right side, adding to the vintage charm. The overall aesthetic balances minimalism with the raw appeal of the heavy metal ethos.

Photo of "BEAST - The Letter" 12" LP Record
Record label for BEAST - The Letter, featuring the TONTRÄGER logo, track listing for Side A, and Metal Enterprises branding with black-and-white stripe design

The record label for BEAST - The Letter features a minimalist black-and-white design. The label prominently displays the logo and name “TONTRÄGER,” accompanied by the subtitle “A Division of Ingo Nowotny Music Enterprises.” Above this, the album’s title, “The Letter,” and the track listing for Side A are clearly printed. The songs listed include “Bad Boys,” “Watch Out,” “Killer,” and “Try Me Out.”

The label bears the “Metal Enterprises” branding at the top, reflecting the record company’s name and style. Around the outer edge, text in German circles the label, mentioning copyrights and usage restrictions. The catalog number “ME-505” and the GEMA rights organization stamp are also featured. A visually striking design element is the horizontal black-and-white stripe pattern on the left half of the label, creating a bold contrast against the plain white background.