- The Defiant Anthem of 80s Heavy Metal – A Collector’s Must-Have Vinyl
"Be My Slave," Bitch's debut 12" Vinyl LP Album, is a seminal work in American heavy metal. Produced by Phil Pecora and executive produced by Brian Slagel, the album, released in the mid-1980s, showcases Bitch's unique blend of theatricality and powerful vocals by Betsy Bitch. With Bill Metoyer as the sound engineer, the album's sonic richness and enduring legacy solidify its place in metal history.
In the world of heavy metal history, certain albums stand out as pioneers, marking the inception of a band's musical journey. "Be My Slave," the debut full-length album by the female-fronted American heavy metal band Bitch, is one such iconic record that left an indelible mark on the metal landscape. In this expository article, we delve into the creation history of "Be My Slave," exploring the key players behind its production and the musical landscape that shaped its inception.
The Birth of Bitch:
Before we unravel the album's creation, it's essential to trace the roots of Bitch. Formed in the early 1980s by vocalist Betsy Bitch, the band embraced a unique blend of heavy metal with a strong emphasis on theatrical and visually striking performances. Betsy Bitch's powerful vocals and the band's energetic stage presence quickly garnered attention, paving the way for their debut album.
Phil Pecora's Production Magic:
The production of "Be My Slave" was entrusted to Phil Pecora, a seasoned producer known for his work with various metal acts. Pecora's expertise brought a polished sound to the album, enhancing the raw energy of Bitch's music. His keen understanding of the metal genre and meticulous approach in the studio contributed significantly to the sonic richness that defines "Be My Slave."
Brian Slagel's Executive Touch:
Brian Slagel, renowned as the founder of Metal Blade Records, assumed the role of Executive Producer for "Be My Slave." Slagel's visionary contributions to the metal industry are well-documented, and his involvement in the production process added a layer of strategic guidance. Under Slagel's stewardship, the album gained not only artistic credibility but also the backing of a label that would become synonymous with metal excellence.
Bill Metoyer's Sonic Engineering:
A crucial element in the album's creation was the expertise of Bill Metoyer, the sound engineer behind the mixing and mastering of "Be My Slave." Metoyer's proficiency in capturing the essence of metal music translated into a well-balanced and impactful sonic experience. The album's cohesive sound owes much to Metoyer's technical prowess, making it a timeless piece in the heavy metal tapestry.
Musical Landscape and Legacy:
Released in the mid-1980s, "Be My Slave" entered a dynamic period in the heavy metal scene. The album encapsulated the spirit of the era, characterized by a burgeoning underground metal movement and the rise of female-fronted bands challenging the genre's norms. Bitch's unapologetic approach and Betsy Bitch's charismatic presence contributed to the album's enduring legacy.
Heavy Metal
Noise – N 001
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
1983 Germany
This album comes with the original custom inner sleeve with lyrics of all the songs and detailed production information.
Phil Pecora - Producer
Brian Slagel - Producer
Bill Metoyer - Sound Engineer
Track Record, Los Angeles, California May-June 1983
Kevin Gray, MCA Whitney, Glendale, California
Don Adkins - Photographer
John Al Letcher - Photographer
Album Cover Description:
The cover of BITCH - Be My Slave features lead singer Betsy Bitch in an intense, dominatrix-inspired pose, staring directly at the viewer with a commanding expression. She is dressed in a revealing black leather outfit with cutouts, adorned with studs, metal chains, and spiked accessories. Her right arm is extended forward, gripping a thick metal chain, while her left hand holds a long black whip.
Her makeup is bold, with dark eyeliner, smoky eyeshadow, and deep red lipstick. Her voluminous, teased black hair frames her face, adding to her fierce appearance. Around her neck, a necklace spells out "Bitch" in metallic lettering.
The background is a stark white floor covered with various BDSM-themed accessories, including leather belts, studded cuffs, ropes, and whips. A black riding crop and a spiked belt are also scattered around, reinforcing the album’s provocative and theatrical aesthetic.
At the top, the band's name, "Bitch", appears in a stylized, gothic-metal font with dagger-like embellishments, while the album title, "Be My Slave", is scrawled in a dripping, edgy script, enhancing the rebellious and confrontational tone of the image.
Album Back Cover Description:
The back cover of BITCH - Be My Slave is a black-and-white collage featuring live concert shots of the band members performing on stage. At the top, the full tracklist is presented in bold white text, listing songs like "Right From The Start," "Be My Slave," "Leatherbound," and "World War III."
Centered on the cover, four distinct live images showcase each member of the band in action:
Above the images, the production credits are printed in capital letters, crediting Brian Slagel as the executive producer, Phil Pecora and Brian Slagel as producers, and Bill Metoyer as the engineer. The recording location is specified as Track Record, Los Angeles, CA, May/June 1983.
At the bottom, the record label (TOTAL) NOISE is displayed along with its Berlin address: "a division of Modern Music - Skalitzer Str. 49, 1000 Berlin 36."
Inner Sleeve with Lyrics - Side One
This image showcases the inner sleeve of BITCH - Be My Slave, printed on white paper with black text. The page features a neatly organized layout with song lyrics from several tracks on the album. The titles of the songs are in uppercase letters, followed by the respective songwriting credits.
Visible songs include:
The lyrics are structured in stanzas, with choruses labeled distinctly. Some songs also include "BRIDGE" and "LEAD" sections, emphasizing musical transitions. The bottom of the page contains a copyright disclaimer stating, "ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. UNAUTHORIZED DUPLICATION IS A VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAWS."
Inner Sleeve with Lyrics - Side Two
This image displays the second page of the inner sleeve for BITCH - Be My Slave, featuring the lyrics of additional tracks printed in black ink on white paper. The text is neatly arranged in multiple columns, with song titles in bold uppercase letters, followed by their respective music and lyrics credits.
Visible songs include:
The rightmost section of the sleeve contains additional credits, including:
The text ends with the catalog number MBR 1007, indicating the album's unique pressing identification.
Side One Vinyl Label - BITCH - Be My Slave
This image presents a close-up of the vinyl label for Side One of BITCH - Be My Slave, released under NOISE Records, a division of Modern Music. The label is black with white text and features a gothic-style logo for "NOISE" prominently at the top.
Key details on the label include:
A circular border around the label contains legal text in German, warning against unauthorized reproduction, broadcasting, and rental of the record. The spindle hole is centrally located, slightly worn from use.
This label design reflects the classic heavy metal aesthetic of the 1980s, with its dark tones and bold, sharp typography.
Side Two Vinyl Label - BITCH - Be My Slave
This image presents a close-up of the vinyl label for Side Two of BITCH - Be My Slave, released under NOISE Records, a division of Modern Music. The label is black with white text, featuring the band's name in bold capital letters and the NOISE logo in a gothic typeface.
Key details on the label include:
The label’s circular border contains German text warning against unauthorized reproduction, broadcasting, and rental of the record. The spindle hole is centrally located, showing signs of wear from use.
This design remains consistent with the classic heavy metal aesthetic of the 1980s, emphasizing bold typography and a dark, no-nonsense presentation.
"Bitch" is an American heavy metal band that was formed in the 1980s. They are known for their aggressive style of music, which is characterized by fast tempos, heavy guitar riffs, and powerful vocals. They released several albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and are considered to be one of the pioneers of the American heavy metal scene.
Some of Bitch's most popular songs include "Be My Slave," "Live for the Whip," and "Ain't None of Your Business." The band has been credited with influencing many other heavy metal and hard rock acts, and they continue to tour and perform to this day.
Bitch is known for their high-energy live performances, and they have been praised for their musicianship and stage presence. Despite facing criticism and controversy due to the explicit lyrics and subject matter in their music, they have remained popular among heavy metal fans and continue to be respected in the metal community.
Noise – N 001 , 1983 , Germany
"Be My Slave" by BITCH is a fierce 1983 heavy metal album that broke boundaries with its bold themes and theatrical flair. Led by Betsy Bitch’s commanding vocals, the album blends raw energy with provocative lyrics, delivering a rebellious, high-intensity sound. Released by NOISE Records, it remains a cult classic, defining the unapologetic spirit of female-fronted metal in the '80s underground scene.
Learn moreMetal Blade Records RR 9627 , 1987 , Holland
The Bitch is Back is a bold statement of defiance from Bitch, released in 1987. Fueled by Betsy's fierce vocals and razor-sharp riffs, the album delivers pure heavy metal energy. Produced by Joseph Romersa and engineered by Bill Metoyer, it captures Metal Blade's raw power. With an electrifying Elton John cover and headbangers like Heavy Metal Breakdown, this record cements Bitch’s place in metal history.
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