DARK WIZARD - Devil's Victim 12" EP (Extended Play) Vinyl Record Mausoleum

- Satanic Dutch riffs and booze-soaked fury carved into vinyl, a filthy cult classic of 80s heavy metal hellfire

large album front cover photo of: DARK WIZARD - Devils Victim

DARK WIZARD's "Devil's Victim" 12" EP, a sinister masterpiece from the Netherlands' heavy metal scene, marked their ominous debut in 1984. Released under Mausoleum Records, the EP's haunting tracks, notably "Devil's Victim," encapsulated the band's dark aesthetic. This vinyl relic became a prelude to their acclaimed 1985 full-length album, "Reign of Evil," cementing DARK WIZARD's legacy in the world of underground heavy metal.

"Devil's Victim" Album Description

In the vast landscape of heavy metal, where the occult and the mystical converge with the thunderous roar of distorted guitars, emerges the ominous presence of Dark Wizard. Originating from the Netherlands (Holland), this enigmatic metal outfit made a significant impact with their first officially released recording, the "Devil's Victim" 12" EP, which served as a prelude to their 1985 full-length album, "Reign of Evil.".html">

The Birth of Darkness:

"Dark Wizard" entered the metal scene with an aura of mystery and an unwavering commitment to delivering raw, unadulterated heavy metal. The year was 1984, and the band manifested their dark energies into the form of a 12" Extended Play (EP) vinyl record titled "Devil's Victim." This haunting piece of sonic artistry became the cornerstone of their musical journey.

The Devil's Symphony:

The "Devil's Victim" EP, released under the Mausoleum Records label, encapsulated the essence of classic heavy metal. Comprising a limited edition 12" vinyl record, the EP featured a collection of tracks that showcased Dark Wizard's prowess in crafting music that resonated with the ominous and the supernatural.

One of the standout tracks on the EP was the titular "Devil's Victim," a thunderous anthem that encapsulated the band's dark aesthetic. The relentless guitar riffs, powerful drumming, and haunting vocals created an atmosphere that transported listeners into a realm where the mystical and the malevolent coexisted.

The Rise to Darkness:

"Devil's Victim" served as a precursor to Dark Wizard's subsequent endeavors, paving the way for their debut full-length album, "Reign of Evil," which saw the light of day in 1985. The EP acted as a harbinger of the band's dark and relentless musical journey, marking their entry into the world of heavy metal history.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal (although because of the lyrics and shows, they were often referred to as a Black Metal band)

Label & Catalognr:

Mausoleum Records – FIST 8337 (On album back cover), Mausoleum Records – FIRST 8337 (On the label)

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Weight: 230g

Year & Country:

1984 – Belgium

Producers:
  • Jos Kloek – Producer
  • Jos Kloek – Producer, Sound Engineer

    See Jos "Speed Rat" Kloek in the credits and you know who was steering the session.

    Jos Kloek is the Belgian producer/sound engineer who put a hard edge on a whole slice of 80s European heavy metal. I keep seeing his name in the credits: producing Killer (1983-84, "Shock Waves"), Axe Victims, Fisc, Dark Wizard and Warhead (1984), and even signing as Jos "Speed Rat" Kloek on Warhead's "The Day After" (1986). He guided Crossfire through 1984-86 (remix work, then production), and in 1985 took the desk for E.F. Band while mixing Together's "Playing Games" EP. His peak run is 1985-87: producing/engineering TSA and then mixing, producing and engineering Kat's debut "Metal and Hell" (1986) and related releases into 1987. Later credits include Van Camp (1988), FN Guns (1990) and Asphyxia (1991, executive producer).

    • `
  • Alfie Falkenbach – Executive Producer
  • Alfie Falckenbach – Producer, label founder, entrepreneur

    I always clock his name when I spot the Mausoleum logo in the wild: the guy didn’t just push metal forward from the office chair, he even stepped up front as the singer of Blues Karloff (vocals, 2014-2016).

    Alfie Falckenbach, was a Belgian music producer and entrepreneur who helped wire the European heavy metal underground into something that could actually be heard outside its own rehearsal room. In 1982 he founded Mausoleum Records, the Belgian label that became a major launchpad for hard rock and metal across Europe, and he later built the wider Music Avenue universe, including Blues Boulevard for the blues side of his musical brain. I think of him as a rare breed: the businessman who still understood the sweat, the riffs, and the messy human part of making records, which is probably why he also performed as the frontman of Blues Karloff (vocals, 2014-2016). He died on March 1, 2016 after a long illness.

    Alfie Falckenbach Wiki
  • Leo Felsenstein – Executive Producer
  • Leo "Rockstone" Felsenstein – Mausoleum Records co-founder, A&R, producer

    I don’t think of him as a “front of stage” guy; I track him by the early-80s studio credits and label moves, especially around Mausoleum’s first wave (roughly 1980–1984) with bands like Killer, Crossfire, and Ostrogoth.

    Leo "Rockstone" Felsenstein, was a Belgian heavy metal behind-the-scenes lifer: co-founding Mausoleum Records in the early 1980s and then helping steer its sound as an A&R guy and producer when Belgian metal was trying to kick down Europe’s door. When I see his name, it’s usually attached to that first Mausoleum surge, working with bands in a very specific window: Killer (producer on early releases in the early 1980s), Crossfire (producer on "See You in Hell" in 1984), and executive/production credits tied to other Mausoleum-era acts like Faithful Breath and Dark Wizard (again, early-to-mid 1980s). Worth saying out loud because the internet loves a mess: he’s not the same person as the drummer nicknamed “Fat Leo” from Killer/Mothers of Track. As far as I can verify, his “performed with bands” footprint is mainly the studio-and-label side rather than being a credited band member on stage.

  • Stonne Holmgren – Executive Producer
  • Stonne Holmgren – Mausoleum Records co-founder

    I file him under “quiet architects”: the kind of person who doesn’t need a guitar solo to change the scene, because co-founding Mausoleum Records meant helping give Belgian heavy metal an actual launch ramp.

    Stonne Holmgren, was co-founder of the Belgian record company Mausoleum Records, and that alone tells me he was more about building the machine than standing in the spotlight. In my head, he belongs to that early-1980s moment when small, stubborn labels could turn local noise into something that traveled across borders and ended up in collectors’ hands decades later. When it comes to “performed with bands,” I mostly run into his name on the label side rather than in band line-ups; if he had a performing chapter, it’s not a widely documented one compared to his Mausoleum role.

    Mausoleum Records
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Roel Toering – Sound/Recording Engineer
Recording Location:

Stable Studios – Arnhem, Netherlands

Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • Eric Philippe – Album Cover Design
  • Eric Philippe – Illustrator, graphic designer

    Eric Philippe is the kind of name I notice because the art hits first and the credits hit later: sharp airbrush fantasy vibes that helped Belgian metal look as intense as it sounded.

    Eric Philippe, is a Belgian illustrator and graphic designer based in Liege, known for airbrush-driven cover art and graphic work that shows up all over the rock and metal ecosystem. I associate him most with that classic Mausoleum-era visual punch: he’s credited for cover illustration/artwork on releases connected to bands like Crossfire, Killer, Ostrogoth, and Dark Wizard, and his style nails that sweet spot between fantasy menace and clean, readable design. When it comes to “performed with bands,” I don’t see him documented as a band member; his performing happens on paper and paint, where he basically builds the stage before the first riff even lands.

    Eric Philippe Wiki

Production Team Background

Note: The following background information has been compiled from collector sources and fan research. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed and should be treated as potentially unreliable.

Stable Studios – Arnhem, Netherlands

A professional recording facility active in the 1980s, Stable Studio became known in Dutch underground circles for handling hard rock and heavy metal bands. Affordable rates and a willingness to work with loud acts made it popular among rising metal groups. For Dark Wizard, the studio contributed to the raw and heavy atmosphere of Reign of Evil.

Roel Toering – Sound/Recording Engineer

Toering’s engineering style favored capturing live energy with minimal over-production. On Reign of Evil, he balanced the thunderous guitars and pounding drums to highlight the band’s underground edge.

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Berto van Veen – Vocals
    Berto van Veen took on the role of lead vocalist for DARK WIZARD. His vocal style played a significant role in shaping the band's dark and ominous sound, adding atmosphere to their occult themes.
  • Hans Pol – Guitars
    As the guitarist, Hans Pol defined the sonic landscape with riffs, solos, and melodies. His guitar work provided heaviness and atmosphere, complementing the vocals and rhythm section.
  • Kees Reinders – Bass
    Kees Reinders handled bass guitar duties, anchoring the band’s rhythmic intensity. His low-end resonance gave depth and weight to the overall DARK WIZARD sound.
  • Tony White – Drums
    Tony White was the backbone of the band on drums. His driving beats added power and energy, setting the pace for DARK WIZARD’s heavy metal assault.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Trip To Doom (4:30) Fan Favorite
  2. Big Typhoon (4:00)
  3. Poisoned Whiskey (3:53)
Video: Dark Wizard - Trip to Doom(1984 EP)
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Mr. Nice (5:05)
  2. Devil's Victim (4:12) Title Track
Video: DARK WIZARD - Devil's victim - 1984
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Dark Wizard's 1984 EP Devil's Victim, released by Mausoleum Records in Belgium. The artwork depicts a monstrous blue-skinned skeletal figure with glaring yellow eyes and sharp fanged teeth dripping with blood. It grips a shining sword, its blade streaked with fresh red blood, raised menacingly against a swirling dark cloudy night sky with bats circling the full moon. The figure's long white hair frames its grotesque face, and its stitched forehead suggests Frankenstein-like horror. The band name Dark Wizard is written in bold yellow gothic letters in the top right corner.

The front cover of Dark Wizard - Devil's Victim (Mausoleum Records, 1984) bursts with raw horror imagery. A nightmarish, skeletal being dominates the artwork. Its skin is a ghostly blue, stretched tight across a skull-like face, where glowing yellow eyes with black pupils radiate menace. Its jagged teeth, smeared with blood, glint against the black void of its mouth. A deep stitch runs across its forehead, evoking Frankenstein-like imagery.

The creature clutches a sword with its large clawed blue hand. The blade gleams silver with sharp reflections, but along its edge drips fresh red blood, accentuating the EP’s violent and occult undertones. Behind the figure, a stormy purple-and-black sky swirls with ominous clouds. At the top left, a pale full moon shines, while flocks of bats scatter across its eerie glow.

Flowing white hair cascades down the monster’s shoulders, in stark contrast to its rotting blue flesh. Its torso, covered in a purple garment, fades into shadow, drawing all focus to the brutal face and bloodied sword. The band’s name Dark Wizard blazes in bold yellow gothic typography at the top right, standing out dramatically against the dark background. This artwork encapsulates the sinister, occult-driven spirit of early Dutch heavy metal.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Dark Wizard's 1984 EP Devil's Victim, Mausoleum Records Belgium release. The artwork is minimalistic with a stark black background and bold yellow typography. At the top, the band name Dark Wizard appears in large capital letters, followed by the EP title Devil's Victim in yellow. Below, the tracklist is presented in white text, featuring Poisoned Whiskey, Trip to Doom, Mr. Nice, Devil's Victim, and Big Typhoon. The bottom section contains detailed credits: musicians, producer Jos Kloek, engineer Roel Toering, executive producers Alfie Falkenbach, Leo Felsenstein, and Stonne Holmgren, and cover illustrator Eric Philippe. Additional acknowledgments, thanks, and Mausoleum Records distribution details are also printed.

The back cover of Dark Wizard - Devil's Victim is a stark, commanding design built on a solid black background. Bold yellow typography dominates the top half: the band name Dark Wizard in large capital letters, and beneath it the EP title Devil’s Victim underlined in matching yellow.

Centered below, the track-listing appears in white text, listing all five songs: Poisoned Whiskey, Trip to Doom, Mr. Nice, Devil’s Victim, and Big Typhoon. This straightforward layout contrasts with the chaotic front cover, offering collectors a precise reference to the music inside.

The bottom section provides essential credits and acknowledgments. It lists the band members—Berto van Veen on vocals, Hans Pol on guitar, Kees Reinders on bass, and Tony White on drums—along with production credits to Jos Kloek, sound engineer Roel Toering, and executive producers Alfie Falkenbach, Leo Felsenstein, and Stonne Holmgren. The cover illustration is attributed to Eric Philippe.

Additional text includes thanks to collaborators and fans, band management details, merchandising contacts, and distribution notes under the Mausoleum Records imprint. The combination of bold color contrasts and utilitarian layout captures the underground heavy metal aesthetic of the mid-1980s.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Side One record label of Dark Wizard's Devil's Victim EP, Mausoleum Records Belgium 1984. The label background features a cloudy sky with yellow lightning streaks. At the top, the Mausoleum Records logo is printed in bold red dripping letters, with 'Records' in white Gothic font below. Text details include catalog number FIRST 8337, Side 1, 33 RPM, SABAM rights society, and 'Made in Belgium'. Track list: Trip to Doom (4:30), Big Typhoon (4:00), and Poisoned Whiskey (3:53), with composers Van Veen, Pol, Reinders, White. Production credit: Jos Kloek and Dark Wizard. All selections published by Makin' Music. Band name printed at the bottom.

This close-up image presents the Side One label of Dark Wizard - Devil’s Victim, Mausoleum Records’ 1984 Belgian release. The label background is atmospheric, rendered in swirling gray clouds with a jagged yellow lightning bolt cutting across the surface.

Dominating the top is the iconic Mausoleum Records logo: bold red dripping letters resembling blood, underlined by the word Records in a white Gothic typeface. Around the rim of the vinyl are legal disclaimers in fine print.

Key pressing details include catalog number FIRST 8337, designation Side 1, speed 33 RPM, rights society SABAM, and the notation Made in Belgium. The center lists the track titles with durations: Trip to Doom (4:30), Big Typhoon (4:00), and Poisoned Whiskey (3:53), with songwriting credits to Van Veen, Pol, Reinders, and White.

At the bottom, production details cite Produced by Jos Kloek and Dark Wizard, with publishing by Makin’ Music, and the band name Dark Wizard printed prominently. This label is a definitive reference point for vinyl collectors confirming pressing authenticity.

Index of Dark Wizard Album Cover Gallery

Thumbnail of DARK WIZARD - Devil's Victim (1984 Belgium) album front cover
DARK WIZARD - Devil's Victim

Spin Devil's Victim and you’ll hear Dark Wizard kicking down the cellar door, four tracks of primitive heavy metal fury smeared with smoke, sweat, and juvenile Satanic glee. It’s raw, hungry, and gloriously unpolished, the kind of EP that rattles like a stolen amp in a van with no brakes. Every riff is a fistfight, every scream a dare, and subtlety is left bleeding in the gutter.

Thumbnail of DARK WIZARD - Reign Of Evil 12" LP Album Vinyl album front cover
DARK WIZARD - Reign Of Evil 12" LP Album Vinyl

This slab of wax, Reign of Evil, is the kind of glorious mess only a bunch of Dutch maniacs called Dark Wizard could conjure. It’s heavy metal with bloodshot eyes and nicotine breath, guitars clawing at the sky while vocals stagger between menace and hysteria. Press play and you’re dragged down a basement staircase lit by flickering neon, where riffs laugh in your face and never let go.

Mausoleum Vinyl Records Discography

MAUSOLEUM Records: Belgian keepers of a vast vinyl legacy. Founded in 1980, their catalog spans heavy metal, hard rock, and punk. Discover rare gems, cult classics, and legendary artists. Dive into their discography and unearth the sonic treasures waiting to be spun.