DARK WIZARD - Reign of Evil 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Raw Dutch heavy metal menace with riffs soaked in occult fire and underground fury

large album front cover photo of: DARK WIZARD Reign of Evil NETHERLANDS

Dark Wizard, the Netherlands' Heavy Metal conjurors, etched their legacy with the enigmatic "Reign of Evil" 12" LP Album Vinyl, the band's final offering under NETHERLANDS Mausoleum Records. Preceded by the 1984 EP "Devil's Victim," the 1985 opus weaves haunting melodies with occult themes, creating a timeless masterpiece. The vinyl's ominous cover art and relentless tracks encapsulate Dark Wizard's enduring influence in the realm of Heavy Metal.

DARK WIZARD Band Description

Emerging from the unlikely Dutch town of Vroomshoop in the 1980s, Dark Wizard wasn't your typical heavy metal band. While labeled "black metal" due to their dark themes, their sound leaned more towards classic heavy metal with a generous helping of theatrics.

Masters of Melodic Mayhem

Dark Wizard's music was rooted in the heavy metal of legends like Black Sabbath. Crank up the distortion, layer on the soaring guitar riffs, and throw in a healthy dose of catchy hooks – that's the Dark Wizard recipe. But unlike the grim seriousness of some metal bands, Dark Wizard wasn't afraid to inject some melody into their music. Imagine galloping rhythms punctuated by frontman's (whose name varies depending on the source) powerful vocals, all building towards a satisfyingly melodic chorus.

Bringing the Horror to the Stage

Dark Wizard wasn't content to just deliver the music. Their live shows were legendary for their elaborate theatrics. Think fog machines, pyrotechnics, and even monsters like "Mr Nice" and "Dr Doom" bursting from coffins to add a touch of horror to the proceedings. This commitment to creating an immersive experience set them apart from their peers.

A Reign of Evil – Short-lived but Memorable

Despite their captivating live shows and a killer album titled "Reign Of Evil" (1986) featuring tracks like "Mortal Agony" and the Sabbath-esque "Evil Spirit," Dark Wizard never achieved mainstream success. However, they did manage to cultivate a devoted following among fans of old-school heavy metal. Their energetic performances and horror-themed image left an undeniable mark on the Dutch metal scene.

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 – SKULL 8386

Media Format:

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

Year & Country:

1985 – Belgium

Producers:
  • Gerard Haitsma – Producer
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Roel Toering – Sound/Recording Engineer
Recording Location:

Stable Studios – Arnhem, Netherlands

Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • Paul Haverkort – Album cover photography

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.

Gerard Haitsma – Producer

Active in Dutch recording during the mid-1980s, Haitsma guided the band through the production process. His style emphasized raw performance over polish, aligning with Dark Wizard’s occult-heavy image and sound.

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.

Paul Haverkort – Photography

A Dutch photographer involved in local music projects, Haverkort’s stark and theatrical imagery supported the band’s dark metal identity. His work on the album cover reinforced the themes of evil and occult that were central to Dark Wizard’s image.

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Berto van Veen – Vocals
  • Marcel de Groot – Guitars
  • Kees Reinders – Bass
  • Tony White – Drums

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Mortal Agony
  2. Choice Of Life
  3. Judgement Day
  4. Master Of Time
Must listen: Dark Wizard - Mortal Agony
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Evil Spirits
  2. Coming Out Of The Sky
  3. Death Struggle Thriller
  4. Reign Of Evil
Video: Dark Wizard Reign of Evil
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Dark Wizard's 1985 album Reign of Evil on Mausoleum Records. Four band members stand together in striking stage outfits. Each wears leather or denim with studs, chains, and fishnet details. The members are lit by intense red, blue, and yellow stage lighting that casts dramatic highlights and shadows. The album title Reign of Evil is written in gothic lettering at the top right, while the Dark Wizard logo in bold yellow dominates the top left corner.

This is the front cover of the 1985 Heavy Metal LP Reign of Evil by Dutch band Dark Wizard, released on Mausoleum Records. The image captures all four members of the group standing shoulder to shoulder, exuding a menacing but theatrical aura that mirrors their occult-inspired music.

Each member is dressed in flamboyant metal attire: leather jackets, studded belts, striped and mesh shirts, and a sleeveless denim vest. They embody the rebellious fashion of the mid-80s metal underground, with long untamed hair and defiant expressions.

The cover is dramatically lit with a vivid mix of red, yellow, and electric blue spotlights. These lights reflect off their clothing and skin, producing a surreal glow that enhances the sinister mood. On the upper left is the Dark Wizard logo in bold angular yellow text, and on the upper right, the album title Reign of Evil appears in stylized gothic script, completing the balance between menace and mystique.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Dark Wizard's 1985 album Reign of Evil on Mausoleum Records. The layout is black with the Dark Wizard logo in yellow at the top. Below are four monochrome band portraits arranged horizontally. The album title Reign of Evil is centered in gothic type. Left and right columns list tracks for Side 1 and Side 2 with timings. Lower half contains production credits, acknowledgments, booking info, and the band member lineup. Mausoleum Records logo is printed in red at the bottom left.

This is the back cover of the 1985 Mausoleum Records LP Reign of Evil by Dark Wizard. The design is stark, using a black background to frame the essential information and imagery.

Across the top, the band’s angular yellow logo sits above four monochrome portrait photos of the musicians. Each member is highlighted individually, shown in dramatic light and shadow. Beneath, the album title Reign of Evil appears in gothic lettering.

The track listing is presented in two columns for Side One and Side Two, complete with song durations. The lower portion of the sleeve includes full credits: production by Gerard Haitsma, engineering by Roel Toering, photography by Paul Haverkort, and logo design by Eric Philippe. Booking details, acknowledgments, and the Mausoleum Records red logo are also prominently displayed, rounding off the classic 1980s heavy metal back cover style.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of Side One record label for Dark Wizard's 1985 album Reign of Evil on Mausoleum Records SKULL 8386. The label features a dramatic design with a stormy blue background and bold red Mausoleum Records logo dripping like blood. Track titles Mortal Agony, Choice of Life, Judgement Day, and Master of Time are listed with durations and songwriting credits. The label also includes SABAM rights info, 'Made in Belgium', catalog number, and credits for producer Gerard Haitsma and engineer Roel Toering.

This is a close-up of the Side One record label for Dark Wizard – Reign of Evil, issued in 1985 on Mausoleum Records with catalog number SKULL 8386.

The design uses a stormy blue background crossed with yellow lightning, topped by the blood-red dripping Mausoleum Records logo in large letters. Below, the track listing for Side One is presented with durations and full composer credits: "Mortal Agony", "Choice of Life", "Judgement Day", and "Master of Time".

Around the rim are legal warnings, performance rights society SABAM, and "Made in Belgium". Credits note that the album was recorded at Stable Studios Arnhem, produced by Gerard Haitsma, engineered by Roel Toering, and published by Makin’ Music, encapsulating the full technical and publishing details directly on the disc.

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.