- The Blood-Soaked Crown Jewel of 80s Glam Metal Excess
"Lizzy Borden's 1985 album, 'Love You To Pieces,' epitomized glam metal's peak. Produced by Lizzy Borden, the collaboration with Brian Slagel and sound engineer Randy Burns created a meticulously crafted sound. Mixing at Mad Dog Studio, mastering by Eddie Schreyer, and visual aesthetics by Vince Gutierrez contributed to its iconic status. Released during glam metal's zenith, the album remains a lasting emblem of the genre's vibrant and influential era."
In the vibrant landscape of 1980s rock music, one band dared to push the boundaries of glam metal, and their name resonates with the echoes of that era – Lizzy Borden. Their sophomore effort, "Love You To Pieces," not only marked a significant milestone in the band's career but also contributed to the evolving narrative of glam metal during the mid-80s.
Produced by the enigmatic Lizzy Borden himself, the album showcased the band's evolution and solidified their presence in the glam metal scene. The contribution of "Love You To Pieces" within the context of its time lies in its ability to encapsulate the essence of the genre while introducing distinctive elements that set Lizzy Borden apart from their contemporaries.
The production of the album, overseen by Lizzy Borden, reflects a meticulous approach to capturing the glam metal sound. The collaboration with Executive Producer Brian Slagel, known for his work with Metal Blade Records, added a layer of industry expertise that elevated the album's overall quality.
Randy Burns, the sound/recording engineer, played a crucial role in shaping the sonic landscape of the record. The diverse recording locations, including Grinder Studio in Hollywood, Sun Swept Studio in North Hollywood, and Mad Dog Studio in Venice, contributed to the album's dynamic and varied sound.
The mixing and mastering process further enhanced the auditory experience. Eddie Schreyer's mastering skills, executed at the prestigious Capitol Records, added a professional polish to the final product. The choice of Mad Dog Studio in Venice for mixing reinforced the band's commitment to achieving a signature sound that would distinguish them in the competitive glam metal milieu.
Visually, the album's cover design by Vince Gutierrez captured the essence of glam metal aesthetics. The cover model, Stephanie Smith, became an iconic representation of the era's glam metal allure. Daniel Hernandez's photography skillfully translated the band's image into a visually striking album cover, contributing to the overall appeal of "Love You To Pieces."
Released in 1985, the album arrived at a time when glam metal was reaching its zenith. Its impact on the genre was undeniable, and tracks like "Council for the Cauldron" and "Psychopath" became anthems for a generation enamored with the fusion of theatricality and heavy guitar riffs.
Collector's notes ( detailed background information on the persons working on this album) Lizzy Borden's "Love You To Pieces" is a timeless heavy metal gem. Released as a 12" vinyl LP album in 1985, it showcases the band's energetic and melodic sound. With standout tracks like "American Metal" and "Rod of Iron", the album captures Lizzy Borden's dark and theatrical style. |
Music Genre: Heavy Metal |
Album Production Information: The album: "LIZZY BORDEN Love You To Pieces" was produced by: Lizzy Borden Executive Producer: Brian Slagel Brian Slagel is a pioneering figure in heavy metal, best known as the founder of Metal Blade Records in 1982. His label launched the careers of legendary bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Mercyful Fate, shaping the genre’s evolution. As a producer, he worked with Flotsam and Jetsam, Exciter, and Trouble, leaving a lasting impact.
Learn more about Brian Slagel.
Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Randy Burns Randy Burns is a renowned record producer and sound engineer who played a pivotal role in shaping heavy metal’s evolution. His work with bands like Megadeth, Death, and Kreator helped define the raw, aggressive sound of thrash and death metal. With a legacy spanning decades, his productions remain legendary. Learn more about his career here.
This album was recorded at: Grinder Studio in Hollywood, Sun Swept Studio in N. Hollywood and Mad Dog Studio in Venice. Mixed at Mad Dog Studio in Venice Mastered by: Eddie Schreyer Eddy Schreyer, a top-tier mastering engineer and founder of Oasis Mastering, has shaped the sonic intensity of heavy metal for decades. His expert touch has refined albums by Slayer, Korn, System of a Down, and Slipknot, ensuring powerful clarity and relentless aggression. With over 30 years in the industry, Schreyer remains a key figure in metal production.
Read more about Eddy Schreyer.
Mastered at Capitol Records. Album cover design: Vince Gutierrez Album Cover model: Stephaine (or Stephanie) Smith Album cover photography: Daniel Hernandez |
Record Label & Catalognr: RoadrunneR RR 9771 |
Packaging: This album "LIZZY BORDEN Love You To Pieces" includes the original custom made inner sleeve (OIS) with album production details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos |
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record Total Album (Cover+Record) Weight: 230 gram |
Year & Country: 1985 Made in Netherlands |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: LIZZY BORDEN Love You To Pieces |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "LIZZY BORDEN Love You To Pieces" |
The detailed tracklist of this record "LIZZY BORDEN Love You To Pieces" is: Track-listing Side One:
Track-listing Side Two:
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This striking 1985 album cover for Lizzy Borden's "Love You To Pieces" features a scene of provocative contrast and gothic glamor. Dominating the foreground is a woman with voluminous, teased blonde hair and a piercing gaze, lying on a tufted, royal blue velvet bed. She's dressed in black lace lingerie, garter belt, and sheer polka-dot stockings. Her makeup is intense, with bright red lipstick and dark eyeliner, embodying 1980s glam metal aesthetics.
She reclines beside an elaborately carved antique gold vanity table, which holds two ornate, old-fashioned rotary telephones with coiled cords. Behind her is a large cracked mirror that dramatically splits the composition. Reflected in the mirror—and partially obscured by its gold-veined shatter lines—is a male figure, presumably Lizzy Borden himself, dressed in full glam metal attire with long hair, black leather, and metallic accessories. He holds a bloodied axe, adding a sinister undertone to the otherwise luxurious setting.
The band logo, a jagged metallic "Lizzy Borden", floats top right in blue and silver chrome. The album title "Love You To Pieces" appears bottom right in stylized, sharp-edged white and purple script. The entire composition blends seduction, violence, and theatrical flair, encapsulating the band's shock-rock image and the excess of 1980s heavy metal culture.
The back cover of Lizzy Borden's 1985 album Love You To Pieces delivers a stark and theatrical image, drenched in horror movie flair. Set against a pitch-black background, the spotlight reveals a chilling tableau on a bare floor: a heavy, blood-smeared axe embedded upright into the ground, with a few red droplets scattered nearby. Next to it lies a single green high heel, abandoned and ominous in its solitude. The scene hints at violence without showing it directly, leaving the viewer unsettled and intrigued.
Above the image, the track listing appears in bold red and orange uppercase letters, listing all ten songs from both sides of the record. Credits follow just beneath the titles, naming Lizzy Borden as the producer, Brian Slagel as executive producer, and Randy Burns as engineer. Band personnel are listed in condensed red type on the left: Lizzy Borden (vocals), Gene Allen and Tony Matuzak (guitars), Mike Davis (bass), and Joey Scott Harges (drums).
The Roadrunner Records logo and catalog number (RR 9771) are placed in the top-right corner. At the bottom, white text outlines international distribution and manufacturing details, noting that the record was licensed from Metal Blade Records USA and pressed in the Netherlands. The overall composition reinforces the band’s blend of glam excess and macabre theatrics.
This custom inner sleeve from Lizzy Borden's Love You To Pieces LP features a striking black-and-white photo collage of the band’s 1985 lineup. Set against a dark background, each band member is individually framed in a square border, with names and roles printed in clean white type.
At the center, Lizzy Borden himself commands attention, captured mid-performance with mouth open and tongue out, clutching a theatrical prop axe while wearing a studded glove and trademark wild hair. Surrounding him are the rest of the band:
Mike Davis (top left), bassist, has long curly hair and a confident stare, wearing a sleeveless leopard-print outfit. Joey Scott Harges (top right), drummer and Lizzy’s brother, appears in a white leather vest with fluffy blonde hair and a determined expression.
Tony Matuzak (bottom left), guitarist, stands out with a bold eyepatch, sleeveless two-tone outfit, and a no-nonsense look. Gene Allen (bottom right), also on guitar, appears with flowing curly hair lit from behind like a halo, giving him a mysterious aura.
The layout evokes classic 1980s glam metal photography—gritty, dramatic, and theatrical—perfectly mirroring the band’s over-the-top visual and sonic identity.
This custom inner sleeve for Lizzy Borden’s 1985 LP Love You To Pieces is a dense collage of text content printed in crisp black on a plain white background. It features the full lyrics to all 10 tracks from the album, each arranged in neat columns. Titles such as "Council for the Cauldron", "Red Rum", and "American Metal" stand out at the top of their respective sections in bold uppercase.
On the far right column is the detailed band credits section titled “BAND”, listing the five members and their roles: Lizzy Borden on vocals, Gene Allen and Tony Matuzak on guitars, Mike Davis on bass, and Joey Scott Harges on drums. Below that, production credits cite Lizzy Borden as producer, Brian Slagel as executive producer, and Randy Burns as engineer. It also includes studio information, naming Mad Dog Studio in Venice, Sun Swept Studio in North Hollywood, and Grinder Studio in Hollywood.
Further down, the “Special Thanks” and “Extra Special Thanks” sections list numerous names—friends, supporters, and industry insiders—including Eddie Schreyer, Bill Metoyer, and members of the band Armored Saint. At the bottom right is the fan club address for the “Lizzy Borden Axe Club” located in Tarzana, California.
This inner sleeve provides both lyrical insight and a comprehensive snapshot of the album’s creative and production personnel, rounding out the theatrical and personal world of Lizzy Borden in the glam metal era.
This is a close-up photo of the Side 1 record label from Lizzy Borden's 1985 LP Love You To Pieces, released under the Roadrunner Records catalog number RR 9771. The label has a clean, minimalist design: a light grey background with red outer rim text warning against unauthorized use. The iconic red Roadrunner logo sits prominently at the top.
Printed in black, centered on the label, is the album title and artist name in all caps: "LOVE YOU TO PIECES" – LIZZY BORDEN. Just below are the five tracks on Side 1, each with full writing credits and running times:
1. Council for the Caldron (3:09),
2. Psychopath (3:39),
3. Save Me (4:03),
4. Red Rum (3:53),
5. Love You To Pieces (4:26).
At the bottom, production credits name Lizzy Borden as producer and Brian Slagel as executive producer. All songs are published by Bloody Skull Music/Bug Music. The label also includes the year 1985 and the Metal Blade Records trademark, alongside the “STEMRA” rights society marking.
This label confirms the Netherlands pressing of the album, as noted by “MADE IN HOLLAND” on the outer rim, adding collectible value for vinyl enthusiasts.
This close-up of the Side 2 record label from Lizzy Borden's 1985 album Love You To Pieces (Roadrunner RR 9771) mirrors the layout and design of Side 1: a grey label with black text, framed by red legal text around the edge and topped with the bold red Roadrunner logo.
The text displays the final five tracks of the album:
6. American Metal (5:51),
7. Flesh Eater (4:51),
8. Warfare (3:50),
9. Godiva (2:25),
10. Rod of Iron (4:28).
Each title is followed by detailed songwriting credits, showcasing the collaborative writing process between Lizzy Borden, Tony Matuzak, Mike Davis, Gene Allen, and Joey Scott Harges. As with Side 1, the label confirms production by Lizzy Borden and executive production by Brian Slagel. All songs are published by Bloody Skull Music/Bug Music.
The outer rim text reiterates copyright restrictions, and “MADE IN HOLLAND” confirms the pressing origin. This label provides not only key track data but also reinforces the LP’s collectible status as a licensed Roadrunner/Metal Blade pressing from the Netherlands.
- Lizzy Borden: A Visual & Sonic Odyssey
Delve into the macabre and mesmerizing world of Lizzy Borden through this comprehensive vinyl album discography. More than just a collection of music, this visual journey showcases the band's evolution, from their early shock-rock roots to their later, more refined heavy metal sound. Explore iconic album covers, intricate inner sleeves, and rare promotional materials that capture the essence of Lizzy Borden's theatrical and often controversial career. This is a must-have for any fan seeking a deeper understanding of the band's impact on heavy metal and its enduring legacy.
Produced by the enigmatic Lizzy Borden himself, the album showcased the band's evolution and solidified their presence in the glam metal scene. The contribution of "Love You To Pieces" within the context of its time lies in its ability to encapsulate the essence of the genre
Love You To Pieces 12" Vinyl LPLizzy Borden's 1989 masterpiece, "Master of Disguise," showcased metal prowess in a dynamic era. Produced by Alex Woltman and Elliot Solomon, mixed at Manta Sound Studio in Toronto, the album's sonic journey unfolded at Dodge City Sound. Wendy Kramer's graphics and John Zeleznik's illustration on the cover
Master of Disguise 12" Vinyl LPReleased in 1986, this iconic album showcases Lizzy Borden's prowess as a theatrical metal band, bringing a unique blend of showmanship and raw musical talent to the forefront. Produced by the Lizzy Borden Group and the legendary Brian Slagel, the album's recording engineer, Bill Metoyer, played a crucial role in capturing the band's electrifying live performance.
- The Murderess Metal Road Show (1986, Netherlands) - The Murderess Metal Road Show (1986, USA)The 1980s were a golden era for the heavy metal genre, marked by the rise of iconic bands and the release of numerous influential records. Among these, Lizzy Borden's "Terror Rising" EP stands out as a testament to the vibrant and dynamic metal scene of that time.
Terror Rising 12" Vinyl EPLizzy Borden's "Visual Lies" Picture Disc Vinyl LP is a visual and auditory spectacle. The album's striking imagery comes to life on the picture disc, while the music itself delves into a realm of dark glam metal. Tracks like "Me Against the World" resonate with the band's signature theatricality
Visual Lies 12" Vinyl Picture Disc