VULCAIN - BIG BROTHERS 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Original French Pressing

In the vibrant French heavy metal scene of the 1980s, Vulcain emerged as a force to be reckoned with, their raw energy and rebellious spirit resonating with a generation of rock fans. Their iconic album, "Big Brothers," originally released in 1986, stands as a testament to their musical prowess and lyrical bite. This 12" vinyl LP, an original French pressing, encapsulates the essence of Vulcain's hard-hitting sound, featuring tracks that blend heavy metal riffs with infectious melodies.

With its iconic cover art depicting four masked figures representing global political leaders, "Big Brothers" is not just an album, but a statement. Prepare to immerse yourself in the sonic power and lyrical depth of this legendary French metal band as you spin this classic vinyl and experience the unadulterated energy of Vulcain in its purest form.

Vulcain's Big Brothers: A French Metal Classic
Album Description:

In the heart of the 1980s, amidst the global tensions of the Cold War, a French heavy metal band named Vulcain released their seminal album, "Big Brothers". This album, a powerful blend of hard rock and heavy metal, became a landmark in French metal history, capturing the zeitgeist of the era with its raw energy and politically charged lyrics.

Historical Context

The album's title, "Big Brothers", was a clear reference to the political climate of the time, with the cover art depicting the masked faces of world leaders like Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Mikhail Gorbachev. This imagery, combined with the band's aggressive sound, reflected the anxieties and frustrations of a generation living under the shadow of political conflict and the threat of nuclear war.

Musical Exploration

Vulcain's sound on "Big Brothers" was a unique blend of influences, drawing from the classic heavy metal of bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, while also incorporating elements of French rock and chanson. The album's lyrics were often politically charged, addressing themes of social injustice, war, and government corruption. However, the band also explored more personal themes, such as love, loss, and the struggles of everyday life.

Controversies

The album's controversial cover art and politically charged lyrics sparked debate and discussion, with some critics accusing the band of being overly provocative. However, others praised Vulcain for their willingness to tackle difficult subjects and for their unflinching critique of the political establishment.

Recording Studio and Frontman

"Big Brothers" was recorded at a time when the French heavy metal scene was still in its infancy, with few dedicated recording studios available to bands. Despite these limitations, Vulcain managed to create a powerful and polished sound, thanks in part to the leadership of frontman Daniel Puzio. Puzio's distinctive vocals and charismatic stage presence were a major factor in the band's success, and his lyrics resonated with a generation of French metal fans.

VULCAIN Band
Band Introduction:

Emerging from the fiery depths of the 1980s French heavy metal scene, Vulcain roared onto the stage with an electrifying blend of hard rock and metal, leaving an indelible mark on the genre. Often dubbed the "French Motörhead" due to their raw energy and aggressive sound, Vulcain forged their own unique path, weaving politically charged lyrics with social commentary into their music. Led by the charismatic frontman Daniel Puzio, the band's unwavering passion and rebellious spirit resonated with fans, making them one of the most influential and enduring forces in French metal history.

Vulcain's legacy extends far beyond their music, as they embodied the spirit of a generation grappling with the social and political turmoil of the era. Their iconic albums, including the seminal "Big Brothers," captured the zeitgeist of the time, addressing themes of war, injustice, and the struggles of everyday life. With their relentless touring and electrifying live performances, Vulcain cemented their status as pioneers of the French metal scene, inspiring countless bands and leaving an enduring legacy that continues to resonate with metalheads around the world.

Music Genre:

French old-school Heavy Metal 

Album Production information:

The album: "VULCAIN - Big Brothers" was produced by: Elie Benali for Riff Records and Studio Maunoir

 Elie Benali a French Producer and musician who has produced albums for the Heavy Metal bands: Attentat Rock, Bronx, Viva, Vulcain.

This album was recorded at: Studio Maunoir, Geneve , September 1986

Sound Engineer: Chris "Snoopy" Pennycate

Photography: J. Carluchi, D. Garcia, Tim Wheelan

Album Cover Design: G. Bariol

Record Label & Catalognr:

Virgin / Riff Records 70474

Media Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram 
Album Packaging:This album "Big Brothers" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details and artwork/photos.

Year & Country:

1986 Made in France 
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: VULCAIN Rock and Roll Secours
  • Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar – Daniel Puzio
  • Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals – Didier Lohezic
  • Bass, Backing Vocals – Vincent Puzio
  • Drums – Marc Varez
Complete Track Listing of: "VULCAIN - Big Brothers"

The Songs/tracks on "VULCAIN - Big Brothers" are

  1. Khadafi 04:19
  2. Le Soviet Suprême 04:25
  3. Les Plaisirs Solitaires 03:37
  4. Droles De Jeux 05:52
  5. On Nous Cache Tout On Nous Dit Rien 03:21
  6. Faire Du Rock 04:19
  7. Grand Prix 03:37
  8. 22 04:13
  9. Marylou 03:02
  10. Jeudi 19 Juin 07:00
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Vulcain's 'Big Brothers' LP featuring band members with musical instruments, posing beside four political figures wearing realistic masks, including Reagan and Thatcher. Set in a wood-paneled studio with piano and world map.

The album cover for Vulcain's "Big Brothers" presents a satirical and symbolic scene, staged inside a wood-paneled recording studio. The right half of the image features the four band members standing confidently with their instruments—two holding electric guitars, one with drumsticks, and another possibly the lead vocalist—all dressed in typical 1980s metal attire with sleeveless shirts, long hair, and leather.

Dominating the left and foreground are four individuals wearing lifelike masks representing key political figures of the Cold War era. Margaret Thatcher is seated at a grand piano in a formal gray suit, looking over her shoulder. Mikhail Gorbachev stands behind the piano, distinguished by his bald head and port-wine stain. François Mitterrand leans casually on the piano lid in a white suit and striped tie. Ronald Reagan sits cross-legged on the floor in the foreground, striking a relaxed and almost whimsical pose with one hand under his chin.

The studio features visible audio equipment including Marshall amplifiers, a globe map pinned on the wall behind the piano, and closed gray curtains. The band logo "Vulcain" is prominently displayed at the top in bold red with medieval script, while the album title "Big Brothers" is handwritten in blue at the bottom right corner, just above Reagan’s foot.

The overall composition plays on the concept of political surveillance and authority ("Big Brother"), juxtaposed with the raw power and rebellion of heavy metal culture, making this cover a striking visual commentary.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Vulcain's Big Brothers LP showing the track list in a red box, band members in a studio with political masks, production credits, barcode and label info.

The back cover of Vulcain's "Big Brothers" LP is split diagonally into two key visual sections, both set against a deep red background. In the top left quadrant, a bold red rectangle lists the album’s ten tracks in white uppercase letters, including "Khadafi," "Le Soviet Suprême," "Les Plaisirs Solitaires," and "Jeudi 19 Juin."

The lower diagonal portion features a large, tilted photo of the band in the same studio setting as the front cover. They are posed dynamically with instruments and surrounded by lifelike masks of Cold War-era political figures. Ronald Reagan, still masked, now stands on the far right strumming a guitar, while the other leaders (Gorbachev, Mitterrand, Thatcher) appear to engage the band in playful interaction.

A barcode is visible in the top right corner, along with catalog numbers "70474" and "PM 262." In the lower left is a thumbnail of Vulcain’s previous album "Desperados" labeled "Rappel." On the bottom right, blue and white production credits note the album was recorded and mixed in September 1986 at Studio Maunoir in Geneva. The credits name producer Elie Benali, engineer Chris "Snoopy" Pennycate, and photographers J. Carluchi, D. Garcia, and Tim Wheelan.

Label logos for Riff Records and Virgin France S.A. (© 1986) confirm this is the original French pressing. The layout blends music and political satire, reinforcing the album’s thematic fusion of metal defiance and global critique.

Photo One of Custom Inner Sleeve
Vulcain Big Brothers custom inner sleeve photo collage showing live performances, backstage moments, and fan interactions in both color and black-and-white formats.

This inner sleeve of Vulcain's "Big Brothers" album features a dense collage of candid and dynamic photographs that document the band’s vibrant presence on and off stage. A mix of full-color and black-and-white images are arranged in overlapping fashion, giving the layout a gritty, energetic feel that mirrors the band’s raw heavy metal identity.

Central to the collage are multiple concert shots captured at the legendary Marquee Club, with the stage name clearly visible in the background. Bright stage lights highlight intense guitar solos, drum breakdowns, and crowd interaction. In some photos, red hues dominate the scene, emphasizing the fiery atmosphere of the band’s performances.

Other photographs provide intimate glimpses of the band backstage and during casual moments—laughing, jamming, and posing with fans. One image shows two members sharing a laugh with a guitar on their lap, another features a group photo with the full band in leather and denim, classic to 1980s metal fashion.

These images collectively convey a raw, behind-the-scenes look at Vulcain’s musical life, capturing the energy, brotherhood, and rebellious attitude that defined the band’s identity during the mid-1980s French metal scene.

Photo Two Of Custom Inner Sleeve
Vulcain Big Brothers inner sleeve with printed lyrics for all songs, musician credits, guest musicians, and special thanks list in a clean, text-heavy design.

This inner sleeve of Vulcain’s “Big Brothers” album offers a comprehensive printed layout of the complete lyrics for all ten tracks, meticulously organized into columns. Each song title is printed in bold uppercase letters, followed by the full lyrics in black text. The background features a subtle, abstract light pattern that adds texture without compromising readability.

The top right section includes the catalog numbers “70474” and “PM 262.” At the bottom of the sleeve, the band lineup is clearly stated: Daniel Puzio on lead guitar and vocals, Didier Lohezic on rhythm guitar, Vincent Puzio on bass, and Marc Varez on drums and percussion.

Additional sections list guest musicians (including Thierry Fremne, Pierre Male, and Shotpey Moustache) and a "Big Brother’s Special Acknowledgements" note, thanking road crew, fans, production staff, and media contributors. Notably, many credits are specific, including cities, dates, and even studio jokes and dedications in a light-hearted tone.

This insert serves both as a functional lyric sheet and a tribute to everyone involved in the production, capturing the band’s personality and gratitude while maintaining a distinctly DIY, metal-era aesthetic.

Close up of Side One record's label
Close-up of Side A label on Vulcain's Big Brothers LP with tracklist for side one, Riff Records and Virgin logos, catalog number 70474, and SACEM rights notice.

This is a close-up of the Side A center label from Vulcain’s “Big Brothers” 12" vinyl LP. The label is a vibrant red with bold black text, arranged in a clean and utilitarian style. It displays the band name VULCAIN in uppercase, followed by the album title “Big Brothers” in quotes and the label name RIFF RECORDS.

Positioned prominently to the right are the catalog number 70474 and side identifier FACE A. Below this is the SACEM rights society logo (France’s music rights agency). The label confirms the album was released in 1986 and produced by Elie Benali for Riff Records and Studio Maunoir.

Five tracks are listed: “Khadafi,” “Le Soviet Suprême,” “Les Plaisirs Solitaires,” “Drôles de Jeux,” and “On Nous Cache Tout On Nous Dit Rien.” Each entry includes duration, lyricist, and music credits. Notably, the label states “Tous droits du producteur... sont interdits,” affirming legal protection under French copyright law.

The Virgin logo is handwritten-style and appears on the right, authenticating its distribution partnership. The text "33 TOURS STEREO" at bottom left designates this as a 33 RPM stereo record.

Side Two Close up of record's label
Close-up of Side B label on Vulcain's Big Brothers LP showing tracklist, catalog number 70474, Riff Records and Virgin logos, and production and rights info.

This is the Side B label of Vulcain’s “Big Brothers” vinyl LP, featuring a clean red background and clear black text. Like Side A, it includes the band name VULCAIN, the album title “Big Brothers”, and label name RIFF RECORDS centrally aligned.

The tracklist printed at the top of the label includes: “Faire du Rock,” “Grand Prix,” “22,” “Marylou,” and the epic-length closer “Jeudi 19 Juin.” Each song lists corresponding durations and songwriting credits, primarily attributed to Daniel and Vincent Puzio and Elie Benali, under Clouseau Musique S.A..

On the right-hand side, the side indicator FACE B is printed with the catalog number 70474, and the SACEM logo again confirms licensing with the French performing rights society. The production credit notes Elie Benali as producer, working with Studio Maunoir.

Like the first side, the bottom reads “33 TOURS STEREO,” identifying the vinyl’s playback speed and audio format. The Virgin logo in handwritten script again appears prominently, affirming the album’s original 1986 French pressing and partnership with a major label.

Biography / Timeline / Discography "Vulcain" band from 1981 - 1989

Below is a summary of the Vulcain's band Biography:

1981

Vulcain founded in June 1981 with as original Band-members

Daniel Puzio - Vocals, Guitar

Vincent Puzio - Bass

July 1981

Band is joined by

Didier Lohezic - Guitar

Franck Vilatte -Drums

July / August 1981

First 1st Demo on the "Private" label with 4 tracks

1983

Vulcain records second demo on "Media 7" on Casette

The band signs with Ebony records and their track "Vulcain" is released on the compilation album "Metal Plated"

1984

First full length album:
Rock 'n' Roll Secours. Recorded by "Deviil's Records". Recorded at Studio Maunoir, Geneva
Distributed by Madrigal

1985

Franck Vilatte quits the band

Marc Varez (Drums) joins the band

Didier Lohezic leaves the band

Franck Pilant joins the band on guitar

La dame de fer (EP)

Vulcain end's it cooperation with the record label Devil's Records
The producer "Elie Benali" creates his own label "Riff Records" Distributed by Virgin records

Desperados Album
Vulcain's 2nd full length album is recorded at Maunoir Studios, Geneva, Switzerland during May to August 1985

1986

Big Brothers album
Vulcain's 3rd full length album is recorded at Maunoir Studios, Geneva, Switzerland during September 1986

1987

Live Force - album
Vulcain's first Live album is recorded during a concert on 2 May 1987 in "La Locomotive", Paris, France

1989

Franck Pilant leaves the band

Marcos Arieta joins on guitar

Transition - album

 

Index of VULCAIN Album Cover Gallery & 12" Vinyl LP Discography Information

VULCAIN - Big Brothers album front cover vinyl record
VULCAIN - Big Brothers 12" Vinyl LP

The album's title, "Big Brothers", was a clear reference to the political climate of the time, with the cover art depicting the masked faces of world leaders like Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Mikhail Gorbachev. This imagery, combined with the band's aggressive sound, reflected the anxieties

Learn more
VULCAIN - Rock 'n' Roll Secours album front cover vinyl record
VULCAIN - Rock 'n' Roll Secours 12" Vinyl LP

Released in 1984, "Rock and Roll Secours" arrived at a time when French rock was experiencing a surge in popularity, with bands like Trust and Warning leading the charge. Vulcain, with their blend of hard rock, heavy metal, and punk influences, carved out their own niche in this burgeoning scene.

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