- Mausoleum Records’ 1986 blast of Belgian Heavy Metal fury
Warhead, Belgium’s mid-80s metal shockwave, delivered “The Day After” like a detonation warning wrapped in vinyl. Recorded at Shiva Studios, Brussels, and produced by Jos “Speed Rat” Kloek, the album captures the raw urgency of a band balancing between apocalypse and adrenaline. From the speed-fueled opener “Legions of Hell” to the apocalyptic title track, it remains a fiery relic of Europe’s heavy metal underground.
Belgian Heavy Metal band Warhead released their second studio album, "The Day After," in 1986. The album featured seven tracks that showcased the band's talent for creating heavy, powerful music.
Their debut album, "Speedway," was released in 1984 and received critical acclaim in the Belgian Heavy Metal scene. The success of their debut album paved the way for the release of their second album, "The Day After."
"The Day After" was a significant album for Warhead and Belgian Heavy Metal. The album marked a shift in the band's sound towards a more refined and polished sound. The album's production was improved, which allowed the band to showcase their musical prowess. The album also featured more complex song structures, which demonstrated the band's growth as musicians.
The album's title track, "The Day After", was inspired by the fear of a nuclear war during the Cold War era. The song presents a bleak and haunting portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world. Other tracks on the album explored themes of love, loss, and the struggles of the working class.
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"The Day After" received positive reviews from both fans and critics. The album's improved production and songwriting were praised, and the band was hailed as one of the most talented Heavy Metal bands in Belgium. The album was also a commercial success, selling over 10,000 copies in Belgium alone.
Thrash Metal from Belgium
Mausoleum Records – SKULL 83109
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
1986 – Belgium
Jos "Speed Rat" Kloek – Producer
Patrick Cogneaux – Sound Engineer
Recorded at Shiva Studios, Brussels, December 1985
Eric Philippe – Album Artwork
Jan Caes – Back Cover Photography
The album cover of “The Day After” by WARHEAD is a striking piece of 1980s Heavy Metal art, designed by Eric Philippe. Set against a deep, black cosmic background, the scene erupts with a massive yellow-and-blue nuclear mushroom cloud rising from the Earth’s surface.
Within the swirling radioactive mist, a ghostly skeletal rider on a motorcycle bursts forth — a spectral figure rendered in cool grey tones, his bony hands gripping the handlebars as if tearing through the apocalypse itself. The detail of the wheels and metal frame gleam faintly through the vapor, suggesting both motion and menace.
At the top left, the band’s jagged metallic logo “Warhead” slashes through the darkness, while on the right, the title “The Day After” is hand-drawn in stark white script, its uneven lines adding to the sense of chaos and decay. Below the explosion, a glimpse of the Earth’s curvature fades into deep space, evoking the post-nuclear desolation the music embodies.
The artwork perfectly mirrors WARHEAD’s sound — fast, volatile, and apocalyptic — blending science fiction and Cold War dread into one unforgettable visual statement of Belgian metal’s raw energy.
The back cover of “The Day After” by WARHEAD radiates 1980s metal attitude with its sharp handwritten typography and stormy background design. The layout features a dark grey, woodgrain-textured backdrop across which the track listing and credits appear in jagged white lettering.
Side One includes “Legions of Hell,” “Evil Night,” and “Devil’s Church.” Side Two follows with “The Day After,” “Black Time,” “Last Night,” and “Fall Out.”
Below the song titles, production credits acknowledge Jos “Speed Rat” Kloek as producer, Patrick Cogneaux as engineer, and Eric Philippe for the striking cover design. Recording took place at Shiva Studios, Brussels in December 1985, and the back cover photography was done by Jan Caes.
Four individual band portraits line the bottom: Tyler C. (guitar) clutching his instrument with intensity, Patrick (vocals) in sleeveless attire, Evil Tyrant (bass) with his red-accented instrument, and Firedamp (drums) holding sticks in a confident pose. The Mausoleum Records logo appears vividly in red at the lower left, anchoring this classic piece of Belgian metal design.
This close-up shows the Side One record label of “The Day After” by WARHEAD, pressed by Mausoleum Records in Belgium in 1986. The surface features a dark, thunderous cloud motif with a jagged yellow lightning bolt slashing horizontally across the center.
The Mausoleum Records logo dominates the top — its bold, dripping red gothic typeface resembling molten metal, a hallmark of the label’s visual identity. Beneath it, the catalog number SKULL 83109, playback speed 33 RPM, and rights organization SABAM appear in clean white lettering, accompanied by the inscription “Made in Belgium.”
The lower section lists the three tracks of Side One: “Legions of Hell,” “Evil Night,” and “Devil’s Church.” Production and engineering credits cite Jos Kloek and Patrick Cogneaux, with publishing handled by Makin’ Music. The design conveys the underground energy and craftsmanship of Belgian Heavy Metal’s vinyl era.
"Warhead: Speedway" races onto the scene with the 12" Vinyl LP Album, a testament to the prowess of one of Belgium's few Speed Metal bands. Released on Mausoleum Records, this album encapsulates the raw power and intensity that define Warhead's contribution to the Speed Metal genre.
Warhead’s “The Day After” hit like a sharpened upgrade to their earlier chaos—Belgian Heavy Metal evolved into something leaner and meaner. Patrick Van Londerzele’s voice claws through apocalyptic riffs while the band balances fury with precision. It’s a record where underground grit meets a surprisingly disciplined firestorm.
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.