Warlock's inaugural masterpiece, 'Burning The Witches,' resonates with the thunderous echoes of German Heavy Metal. Released as a 12" LP vinyl on the Mausoleum Skull label, this album marked the genesis of Warlock's journey. Helmed by the formidable lead singer Doro (Dorothee Pesch), the record captivates with its powerful melodies and showcases the band's prowess, etching a lasting legacy in the world of Heavy Metal history.
In the world of heavy metal history, certain albums stand as timeless monuments, marking the inception of legendary bands and the ascension of iconic figures. "Burning The Witches," the inaugural album by the German heavy metal band Warlock, with the inimitable Doro (Dorothee Pesch) at the helm, holds a revered place in the genre's chronicles. This 12" LP album, encased in a skull-adorned mausoleum of sound, embodies the essence of a musical era that resonates with the fervor of metal enthusiasts.
The genesis of "Burning The Witches" can be traced back to the creative cauldron of the early 1980s, a time when heavy metal was forging its identity amid the cacophony of distorted guitars and powerful vocals. Warlock emerged as a formidable force, led by the charismatic presence and powerhouse vocals of Doro, whose contribution to the band's sonic identity remains indelible.
Produced under the watchful eye of Axel Thubeauville, "Burning The Witches" found its sonic home at Studio Klangwerkstatt, a crucible of musical innovation. The recording process was a meticulous journey, capturing the raw energy and unbridled spirit that would become synonymous with Warlock's sound. The album's production values, though rooted in the analog tape era, exude a timeless quality that continues to captivate listeners across generations.
The album's title track, "Burning The Witches," serves as a fiery manifesto, encapsulating the band's penchant for anthemic choruses and blistering guitar solos. Doro's vocals, a blend of power and emotion, soar above the rhythmic tapestry, carrying the listener into a realm where the boundaries between magic and metal blur.
The 12" LP format, a cherished relic of the vinyl era, adds a tactile dimension to the listening experience. As the needle traces the grooves, the warmth of analog sound envelops the audience, inviting them to partake in the ritualistic act of communing with the music.
Music Genre:
Heavy Metal
Album Production Information:
The album: "Burning The Witches" on Mausoleum Skull Records was produced by: Axel Thubeauville for POWERPLAY
Axel Thubeauville is a pioneering music producer and record company owner who played a crucial role in shaping the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal scene. As the founder of Metallian Music, Earthshaker Records, Aaarrg Records, and Shark Records, he launched numerous legendary bands. His dedication to underground metal remains unmatched. Learn more in his biography.
Executive Producer: Peter Zimmerman
Recorded at: Studio Klangwerkstatt, Dusseldorf, Germany, November 1983
Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Ralf Hubert
Ralph "Ralf" Hubert – Record Producer, Sound Engineer, Musician
He is the guy who can make a mid-budget German metal band sound like it had a plan all along. Read more...
Ralph "Ralf" Hubert is the kind of German studio hawk who makes a band sound sharper than they actually are (a compliment). Back in Sep-Nov 1984 I can place him behind the desk at Sound-Partner Studio in Kirchhellen, engineering Stormwind sessions with that clean, metallic bite. From 1985 onward he stepped out from the control room as bassist, writer and guiding hand in Mekong Delta, where precision riffing and surgical low-end are the whole religion. Across the late 1980s and beyond, his name keeps popping up in metal credits-usually where the drums are tight and the guitars stop flapping. Producer, engineer, musician: the link between sweaty rehearsal rooms and the cold, exacting final mix.
Remix Engineers: Rainer Assmann, Henry Staroste
Cover Concept: Nico Chiriatti
Cover design: Blueprint, Patrick Meeze,
Notes on the production team:
Record Label & Catalognr:
Mausoleum - SKULL 8325
Media Format:
12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
Year & Country:
1984 Belgium
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: WARLOCK Burning The Witches Doro Mausoleum Skull
Band-members, Musicians and Performers
Dorothee Pesch aka DORO - Lead Vocals
Peter Szigeti - Guitars
Rudy Graf - Guitars
Frank Rittel - Bass
Michael Eurich - Drums
Complete Track-listing of the album "WARLOCK Burning The Witches Doro Mausoleum Skull"
The detailed tracklist of this record "WARLOCK Burning The Witches Doro Mausoleum Skull" is:
Track-listing Side One:
Signs of Satan
After the Bomb
Dark Fade
Homicide Rocker
Without You
Track-listing Side Two:
Metal Racer
Burning the Witches
Hateful guy
Holding Me
High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover "WARLOCK Burning The Witches Doro Mausoleum Skull"
This is the front cover of the album Burning the Witches by Warlock. The artwork features a dark fantasy theme, depicting a menacing, goblin-like sorcerer wearing tattered green robes and a pendant with an alchemical or mystical symbol. The sorcerer appears to be performing some form of ritual on a stone altar, where a small, blonde female figure—possibly representing a witch—is bound and surrounded by flames. The setting includes a dark, ominous background with a full moon visible, enhancing the supernatural atmosphere. The title text, Burning the Witches, is displayed prominently at the top in bold, stylized white and red lettering, accompanied by Warlock’s iconic logo. The overall design reflects the album’s heavy metal identity and themes of mysticism and dark magic.
Album Back Cover Photo of "WARLOCK Burning The Witches Doro Mausoleum Skull"
The back cover of Warlock’s Burning the Witches album features a black-and-white promotional photo of the band. The image showcases the five band members standing together, exuding a classic 1980s heavy metal aesthetic. At the center is Dorothee Pesch (Doro), the vocalist, dressed in a striking outfit with studded armwear, embodying a powerful stage presence. Flanking her are the band members: Peter Szigeti (guitar), Rudy Graf (guitar), Frank Rittel (bass), and Michael Eurich (drums), all clad in typical heavy metal attire, including leather jackets, studded bracelets, and long hair.
The band photo is framed on a black background, with the tracklisting for Side One and Side Two printed in green text at the top. The Warlock logo appears prominently in red, above the photo. To the right of the logo, the names and roles of each band member are listed. Below the photo, credits for the album’s production, recording studio, and contributors are included, along with a note of appreciation to fans and collaborators. The back cover is finished with the Mausoleum Records logo and details at the bottom.
Photo of "WARLOCK Burning The Witches Doro Mausoleum Skull" 12" LP Record - Side One:
Photo of "WARLOCK Burning The Witches Doro Mausoleum Skull" 12" LP Record - Side Two:
Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
The genesis of "Burning The Witches" can be traced back to the creative cauldron of the early 1980s, a time when heavy metal was forging its identity amid the cacophony of distorted guitars and powerful vocals
WARLOCK - Hellbound (Germany and Holland Releases)
The band's distinctive style blended elements of traditional heavy metal with the raw intensity of European power metal "Hellbound", their second studio album, solidified their position as a force to be reckoned with in the genre.
WARLOCK - Triumph and Agony (West-German and Netherlands Release)
Warlock’s "Triumph and Agony" (1987) stands as the band’s defining statement, driven by Doro Pesch’s commanding voice and anthems like "All We Are". Produced by Joey Balin at New York’s Power Station, it fuses German heavy metal grit with international appeal, capturing the energy and drama of the late 1980s metal era.
Warlock's driving force was the inimitable Doro Pesch, a powerhouse vocalist with undeniable stage presence. Her raw energy and soaring vocals on tracks like "Fight For Rock," epitomized the spirit of classic 80s heavy metal.
