Warlock "Triumph and Agony" 12" Vinyl LP Album

- West Germany, 1987

Album Front Cover Photo of Warlock Triumph and Agony Visit: https://vinyl-records.nl/

Warlock's "Triumph and Agony" is the West German 12" vinyl LP album released in 1987. Fronted by the legendary Doro Pesch, the record became their most successful release, featuring anthems like “All We Are” and the power ballad “Für Immer”. Produced by Joey Balin at New York’s Power Station, it combined European heavy metal roots with a polished international sound, making it a cornerstone of 1980s metal history.

Table of Contents

"Triumph and Agony" Album Description:

Warlock's "Triumph and Agony" is the West German 12" vinyl LP album that was released in 1987. This album is a significant milestone in the career of the band, showcasing their powerful blend of heavy metal and hard rock while solidifying their position as one of the leading acts in the genre.

Warlock, led by the charismatic frontwoman Doro Pesch, established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the 1980s metal scene. "Triumph and Agony" was their fourth studio album and marked a crucial point in their musical evolution. The album features a combination of intense and energetic tracks that exemplify the band's signature sound.

The album kicks off with the adrenaline-pumping "All We Are", a fist-pumping anthem that became a staple in Warlock's live performances. The song sets the tone for the rest of the album, showcasing the band's heavy riffs, thundering drums, and Pesch's powerful vocals. It is a rallying cry for unity and strength, creating an instant connection with the listener.

"Triumph and Agony" also includes standout tracks like "Für Immer" and "East Meets West". The former is a powerful ballad that showcases Pesch's emotional range as a vocalist, while the latter combines traditional heavy metal elements with Eastern influences, creating a unique and captivating sound. The album also features the intense and aggressive tracks "Metal Tango" and "Touch of Evil", demonstrating the band's ability to deliver hard-hitting and memorable songs.

One of the album's strengths lies in the musicianship of the band members. The guitar work by Niko Arvanitis and Peter Szigeti is blistering, featuring intricate solos and catchy riffs that elevate the songs to another level. The rhythm section, consisting of Frank Rittel on bass and Michael Eurich on drums, provides a solid foundation for the music, driving it forward with precision and power.

The album's production is also worth noting, as it captures the raw energy and intensity of Warlock's live performances. The sound is heavy and punchy, allowing each instrument to shine while maintaining a cohesive and balanced mix. The result is a sonic experience that immerses the listener in the band's world of heavy metal.

In terms of artwork, the album cover of "Triumph and Agony" is visually striking. It features a powerful image of Doro Pesch, donning a black leather outfit , exuding confidence and strength. The artwork perfectly complements the music within, reflecting the album's themes of triumph and resilience.

"Triumph and Agony" received critical acclaim upon its release and achieved commercial success, solidifying Warlock's position in the metal scene. The album resonated with fans, who were drawn to the band's powerful sound and Pesch's commanding presence. It remains a fan favorite and a testament to the band's enduring impact on the genre.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal

Women in Heavy Metal during the 1980s broke through barriers in what was largely considered a male-dominated scene. Vocalists like Doro Pesch (Warlock), Lita Ford, and Lee Aaron became iconic figures, proving that women could front bands with the same power and charisma as their male counterparts. These artists challenged stereotypes, influenced the visibility of women in rock and metal, and inspired future generations of female musicians across the globe.

Collector Notes / Liner Notes
  • 1: This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs, and photos of the Warlock band.
  • 2: Note: the Vertigo Swirl logo at 6 o'clock on the record's label is black/white. Other issues of this record have a black/blue swirl logo.
  • 3: "Triumph and Agony" is the fourth and final studio album by the German heavy metal band Warlock, released on 5 September 1987.
Label & Catalognr:

Orange Vertigo 832 804 (832804) / AA 832 804-1.1Y

Album Packaging

Standard sleeve.

Includes original custom inner sleeve with complete lyrics and band photos.

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Record

Year & Country:

1987 – Made in West Germany

Producers:
  • Joey Balin – Producer, Arranger
    Joey Balin was active as a producer during the 1980s, working with Warlock and other heavy metal acts. His work on "Triumph and Agony" gave the band a polished international sound, helping the album achieve commercial success in Europe and the USA.
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Steve Rinkoff – Sound Engineer
    Steve Rinkoff is an experienced engineer and producer who later worked extensively with Celine Dion and Meat Loaf, becoming known for his polished studio sound and live recording expertise.
  • Larry Alexander – Sound Engineer
    Larry Alexander was a well-regarded engineer who contributed to numerous rock and metal records of the 1980s, recognized for his technical precision in capturing high-energy performances.
  • Roy Hendrickson – Assistent Sound Engineer
    Roy Hendrickson built a long career as a studio engineer, later becoming a frequent collaborator at Power Station in New York. He went on to work with legends such as Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, and Miles Davis.
Recording Location:

Power Station – New York, USA

The Power Station was one of the most famous recording studios of the 1980s, hosting sessions by Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, and Madonna. Its state-of-the-art equipment and acoustics made it a hub for internationally successful rock and metal albums.

Photography:
  • Jochen Harder – Photographer
    Jochen Harder specialized in rock and metal photography during the 1980s, capturing iconic images for album covers and promotional material.
  • R. Harms – Photographer
    R. Harms contributed to the visual presentation of "Triumph and Agony", reinforcing the album’s heavy metal identity through bold and dramatic imagery.

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Doro Pesch – Lead Vocals
    Known as the "Queen of Metal", Doro Pesch became an international icon in the 1980s. With her commanding stage presence and powerful voice, she led Warlock to global recognition. After the band’s breakup, she launched a successful solo career that continues today, influencing countless female metal artists worldwide.
  • Niko Arvanitis – Guitar
    Arvanitis joined Warlock in 1985 for the album True as Steel, stepping in after original guitarists Rudy Graf and Peter Szigeti. His heavy, driving guitar style became central to the band’s later sound, especially on Triumph and Agony, which brought Warlock international success.
  • Tommy Bolan – Guitar
    Bolan joined Warlock for "Triumph and Agony", bringing a flashier American metal guitar style. His energetic playing and stage charisma gave the album a more international appeal, especially with US audiences. After Warlock, he pursued other projects in hard rock and metal.
  • Tommy Henriksen – Bass
    Henriksen later gained recognition as a prolific songwriter, producer, and musician. He went on to work with Alice Cooper, Hollywood Vampires, and even contributed to projects with major pop stars. His versatility made him a respected figure across genres.
  • Michael Eurich – Drums
    Eurich was Warlock’s consistent drummer, anchoring the band with his driving rhythms. He played on all four of Warlock’s studio albums, leaving a lasting mark on their discography before stepping away from the music industry.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. All We Are Single
    Released as a single and became Warlock’s best-known anthem, especially in the USA and Europe.
  2. Three Minute Warning
  3. I Rule the Ruins
  4. Kiss of Death
  5. Make Time for Love
Video: Warlock - All We Are (Official Video HD)
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. East Meets West
  2. Touch of Evil Single
    Released as a single and one of the standout tracks showcasing Doro Pesch’s commanding vocals.
  3. Metal Tango
  4. Cold, Cold World
  5. Für Immer Single
    Released as a single and became a fan favorite, sung partly in German, underlining Doro’s roots.
Video: Warlock - Für Immer
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Warlock’s 1987 album Triumph and Agony, West German Vertigo pressing. The artwork depicts a dramatic fantasy scene painted in vivid blue tones: a menacing giant face with piercing eyes peers from a hooded cloak, while in the foreground singer Doro Pesch is illustrated as a heroic, leather-clad warrior figure with flowing blonde hair, standing defiantly with fists raised, surrounded by swirling shadows and fiery hues.

The front cover of Warlock’s Triumph and Agony presents a striking fantasy-inspired painting, rendered in stormy shades of deep blue, black, and fiery orange.

Dominating the left side is the looming face of a cloaked figure, with glowing eyes that seem to stare directly at the viewer. His long hair flows outward, merging with the swirling textures of the cloak, giving the impression of movement and menace.

In contrast, the right foreground features a powerful depiction of Doro Pesch, dressed in black leather studded with metal. She is lit dramatically, her long blonde hair glowing against the shadowy backdrop, as she raises her fist defiantly in an iconic heavy metal pose.

The interplay of menace and strength—the threatening face against the commanding stance of Pesch—captures the dual themes of triumph and agony that the album title suggests. This cover embodies the spirit of 1980s heavy metal both in imagery and in mood.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Warlock’s 1987 album Triumph and Agony, West German Vertigo pressing. The artwork continues the dramatic fantasy theme: a monstrous cloaked figure with fiery eyes and snarling teeth clutches Doro Pesch in its oversized hand, her head thrown back in defiance. Behind them, ghostly faces and demonic forms swirl in blue shadows. The track listing for the album appears at the top left in white text, while label logos and credits sit at the bottom.

The back cover of Triumph and Agony builds on the album’s dark fantasy motif. A monstrous cloaked figure, with a face twisted in rage and teeth bared, dominates the left side of the composition.

In its massive hand, it grips Doro Pesch, portrayed as both vulnerable and defiant, her leather-clad body arched back, hair flowing, as she raises her arm in resistance. The exaggerated scale of the figure’s fist conveys a sense of overwhelming power.

To the right, ghostly apparitions and demon-like visages emerge from the swirling blue shadows, enhancing the menacing, otherworldly atmosphere. At the top left, the track list is printed in stark white, while label logos, copyright lines, and catalog information are aligned along the bottom.

This imagery reinforces the album’s themes of struggle, danger, and ultimate resilience, making the back cover as visually arresting as the front.

Custom Inner Sleeve – Photo One
Custom inner sleeve of Warlock’s 1987 album Triumph and Agony, West German Vertigo pressing. The design presents a black background overlaid with red spectral illustrations of skeletal and demonic figures, paired with printed song lyrics for Side One including All We Are, Three Minute Warning, I Rule the Ruins, Kiss of Death, and Make Time for Love. Production credits are listed in the upper right. At the bottom right corner, a full-color band photograph shows Doro Pesch live on stage, raising her arm triumphantly in a leather-studded outfit.

The first side of the original custom inner sleeve for Triumph and Agony combines striking design with essential content for fans and collectors.

The background is a deep black canvas accented by ghostly red illustrations of skeletal and demonic shapes, giving the page a spectral and menacing aura. Across this backdrop, the full lyrics for Side One tracks are printed: "All We Are," "Three Minute Warning," "I Rule the Ruins," "Kiss of Death," and "Make Time for Love."

In the upper right corner, production credits list Joey Balin as producer and arranger, engineers Steve Rinkoff, Larry Alexander, and Roy Hendrickson, alongside recording details and photography credits. This contextual detail roots the album firmly in its 1987 creation.

At the lower right corner, a vibrant live photograph of vocalist Doro Pesch contrasts with the darker graphics. With long blonde hair, studded leather, and her arm raised high, she exudes the commanding stage presence that made her one of heavy metal’s defining icons of the era.

Custom Inner Sleeve – Photo Two
Custom inner sleeve of Warlock’s 1987 album Triumph and Agony, West German Vertigo pressing. The second side displays lyrics for Side Two tracks East Meets West, Touch of Evil, Metal Tango, Cold, Cold World, and Für Immer. The background is black with ghostly blue textures and vivid red demonic sketches. At the lower right, a full band portrait shows Doro Pesch with her Warlock bandmates, dressed in flamboyant silver and black stage outfits that embody the heavy metal style of the late 1980s.

The second side of the original custom inner sleeve for Triumph and Agony continues the design theme with a dark, textured black and blue background, accented by vivid red spectral sketches of demons and skeletal figures.

Printed across this backdrop are the lyrics for Side Two: "East Meets West," "Touch of Evil," "Metal Tango," "Cold, Cold World," and "Für Immer." The typography is clean and contrasts strongly against the eerie artwork, ensuring readability while reinforcing the album’s dramatic tone.

In the lower right corner, a full-color portrait of Warlock is included. Doro Pesch stands at the center, framed by her bandmates, all dressed in glittering silver and black stage attire. Their styled hair and leather-studded outfits reflect the quintessential aesthetics of late-1980s heavy metal.

This side of the inner sleeve not only completes the lyrical content but also serves as a visual statement of the band’s identity at the peak of their career, combining gothic fantasy art with flamboyant rock imagery.

Close up of Side One Record Label
Side One record label of Warlock’s 1987 album Triumph and Agony, West German Vertigo pressing. The label is a bright yellow-to-orange gradient with bold Vertigo logo across the top. Below, the album title and band name are printed in black, followed by catalog number 832 804-1 / AA 832 804-1.1Y, stereo speed designation, and track list for Side One: All We Are, Three Minute Warning, I Rule the Ruins, Kiss of Death, and Make Time for Love. The lower section displays the 1987 Phonogram GmbH copyright, LC1633 code, GEMA rights society mark, and the distinctive black-and-white Vertigo swirl logo at 6 o’clock.

This close-up of Side One’s record label from Triumph and Agony reveals the distinctive layout of the West German Vertigo pressing.

The background features a vivid yellow-to-orange gradient with the bold Vertigo logo printed at the top. Centered beneath are the band’s name Warlock and the album title, followed by stereo designation and the catalog number: 832 804-1 / AA 832 804-1.1Y. The text also confirms “Made in West Germany.”

The track list for Side One is displayed clearly: "All We Are," "Three Minute Warning," "I Rule the Ruins," "Kiss of Death," and "Make Time for Love," with composer credits in parentheses. Below, production is credited to Joey Balin.

At the bottom are key collector details: the (P) 1987 Phonogram GmbH Hamburg copyright line, LC 1633 code, GEMA rights society box, and the iconic Vertigo swirl logo in black and white placed at the 6 o’clock position. This swirl detail distinguishes this edition from other pressings, which used a black/blue swirl variation.

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Updated WARLOCK - Triumph and Agony album front cover vinyl LP album https://vinyl-records.nl
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