ATOMKRAFT - Queen of Death ( Netherlands Release ) 12" Vinyl LP Album

The Dutch release of "Queen of Death" by Atomkraft, the second album by the NWOBHM band, asserts its presence on a 12" Vinyl LP Album. This Dutch edition adds a unique flavor to the album, enhancing its desirability among collectors. With album cover artwork crafted by David Parker at Fine Art, "Queen of Death" exemplifies Atomkraft's contribution to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. The Netherlands release captures a moment in the band's musical journey and adds a distinctive touch to Atomkraft's legacy in the metal genre.

Atomkraft's "Queen of Death": A Thrashing Fury from the NWOBHM

Album Description:

Released in 1986 on Neat Records, Atomkraft's "Queen of Death" 12" vinyl LP, particularly the Netherlands release, is a blistering testament to the band's prowess in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene. Formed in 1979 and disbanding in 1988, Atomkraft carved their place in the metal scene with their aggressive sound and energetic performances.

Historical Context and Genre

"Queen of Death" arrived during the mid-1980s, a time when the NWOBHM was evolving and diversifying. Thrash metal was gaining momentum, and many bands were exploring heavier and faster sounds. Atomkraft, while rooted in the NWOBHM tradition, embraced this evolution and incorporated elements of thrash into their music.

The album's music is a potent mix of classic NWOBHM and thrash metal. The vocals are aggressive and powerful, the guitars are fast and furious, and the rhythm section is tight and relentless. Songs like "Queen of Death," "Protector," and "Funeral Pyre" showcase the band's ability to blend melody with aggression, creating a sound that was both catchy and brutal.

Musical Exploration

"Queen of Death" demonstrates Atomkraft's songwriting talent and their ability to craft memorable heavy metal anthems. The album is a non-stop barrage of speed and energy, with each track showcasing the band's technical skill and raw power. The guitar solos are blistering, the drums are thunderous, and the vocals are delivered with a fierce intensity.

Lyrically, the album explores themes of death, destruction, and social commentary. The lyrics are often dark and apocalyptic, reflecting the anxieties and frustrations of the era.

Production and Recording

The album was produced by Kevin Ridley, known for his work with other NWOBHM bands like Raven and Venom. The recording took place at Impulse Studios in Wallsend, England. The production is raw and unpolished, capturing the band's live energy and intensity.

Queen of Death: Collector Notes

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This particular copy of Queen of Death by Atomkraft is a rare promotional edition, as indicated by the stamp ‘PROMOTIONAL COPY NOT FOR SALE’ on the album front cover. Such copies were typically distributed to radio stations, reviewers, and industry insiders, making them highly sought-after by collectors.

The album was manufactured in the Netherlands under license from Neat Records and marketed by Roadrunner Records, based in Amsterdam. The collaboration between Neat Records and Roadrunner ensured broader distribution of NWOBHM releases across Europe, adding historical significance to this edition. Dutch pressings like this are known for their quality.

Album Fact Sheet: ATOMKRAFT Queen of Death

Music Genre:

Speed / Thrash Metal , NWOBHM

Album Production Information:

The album: "ATOMKRAFT Queen of Death" was produced by:

Kevin Ridley for Impulse production

Kevin Ridley is a music producer, sound engineer and musician. He is from Newcastle On Tyre ( the center of the NWOBHM ) . During the 1980s he has produced / engineered music albums for bands heavy metal bands like Atomkraft, Cronos, Slutt, Tallion, Toronaga, Venom, War Machine.

Sound/Recording Engineer(s):

Keith Nichol and Kevin Ridley

Album cover design:

David Parker at Fine Art

Record Company & Catalog number / Label :

Neat Records / Roadrunner Records – RR 125.481

Record Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) Weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1986 Made in Netherlands

Collector notes:

Keith Nichol – Producer, Sound Engineer

Neat’s in-house studio hand gives "Wiped Out" that rough-edged Newcastle bite, all speed, sweat, and no velvet padding. Read more...

Keith Nichol, producer and sound engineer closely tied to the Neat Records workshop, helped shape the raw NWOBHM racket coming out of Newcastle in the early 1980s. On "Wiped Out", his production keeps Raven fast, sharp, and slightly dangerous around the edges; the sound is not polished into boredom, thank heavens, but left with enough grit to make the speakers sweat.

High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover "ATOMKRAFT Queen of Death"

High Resolution Photo Album Front Cover of ATOMKRAFT - Queen of Death ( Netherlands Release ) https://vinyl-records.nl — The album front cover of Queen of Death by Atomkraft is a striking and dramatic piece of artwork. It features a vividly rendered apocalyptic scene bathed in an ominous orange and red sky. In the foreground, a commanding female figure, the titular “Queen of Death,” dominates the composition. She stands atop rocky terrain, clad in a mix of leather and metallic attire that exudes power and menace. Her outstretched arms hold a metallic skull-like object aloft, symbolizing authority or triumph.

Her appearance is fierce, with a roaring expression and a punk-inspired aesthetic, complete with spiked accessories and fishnet details. Her pose is dynamic, embodying defiance and aggression, perfectly complementing the themes of heavy metal.

In the background, a dystopian cityscape stretches across the horizon, with crumbling buildings and an air of destruction. Notably, the Statue of Liberty appears tilted and partially destroyed, a clear nod to societal collapse or rebellion, enhancing the apocalyptic atmosphere.

The band’s logo, Atomkraft, is prominently displayed at the top in bold yellow lettering with sharp, angular lines, reflecting the energy of the NWOBHM genre. Below, the album title, Queen of Death, is styled in fiery orange and red Gothic-inspired font, reinforcing the album’s dark and fiery tone.

Album Back Cover Photo of "ATOMKRAFT Queen of Death"

High Resolution Photo Album Back Cover of ATOMKRAFT - Queen of Death ( Netherlands Release ) https://vinyl-records.nl

Photo of "ATOMKRAFT Queen of Death" 12" Record Label - Side One:

High Resolution Photo of the LP Side One of ATOMKRAFT - Queen of Death ( Netherlands Release ) https://vinyl-records.nl

The record label for Queen of Death by Atomkraft is printed on a white background and features the iconic logo of Neat Records at the top. The logo is a bold and angular design in orange, styled to resemble a thumbs-up gesture, which adds a distinct visual identity to the label.

The label includes essential album details, such as the album title, band name (Atomkraft), and producer credits for Kevin Ridley. The catalog number, “RR 125.481,” and the indication of stereo playback at 45 rpm are printed clearly, ensuring easy identification for collectors. The text is arranged cleanly in black, providing clarity against the white background.

At the bottom, the label contains publishing details and copyright information, crediting Neat Records and Roadrunner Productions B.V. from 1986. The design balances a straightforward layout with bold visual elements, making it functional yet recognizable as part of the NWOBHM and Neat Records legacy.

Photo of "ATOMKRAFT Queen of Death" 12" Record Label - Side Two:

High Resolution Photo of the LP Side Two of ATOMKRAFT - Queen of Death ( Netherlands Release ) https://vinyl-records.nl

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 ).

Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: ATOMKRAFT Queen of Death

Ian Davison Swift - Vocals
“Discover the legendary voice of NWOBHM’s Ian Swift—Avenger, Atomkraft, and heavy metal history await!”
Rob Mathew - Guitars
D.C. Rage (real name Darren Cook) - Bass
Ged Wolf - Drums (Ged Wolf and D.C. Rage are brothers)

Complete Track-listing of the album "ATOMKRAFT Queen of Death"

The detailed tracklist of this record "ATOMKRAFT Queen of Death" is:

Queen of Death
Protectors

Demolition
Funeral Pyre
Mode III

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

ATOMKRAFT - Queen of Death (Netherlands Release) 12" Vinyl LP

ATOMKRAFT - Queen of Death (Netherlands Release) album front cover vinyl record

Atomkraft’s Queen of Death Dutch release hits like a bulldozer on fire. Licensed by Neat, pushed by Roadrunner, and stamped “Promotional Copy Not for Sale,” this LP snarls with NWOBHM grit and thrash fury. The Netherlands pressing adds Euro finesse to raw British chaos, with cover art that’s equal parts apocalyptic nightmare and heavy metal gospel. Essential for diehards!

Full description of "Queen of Death" (Netherlands Release)

ATOMKRAFT - Queen of Death (UK Release) 12" Vinyl LP

ATOMKRAFT - Queen of Death (UK Release) album front cover vinyl record

Atomkraft’s Queen of Death UK release is pure, unfiltered NWOBHM chaos pressed onto vinyl with a blood-red Neat Records label. No promo stamp here—this one’s raw, straight to the fans, a thunderous blast of British metal fury. The rough edges remain intact, delivering thrash-laced anthems wrapped in dystopian artwork that screams rebellion.

Full description of "Queen of Death" (UK Release)