Album
Production information:
The album: "WARRANT - First Strike" was produced by:
Horst Müller and Warrant
Sound/Recording Engineer(s):
Horst Müller
This album was recorded at:
Caet Studio, Berlin, Germany
In the world of music, certain studios hold an iconic status due to their rich history and the multitude of talented artists who have graced their halls. One such studio is Caet Studios, located in the vibrant city of Berlin, Germany. Renowned for its exceptional sound recording capabilities, Caet Studios has become synonymous with the German Heavy Metal scene, serving as a creative hub for numerous influential bands during the 1980s.
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The 1980s marked a golden era for Heavy Metal music, with the genre reaching new heights of popularity and cultural significance. German Heavy Metal bands, in particular, emerged as a force to be reckoned with, capturing the attention of both domestic and international audiences. Among these bands were Celtic Frost, Running Wild, and Destruction, who utilized Caet Studios as their creative sanctum.
Celtic Frost, a pioneering group in the Extreme Metal subgenre, left an indelible mark on the music world with their groundbreaking albums. Caet Studios served as the birthplace of their magnum opus, "To Mega Therion," released in 1985. The studio's pristine acoustics and state-of-the-art equipment allowed Celtic Frost to craft a sound that was as dark and atmospheric as their lyrical themes. Songs like "Circle of the Tyrants" and "Necromantical Screams" resonated with fans and established Celtic Frost as one of the most innovative and influential Metal bands of their time.
Running Wild, known for their pirate-themed anthems and energetic live performances, also found solace within the walls of Caet Studios. Their album "Under Jolly Roger," released in 1987, solidified their status as a leading force in German Heavy Metal. Caet Studios provided Running Wild with the ideal environment to capture their raw energy and intricate instrumentation, resulting in a record that showcased their trademark blend of speed and melody. Tracks like the eponymous "Under Jolly Roger" and "Raise Your Fist" became instant classics and continue to resonate with fans to this day.
Destruction, a band synonymous with the German Thrash Metal movement, sought refuge in Caet Studios to unleash their sonic assault. Their album "Infernal Overkill," released in 1985, epitomized the aggression and intensity that characterized the Thrash Metal genre. With Caet Studios' expertise, Destruction meticulously crafted a sonic landscape that showcased their breakneck speed and razor-sharp riffs. Tracks like "Total Desaster" and "Bestial Invasion" became anthems for the thrashing masses, solidifying Destruction's position as one of the genre's titans.
While Celtic Frost, Running Wild, and Destruction are just a few of the notable bands that graced Caet Studios during the 1980s, countless others followed suit. The studio's reputation for excellence attracted a multitude of emerging and established Heavy Metal acts, all eager to harness the power of its remarkable acoustics and cutting-edge recording equipment. Caet Studios became a pilgrimage site for musicians, offering a sanctuary where creativity and sonic innovation thrived.
Beyond its technical prowess, Caet Studios fostered a sense of community within the German Heavy Metal scene. Bands not only shared the same recording space but also collaborated and inspired one another, pushing the boundaries of the genre. The legacy of Caet Studios extends beyond the music it helped create, representing a pivotal era in German Heavy Metal history and leaving an indelible mark on the global music landscape.
Album cover design:
Warrant
Cover Painting: Phil Lawvere (Artwork)
Phil Lawvere is an acclaimed artist and illustrator known for his iconic contributions to the world of metal album art. Through his distinct visual style, Lawvere has created some of the most recognizable and influential album covers in the history of heavy metal music. His dark, intricate, and often controversial artworks have left an indelible mark on the genre, solidifying his status as a legendary figure within the metal community.
Phil Lawvere was born on 28 February 1960, in Stuttgart, Germany. From a young age, he demonstrated a keen interest in art, fueled by his passion for music and the burgeoning rock and metal scene. Lawvere drew inspiration from the works of artists like H.R. Giger and Salvador Dalí, as well as from the intense and raw energy of metal music itself. These influences would later become instrumental in shaping his unique artistic vision.
Lawvere's breakthrough in metal album art came in the late 1980s when he was commissioned to create the cover artwork for German thrash metal band Kreator's sophomore album, "Pleasure to Kill" (1986). This gritty and macabre artwork, depicting a tortured corpse, perfectly captured the aggressive and visceral nature of the band's music. The cover quickly became iconic and set the stage for Lawvere's future contributions to the genre.
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Lawvere's distinct style, characterized by intricate details, dark imagery, and a penchant for controversy, has graced the covers of numerous seminal metal albums. His work on Celtic Frost's "Emperor's Return" (1985) and "To Mega Therion" (1985) albums showcases his ability to capture the band's dark and mystical themes. The cover art for Rage's "Reign of Fear" (1986) and "Execution Guaranteed" (1987) albums stands as a testament to Lawvere's skill in translating intense emotions into visual form.
Throughout his career, Lawvere's art has courted controversy and faced censorship due to its graphic and provocative nature. His cover for Kreator's "Flag of Hate" EP (1986), depicting a mutilated angel, caused a stir and was subsequently censored in several countries. Similarly, his artwork for Celtic Frost's "To Mega Therion", featuring a provocative and occult-inspired scene, sparked debates and contributed to the band's notoriety. Despite these challenges, Lawvere's unapologetic approach to his art has become an essential element of his legacy.
Lawvere's artistic contributions extend beyond album covers. He has also created logos and additional artwork for bands such as Helloween, Tankard, and Whiplash, further cementing his influence on the metal aesthetic. Additionally, Lawvere has worked as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer, showcasing his versatility and mastery of various artistic mediums.
Phil Lawvere's impact on metal album art cannot be overstated. His unique and evocative visual style has influenced subsequent generations of artists and has become synonymous with the genre itself. The dark and atmospheric worlds he creates through his artwork serve as a visual representation of the music's intensity and power. Lawvere's contributions have elevated album covers to the realm of art, making them an integral part of the metal experience.
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Cover Layout: L+Z Grafik Design
Album cover photography: Fred Baumgart
Horst Mueller
- a sound engineer from Germany and has engineered the records of several German Metal bands, notable Destruction, Running Wild, Warrant and the Swiss Celtic Frost band, as well as many others. He has used several different aliases/pseudonyms, aliases used by Horst Mueller include: Horst "Hoddle" Muller, Horst H.I.F. "The Crazy Frog" Muller, Horst "The Only One" Muller, "Mad" Horst Muller
Phil Lawvere is an acclaimed artist and illustrator known for his iconic contributions to the world of metal album art. Through his distinct visual style, Lawvere has created some of the most recognizable and influential album covers in the history of heavy metal music. His dark, intricate, and often controversial artworks have left an indelible mark on the genre, solidifying his status as a legendary figure within the metal community.
Phil Lawvere was born on 28 February 1960, in Stuttgart, Germany. From a young age, he demonstrated a keen interest in art, fueled by his passion for music and the burgeoning rock and metal scene. Lawvere drew inspiration from the works of artists like H.R. Giger and Salvador Dalí, as well as from the intense and raw energy of metal music itself. These influences would later become instrumental in shaping his unique artistic vision.
Lawvere's breakthrough in metal album art came in the late 1980s when he was commissioned to create the cover artwork for German thrash metal band Kreator's sophomore album, "Pleasure to Kill" (1986). This gritty and macabre artwork, depicting a tortured corpse, perfectly captured the aggressive and visceral nature of the band's music. The cover quickly became iconic and set the stage for Lawvere's future contributions to the genre.
Read more...
Lawvere's distinct style, characterized by intricate details, dark imagery, and a penchant for controversy, has graced the covers of numerous seminal metal albums. His work on Celtic Frost's "Emperor's Return" (1985) and "To Mega Therion" (1985) albums showcases his ability to capture the band's dark and mystical themes. The cover art for Rage's "Reign of Fear" (1986) and "Execution Guaranteed" (1987) albums stands as a testament to Lawvere's skill in translating intense emotions into visual form.
Throughout his career, Lawvere's art has courted controversy and faced censorship due to its graphic and provocative nature. His cover for Kreator's "Flag of Hate" EP (1986), depicting a mutilated angel, caused a stir and was subsequently censored in several countries. Similarly, his artwork for Celtic Frost's "To Mega Therion", featuring a provocative and occult-inspired scene, sparked debates and contributed to the band's notoriety. Despite these challenges, Lawvere's unapologetic approach to his art has become an essential element of his legacy.
Lawvere's artistic contributions extend beyond album covers. He has also created logos and additional artwork for bands such as Helloween, Tankard, and Whiplash, further cementing his influence on the metal aesthetic. Additionally, Lawvere has worked as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer, showcasing his versatility and mastery of various artistic mediums.
Phil Lawvere's impact on metal album art cannot be overstated. His unique and evocative visual style has influenced subsequent generations of artists and has become synonymous with the genre itself. The dark and atmospheric worlds he creates through his artwork serve as a visual representation of the music's intensity and power. Lawvere's contributions have elevated album covers to the realm of art, making them an integral part of the metal experience.
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Karl-Ulrich Walterbach is a prominent figure in the German heavy metal music scene. He is best known as the founder and owner of Noise Records, a renowned record label that played a significant role in the development and promotion of heavy metal music, particularly in Germany.
Walterbach founded Noise Records in 1983 in Berlin, Germany. The label quickly gained recognition for signing and releasing albums by some of the most influential bands in the heavy metal genre. Under Walterbach's leadership, Noise Records became synonymous with the German thrash metal movement of the 1980s, which included bands like Helloween, Kreator, and Running Wild.
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Walterbach's vision and passion for heavy metal music led him to become not only a label owner but also a producer and executive producer for numerous albums. He played a crucial role in shaping the sound and production of many German heavy metal records during the 1980s and 1990s.
These albums, along with countless others, played a crucial role in establishing Noise Records as a powerhouse label for heavy metal music. Walterbach's dedication to the genre and his ability to spot and nurture talent helped shape the landscape of German heavy metal.
However, it's important to note that Noise Records faced financial difficulties in the late 1990s, leading to its acquisition by Sanctuary Records in 2001. Despite the label's eventual dissolution, Walterbach's contributions to the heavy metal music industry and his impact on the German scene remain significant. His work as a producer and executive producer, as well as his role in founding and running Noise Records, solidified his reputation as a key figure in the history of German heavy metal.
L+Z Grafik Design,
a number of graphics artists have been working at "L+Z Grafik Design" and creating the album cover artwork for bands like: "Warrant", "Witch Hunter", Rage. Graphics artists which worked for L+Z Grafik Design include Phil Lawvere and Ken Kelly.
Fred Baumgart photographed since the mid-1980's several German Heavy Metal bands, including: Warrant , Ballantinez , Kreator , Rage , Deathrow , Voivod , Tankard .
Ken W. Kelly is an American fantasy artist and illustrator who has made a significant impact on the world of visual arts with his breathtaking creations. Born on 19 October 1946, in New London, Connecticut, Ken's early fascination with art and imagination laid the foundation for his illustrious career.
From a young age, Kelly exhibited a natural talent for drawing and painting. He found inspiration in the works of renowned artists such as Frank Frazetta and Roy Krenkel, who had a profound influence on his artistic style. Ken's passion for fantasy and science fiction genres grew, fueling his desire to bring the realms of the imagination to life through his artwork.
In the early 1970s, Ken W. Kelly gained recognition for his remarkable talent when he was commissioned to create cover art for rock albums. His iconic artwork graced the covers of albums for legendary bands such as KISS, Manowar, and Rainbow. These album covers became synonymous with the music and helped shape the visual identity of these bands, cementing Ken's reputation as a master of fantasy art.
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Ken's artwork is characterized by its vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and attention to detail. His ability to capture the essence of fantastical creatures, landscapes, and heroic figures brought his illustrations to life, captivating viewers and transporting them to otherworldly realms. Ken's unique artistic vision and technical prowess made him a sought-after illustrator for book covers, role-playing games, and collectible card games.
Throughout his career, Ken W. Kelly has collaborated with numerous renowned authors and publishers, including working on covers for novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, and Michael Moorcock. His artwork has adorned the covers of fantasy and science fiction novels, immersing readers in the worlds created by these talented authors.
Beyond his contributions to the realms of music and literature, Ken's artwork has been featured in galleries and exhibitions worldwide. His work continues to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts and aspiring artists alike. Ken's ability to convey the essence of epic battles, mythical creatures, and heroic adventures has left an indelible mark on the world of fantasy art.
Ken W. Kelly's achievements and contributions to the field of fantasy art have garnered him a dedicated fan base and numerous accolades. His artwork remains timeless, inviting viewers to step into the fantastical worlds he brings to life on canvas.
As a visionary artist, Ken W. Kelly's legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and enthusiasts, ensuring that his imagination and creativity endure in the world of fantasy art history. His ability to transport viewers to realms of awe-inspiring beauty and imagination has solidified his place as one of the most celebrated fantasy artists of his time.
Ken W. Kelly has created artwork for several notable album covers, including:
1. KISS - "Destroyer" (1976): Ken W. Kelly's artwork for this album cover features the iconic KISS band members in a post-apocalyptic setting, surrounded by flames and destruction.
2. KISS - "Love Gun" (1977): Ken W. Kelly's cover art for this album showcases the KISS band members as superheroes, with Gene Simmons as "The Demon", Paul Stanley as "Starchild", Ace Frehley as "Spaceman", and Peter Criss as "Catman".
3. KISS - "Rock and Roll Over" (1976): Ken W. Kelly's artwork for this album cover features a close-up of the iconic KISS logo, with each band member's face appearing within the letters.
4. Manowar - "Hail to England" (1984): Ken W. Kelly's artwork for this album cover depicts a warrior raising his sword in triumph, surrounded by a battlefield and an epic sky.
5. Rainbow - "Rising" (1976): Ken W. Kelly's cover art for this album features a powerful and majestic rainbow rising over a mountain landscape, with stormy clouds and lightning.
These album covers are just a few examples of Ken W. Kelly's contribution to the world of music and his ability to create captivating imagery that perfectly complements the spirit and essence of the music contained within.
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