- Noise Records
This album "First Strike" by the German Speed Metal band: Warrant , is their first official recording and contains 6 tracks. The album front cover artwork was done by Phil Lawvere a cover illustrator in Berlin in the early eighties, when thrash metal was born. He created covers for bands such as Celtic Frost, Rage, Kreator, Vendetta, Death Row, and Helloween. The photo of the Warrant band on the back cover was taken by Fred Baumgart. A photographed since the mid-1980's several German Heavy Metal bands, including: Warrant, Ballantinez, Kreator, Rage, Deathrow, Voivod, Tankard.
This web page has photos of album covers, inner sleeves, record labels together with production details, musicians and track-listing.
Emerging in the midst of Germany's burgeoning thrash metal scene, Warrant's "First Strike" EP, released in 1985 on Noise Records, was a raw and aggressive introduction to the band's sound.
Historical Context
1985 was a pivotal year for thrash metal, with bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Kreator releasing seminal albums. In Germany, the scene was particularly vibrant, with a wave of young bands eager to make their mark. Warrant's "First Strike" was a product of this exciting time, capturing the raw energy and rebellious spirit of the era.
Musical Exploration
"First Strike" showcased Warrant's unique blend of thrash and speed metal, with lightning-fast riffs, pummeling drums, and aggressive vocals. The songs were short, sharp, and to the point, reflecting the band's youthful energy and DIY ethos. Lyrically, the EP explored themes of rebellion, social commentary, and the darker side of human nature, resonating with a generation of disillusioned youth.
Production Team and Studio
The EP was produced by Horst Müller, a veteran of the German metal scene who had worked with bands like Helloween and Grave Digger. The recording took place at Caet Studio in Berlin, a well-known facility for its work with underground metal bands. Despite the limited budget, Müller managed to capture the raw power and intensity of Warrant's sound.
Musicians and Frontman
Warrant's lineup on "First Strike" consisted of:
WARRANT's First Strike 12" Vinyl LP delivers an electrifying taste of German heavy metal straight from the heart of the 1980s. The record kicks with raw power, blending high-octane guitar riffs and gritty vocals that capture the band's rebellious edge. This debut serves as a punchy prelude to the rising European metal scene, laying down relentless energy across every track—a fierce strike for any metal enthusiast's collection.
Music Genre: Speed Metal |
Album Production information: The album: "WARRANT - First Strike" was produced by: Horst Müller and Warrant 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 Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Horst Müller This album was recorded at: Caet Studio, Berlin, Germany Caet Studios 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. 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 designer and illustrator known for his iconic contributions to the world of metal album art. Learn more about Phil Lawvere Cover Layout: L+Z Grafik Design 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. Album cover photography: Fred Baumgart |
Record Company & Catalog number:
Noise - N0019
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Media Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone RecordTotal Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
Year and Country: 1985 Germany |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: WARRANT - First Strike |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "WARRANT - First Strike" |
The detailed tracklist of this record "WARRANT - First Strike" is:
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High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover "WARRANT - First Strike" |
Album Back Cover Photo of "WARRANT - First Strike" |
Photo of "WARRANT - First Strike" 12" LP Record - Side One: |
Photo of "WARRANT - First Strike" 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 ) |