Deathrow - Raging Steel - EEC 12" VINYL LP ALBUM

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Produced by Harris Johns.
Cover painting by Phil Lawvere  
Photography by: Fred Baumgart

  Harris Johns is a European music producer, active since the late-1970s in the heavy metal and punk scene, working for a lot of big-name bands, such as Helloween, Coroner, Tankard, Sodom, Voivod, Kreator, Exumer, Ratos de Porão, Slime, Daily Terror and many others. Most of his productions were recorded at his studio Music Lab Berlin Studio. After 10 years recording in a former guest house in the countryside near Berlin, which he called Spiderhouse, he reopened the Music Lab Berlin in 2007 and gave it up 2016. He is still producing and teaching music production skills. Here is a list of albums (during the 1980s on which Harris Johns has worked.

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 28 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.

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. .

  Fred Baumgart photographed since the mid-1980's several German Heavy Metal bands, including: Warrant , Ballantinez , Kreator , Rage , Deathrow , Voivod , Tankard .

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Band Members and Musicians on: Deathrow Raging Steel

Deathrow's Band-members, Musicians and Performers
• Milo
• Sven Flugge
• Markus Hahn
• Thomas Priebe

Background information on the members of Deathrow:

Milo Van Jaksic - Vocals, Bass. Timeline:
- 1984-1986 Samhain
- 1986...1994 Deathrow

Sven Flügge - Guitars. TImeline:
- 1984-1986 Samhain
- 1986...1994 Deathrow

Thomas Priebe - Guitars. Timeline
- 1984-1986 Samhain
- 1986-1987 Deathrow

Markus Hahn - Drums. Timeline:
- 1984-1986 Samhain
- 1986-1994 Deathrow

Track Listing of: Deathrow Raging Steel

Side One:
1. The Dawn
2. Raging Steel
3. Scattered by the Wind
4. Dragon's Blood
5. The Thing Within

Side Two:
1. Pledge to Die
2. Mortal Dread
3. The Undead Cry
4. Beyond the Light