JUGGERNAUT - BAPTISM UNDER FIRE - 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Metal blade Records Label with bloody axe

The album cover for Juggernaut's 'Baptism Under Fire' features a war-themed design. A bloodied hand with a silver ring lies lifeless among rubble, gripping a black semi-automatic pistol. Behind it, a soldier’s gas mask is partially visible through a smoky haze. The band's name appears in bold, red, jagged gothic lettering at the top, and the album title is in dripping red font at the bottom, evoking a violent, intense atmosphere.

"Baptism Under Fire," the inaugural sonic onslaught by American Thrash Metal force Juggernaut, arrives on a 12" Vinyl LP Album, adorned with the iconic metal blade and a bloody axe. Released in 1986, this debut album is a visceral manifestation of Juggernaut's arrival on the thrash metal scene. Produced by Kerry Crafton, "Baptism Under Fire" captures the band's raw intensity and marks a significant chapter in the world of American thrash metal history.

'Baptism Under Fire' Album Description:

In the heart of the 80s thrash metal explosion, Juggernaut unleashed their debut album 'Baptism Under Fire' in 1986. This raw, blistering LP on the iconic Metal Blade label, adorned with its bloody axe artwork, marked the emergence of a force within the burgeoning American thrash scene.

Produced by Kerry Crafton, 'Baptism Under Fire' delivers a no-holds-barred assault of speed and aggression. Guitarists Harlan Glenn and Eric Altshue carve out razor-sharp riffs, Scott Park's bass rumbles with menace, and Bobby Savage's vocals howl with unhinged intensity. The result is a relentless onslaught of thrash, solidifying Juggernaut's place alongside the West Coast's growing metal movement.

The album's lyrics reflect themes prevalent in thrash metal: violence, death, and rebellion against the norm. Songs like "Impaler" and "Purgatory's Child" paint dark, vivid imagery, fueling the primal energy coursing through the music. While not overtly political, Juggernaut reveled in a kind of sonic anarchy, a stark contrast to the hair metal dominating the charts.

While Juggernaut never achieved the commercial success of thrash giants like Metallica or Slayer, 'Baptism Under Fire' earned them dedicated cult status. The album's DIY attitude and relentless intensity make it an essential piece of thrash metal history, capturing a defining moment of aggression and independent spirit within the genre.

Music Genre:

Texas-based Thrash Metal

Album Production Information:

The album: "Baptism Under Fire" was produced by: Juggernaut / Bloody Skull Music and Kerry Crafton

Sound engineer: Kerry Crafton

Recorded at Studio West, Austin, Texas during March 1986

Photography Scott Sines

Record Label & Catalognr:

Metal Blade Records RR 9682

Album Packaging:

This album "Baptism Under Fire" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and photos.  

Media Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Full-Length Long-Play  Gramophone Record
Album weight: 230 gram 

Year & Country:

1986 Made in Holalnd
Band Members and Musicians on: Juggernaut Baptism Under Fire
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Harlan Glenn - Vocals
  • Eddie Katilus - Guitars
  • Scott Womack - Bass, backing vocals
  • Bobby Jarzombek - Drums

Complete Track Listing of: "Baptism Under Fire"

The Songs/tracks on "Baptism Under Fire" are

  1. Impaler
  2. Slow Death
  3. Cast the First Stone
  4. Rains of Death
  5. Cut Throat
  6. All Hallow's Eve
  7. Burn Tonight
  8. Juggernaut
  9. Purgatory's Child
  10. Blizzards
  11. Hang 'em High

Juggernaut Baptism Under Fire Album Photo Gallery

Album Front Cover Photo
The album cover for Juggernaut's 'Baptism Under Fire' features a war-themed design. A bloodied hand with a silver ring lies lifeless among rubble, gripping a black semi-automatic pistol. Behind it, a soldier’s gas mask is partially visible through a smoky haze. The band's name appears in bold, red, jagged gothic lettering at the top, and the album title is in dripping red font at the bottom, evoking a violent, intense atmosphere.

The front cover of Juggernaut's Baptism Under Fire is a striking and intense depiction of a battlefield scene. A bloodied human hand, lifeless and covered in fresh crimson, lies among sharp, pale rocks and debris. The hand wears a silver ring, contrasting with the brutality of the image. Grasped loosely within the fingers is a black semi-automatic pistol, angled toward the bottom-right corner. Behind the hand, a partially obscured gas mask with round, fogged lenses emerges from a thick, smoky haze, giving a haunting, apocalyptic feel.

The album title, Baptism Under Fire, appears at the bottom in a jagged, dripping red font, resembling blood. Above, the band's name, Juggernaut, is displayed in massive, bold red gothic-style letters, with exaggerated, pointed serifs that evoke aggression and power.

The cover’s color scheme is dominated by shades of gray, black, and red, reinforcing the themes of war, violence, and chaos. This powerful artwork, released under Metal Blade Records, is a defining visual for this thrash metal album.

Album Back Cover Photo
The back cover of Juggernaut's 'Baptism Under Fire' album features the band members in a high-contrast, fisheye-lens photograph with a dark, industrial backdrop. The tracklist is displayed in bold red text on the left and right sides, and below, individual performance shots of each member are shown. The cover also includes credits, recording details, and the Metal Blade Records logo.

The back cover of Juggernaut's Baptism Under Fire continues the album's raw thrash metal aesthetic with a visually striking design. At the top center, a dramatic fisheye-lens photograph captures the four band members standing in a tight group against a dark, industrial background, likely a chain-link fence or metal structure. Their expressions are intense, reinforcing the album’s aggressive energy.

The tracklist is displayed in bold red text on either side of the band photo: Side One includes Impaler, Slow Death, Cast the First Stone, Rains of Death, Cut Throat, and All Hallow’s Eve, while Side Two features Burn Tonight, Juggernaut, Purgatory’s Child, Blizzards, and Hang ‘Em High. The red font stands out against the black background, maintaining the album’s fierce visual theme.

Below the band portrait, four individual live performance photos showcase each member in action: vocalist Harlan Glenn, guitarist Eddie Katilius, bassist and vocalist Scott Womack, and drummer Bobby Jarzombek. These images, framed in red, reinforce the energy and intensity of their live performances.

Additional album credits are featured, including production by Juggernaut and Kerry Crafton, engineering by Kerry Crafton, and recording at Studio West, Austin, TX in March 1986. A small red Roadrunner Records sticker is affixed to the upper right corner, marking it as an import. The bottom section includes the Metal Blade Records logo, the label's address, and copyright information. The text "Manufactured in the Netherlands" is printed at the bottom edge.

Photo One of Custom Inner Sleeve
The custom inner sleeve of Juggernaut's 'Baptism Under Fire' features a high-contrast black and white live concert photograph of the band. The vocalist is seen hunched over, gripping the microphone with intensity, while the guitarist's hand reaches in from the right, strumming his instrument. The blurred background showcases another band member and stage lights. Below the image, special thanks and credits are printed, followed by a mailing address for fans seeking more information about Juggernaut.

The custom inner sleeve of Juggernaut's Baptism Under Fire album provides fans with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the band's live energy and acknowledgments. The top half prominently features a high-contrast black and white photograph capturing the band's electrifying stage presence. The lead vocalist is at the center, hunched over with raw emotion, gripping the microphone tightly, while a guitarist’s hand extends from the right, fingers strumming his instrument. In the blurred background, another band member is visible playing under the glow of bright stage lights, adding to the chaotic, immersive atmosphere.

Below the live shot, a densely packed section of text labeled Special Thanks lists numerous names and individuals who contributed to the album’s creation and the band's journey. The text is small but comprehensive, acknowledging friends, family, fellow musicians, and industry figures who supported Juggernaut.

At the bottom, an address is provided for fans seeking more information about the band. It reads: "For more information on Juggernaut, send S.A.E. to Juggernaut, 3401 Trailway Park, San Antonio, TX 78247." This reinforces the band's direct engagement with their audience, characteristic of underground and rising metal acts in the 1980s.

Close up of Side One record's label
A close-up of the Side One label from Juggernaut's 'Baptism Under Fire' vinyl record, released by Metal Blade Records. The label features the iconic Metal Blade logo—an ornate battle axe dripping blood—printed in black and red. Around the edges, a chain-like border encircles the design. The tracklist is printed in bold black text, listing six songs, including 'Impaler' and 'Slow Death.' Additional details such as the catalog number RR 9682, 'STEREO' format, 33 rpm speed, and production credits are also present.

This close-up of Side One of Juggernaut's Baptism Under Fire vinyl record label showcases the signature branding of Metal Blade Records. Dominating the upper portion of the label is the striking Metal Blade logo—an intricately detailed battle axe with a black handle, a silver blade, and a splash of red blood dripping from its edge. This visual reinforces the raw, intense nature of the album’s thrash metal roots.

The circular design is framed by a repeating chain-like border, emphasizing the rugged and metallic aesthetic. The text layout is clean yet aggressive, with the album title, 'Baptism Under Fire', displayed prominently in quotation marks. Below it, the tracklist for Side One is printed in bold black text, listing six songs: Impaler (3:24), Slow Death (2:00), Cast the First Stone (2:39), Rains of Death (3:09), Cutthroat (1:58), and Hallows Eve (3:17).

Additional production and publishing details appear below the tracklist, crediting Juggernaut as the producer and Bloody Skull Music as the publisher. The label also includes the 1986 copyright attribution to Metal Blade Records and Roadrunner Productions B.V., marking its international distribution. The catalog number RR 9682, the STEREO format, and playback speed of 33 rpm are also clearly indicated.

This label embodies the gritty, unapologetic style of 1980s thrash metal while maintaining a bold and visually commanding presence on the vinyl format.