LIVING DEATH - Watch Out - 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Swiss Pressing EarthShaker Records

Album cover of “Watch Out!” by Living Death featuring the band members dressed in spiked and studded leather outfits, posing in an industrial setting with flames on the floor, sharp jagged band logo in yellow and red, and album title in bold yellow text.

This is the extremely rare and hard to find Swiss release of Living Death's Watch Out ,   Because of the small market size (more often record were imported from Germany, France, or Holland) in Switzerland, This Swiss edition was pressed in limited quantities. This web-page has hi-res photos of the album covers, record label and a detailed description.

"Watch Out," Album Description:

In the vibrant tapestry of heavy metal's history, certain albums and releases stand out as rare gems, coveted by collectors and enthusiasts alike. One such masterpiece is Living Death's "Watch Out," and what makes it even more intriguing is the Swiss pressing on Earth Shaker records. This Swiss edition adds a layer of exclusivity and scarcity to an already remarkable album.

The time period in which Living Death's "Watch Out" emerged is crucial to understanding its significance in the metal landscape. The album was originally released in 1985, a time when the heavy metal scene was experiencing a dynamic evolution. The mid-1980s witnessed the rise of thrash metal, a genre that blended the aggression of punk with the technical prowess of traditional heavy metal. Living Death, a German thrash metal band formed in 1981, was right in the midst of this exciting musical transformation.

The decision to release a Swiss edition of "Watch Out" speaks to the unique dynamics of the Swiss music market during that era. Switzerland, with its relatively small market size compared to neighboring countries like Germany, France, or Holland, often imported records from larger markets. This fact makes the Swiss pressing of "Watch Out" a rare and sought-after treasure for collectors. The limited quantities in which it was pressed only add to its scarcity, making it a must-have for dedicated enthusiasts.

Earth Shaker records, the label responsible for this Swiss pressing, played a crucial role in bringing metal music to audiences in Switzerland. The label's involvement in releasing Living Death's "Watch Out" not only contributed to the band's recognition in the Swiss metal scene but also left an indelible mark on the country's musical landscape.

The uniqueness of this Swiss edition extends beyond its scarcity; it provides a glimpse into the global spread of heavy metal music during the 1980s. The fact that Living Death's work resonated with fans in Switzerland to the extent that a local pressing was deemed necessary underscores the international appeal of the genre.

Album Production Information

Music Genre:

German Speed Thrash Metal

Collector's Information:

  Rare Swiss Pressing of "Watch Out"

Album Production Information:

The album: "Watch Out" was produced by: Axel Thubeauville for Metallian Music

  • Axel Thubeauville – Music producer, record company owner

    One of those Essen metal fixers who seemed to have a hand on the faders, the contracts, and the pressing plant at the same time.

    Axel Thubeauville is the kind of German metal operator I learned never to ignore: while digging through 1980s heavy metal albums, I kept running into his name on dozens of sleeves, and sooner or later it dawned on me that this was no minor credit but one of the men quietly shaping the heavy metal scene from behind the desk. Out of Essen, he opened Earthshaker in 1983 to get Steeler on wax, then produced Brainfever in 1983-1986, Steeler in 1984-1985, Warlock in 1984, and Living Death across 1984-1985. By 1986 he had moved into Shark and Aaarrg territory, helping bring acts such as Sepultura, Stratovarius, and Virgin Steele to the German market. In the 1990s he stayed active as executive producer for Virgin Steele in 1994-1995 and At Vance in 1999-2001. I never saw him as a mere office man; he was one of the engine-room characters who kept German metal pressed and moving.

    • Sound Engineer: Ralf Hubert

  • Ralph "Ralf" Hubert – Record Producer, Sound Engineer, Musician

    He is the guy who can make a mid-budget German metal band sound like it had a plan all along.

    Ralph "Ralf" Hubert is the kind of German studio hawk who makes a band sound sharper than they actually are (a compliment). Back in Sep-Nov 1984 I can place him behind the desk at Sound-Partner Studio in Kirchhellen, engineering Stormwind sessions with that clean, metallic bite. From 1985 onward he stepped out from the control room as bassist, writer and guiding hand in Mekong Delta, where precision riffing and surgical low-end are the whole religion. Across the late 1980s and beyond, his name keeps popping up in metal credits-usually where the drums are tight and the guitars stop flapping. Producer, engineer, musician: the link between sweaty rehearsal rooms and the cold, exacting final mix.

    • Recorded and mixed at Studio Wahn, Bochum.

    Published by Rumpelstilz Music, Switzerland

    Corona Musikunternehmungen GMBH

    Record Label & Catalognr:

    Earth Shaker ESM 4007

    Media Format:

    12" Vinyl 45Rpm EP   Gramophone Record
    Album weight: 200 gram  

    Year & Country:

    1985 Made in Switzerland

    Band Members and Musicians on: Living Death Watch Out
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Thorsten Bergmann (Vocals)
    • Frank Fricke (Guitar)
    • Reiner Kelch (Guitar)
    • Dieter Kelch (Bass)
    • Andreas Oberhoff (Drums)

     


    Complete Track Listing of: "Watch Out"

    The Song/tracks on "Watch Out" are

      Side One:
    • Watch Out
      Side Two:
    • You and Me (Remixed version)
    • Heavy Metal Hurricane
    • Nightlight
    Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Living Death Watch Out
    Large Hires Photo

    This is the album cover for Watch Out! by the German speed and thrash metal band Living Death. The artwork embodies the raw energy and rebellious spirit of 1980s metal culture.

    The cover features the band members in full heavy metal regalia—leather outfits adorned with spikes and studs, chains, and bullet belts—posing against a grimy industrial setting. Flames on the floor add an intense, chaotic vibe, reflecting the aggression of their music. The band members’ poses and facial expressions exude defiance and power, capturing the essence of the speed and thrash metal genre.

    The band’s logo, ‘Living Death,’ is emblazoned in sharp, jagged lettering with fiery yellow and red accents, giving it a dangerous and electrifying look. Below, the album title, Watch Out!, appears in bold yellow text, emphasizing urgency and alertness.

    This cover perfectly encapsulates the sound and attitude of Living Death—raw, aggressive, and unapologetically metal.

    Photo of "Watch Out" Album's Back Cover  
    Back cover of the Watch Out! album by Living Death featuring a skeletal warrior illustration in spiked armor and a horned helmet on a black background, the band’s white jagged logo, band member credits, production details, special thanks, and distribution information by Earthshaker Records

    The back cover of Watch Out! by Living Death exudes a dark and ominous aesthetic, consistent with the heavy metal genre. Dominated by a black background, it features a striking monochromatic illustration of a skeletal warrior clad in spiked armor and a horned helmet, wielding a massive sword. This figure embodies the menacing themes often associated with thrash metal.

    The band’s logo, ‘Living Death,’ is prominently displayed in sharp, jagged lettering in white, reinforcing the intensity of their branding. To the right of the artwork is a detailed credits section listing the band members:

    Production details are provided below, crediting Axel Thubeauville for production and Ralf Hubert as the engineer. The recording and remixing locations, Studio Wahn in Bochum, are mentioned, alongside special thanks to individuals and fans.

    At the bottom, the distribution and label information are noted: Corona Musik GmbH and Earthshaker Records, with their respective addresses and contact details. The vivid imagery and meticulous details encapsulate the dark, aggressive spirit of the album.

    Close-up Photo of "Watch Out" Record Label 
    Record label of the “Watch Out!” album by Living Death, featuring the Earthshaker Records logo in red with jagged edges, SUISA copyright logo, LC 9001 label code, catalog number ESM 4007, and legal copyright information on a white background

    This is the record label of the Watch Out! album by Living Death, released under Earthshaker Records. The label has a clean white background with the Earthshaker logo at the top, prominently displayed in bold red lettering featuring a jagged, lightning-like design that reflects the energy of the record.

    The label includes the catalog number ESM 4007 and specifies the format as Side A, Stereo, and 45 T (45 RPM). Key legal and production information is printed along the edges, emphasizing copyright protections and the rights of the producer and owner.

    The SUISA logo is displayed on the left side, indicating affiliation with the Swiss copyright society responsible for protecting musical rights. Nearby, the LC 9001 code is present, which is the Label Code used to identify Earthshaker Records for licensing purposes. Additional credits are included for the production, mixing, and publication of the record, along with the copyright year 1985 and the label’s association with Corona Musikunternehmungen GmbH.

    Living Death: The Thrash Metal Legends from Germany

    Band Description:

      Living Death was a German thrash metal band that formed in 1981 in Velbert, a city in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The band is regarded as one of the pioneers of the German thrash metal scene, along with bands like Kreator, Sodom, and Destruction. Living Death was known for their fast and aggressive style of music, combined with dark and satanic lyrics that often dealt with death, horror, and the occult.

      History

      Living Death was formed in 1981 by guitarist Frank Fricke, bassist Dieter Kelch, drummer Reiner Kelch, and vocalist Thorsten Bergmann. The band released their debut album, "Vengeance of Hell," in 1984, which was well-received by both critics and fans of the genre. The album featured fast and aggressive thrash metal tracks like "You and Me," "Heavy Metal Hurricane," and "Nightlight," and established Living Death as a force to be reckoned with in the German thrash metal scene.

      Living Death went on to release several more albums throughout the 1980s, including "Protected from Reality" (1987), "Worlds Neuroses" (1988), and "Killing in Action" (1991). The band's sound evolved over time, with later albums featuring more complex arrangements and a more polished production. However, Living Death never lost their signature aggressive style, and their music continued to be well-received by thrash metal fans around the world.

      Legacy

      Living Death's influence on the thrash metal genre cannot be overstated. Along with other German thrash metal bands like Kreator, Sodom, and Destruction, Living Death helped to establish Germany as a major center of the thrash metal scene in the 1980s. The band's fast and aggressive style of music, combined with dark and satanic lyrics, set the template for many thrash metal bands that followed.

      Living Death's music continues to be revered by thrash metal fans around the world, and the band's influence can be heard in the music of many modern thrash metal bands. Despite never achieving the same level of commercial success as some of their peers, Living Death remains a cult favorite among thrash metal fans, and their legacy as pioneers of the genre is secure.

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      LIVING DEATH - Watch Out! 12" LP

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