SCHOOL OF VIOLENCE – We The People...? 12" Vinyl LP Record/Album

- A Lost Thrash Metal Gem: Raw, Relentless, and Rebellious

Album cover of School of Violence - We The People...? featuring four distinct, intense illustrations with social and political themes: police brutality, a skull with soldiers reflected in its teeth, a skeletal graduate with a noose, and a nuclear explosion with a skeleton holding a staff

"We The People," the sole album by New York's School of Violence, encapsulates the raw power of Thrash Metal. Released in the late 1980s, the record's intense guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, and socially charged lyrics define an era of musical rebellion. Despite being the band's only official release, "We The People" remains a timeless testament to the unbridled spirit of Thrash Metal.

Essentials of: SCHOOL OF VIOLENCE – We The People...?
"We The People...?" Album Description:

n the world of Thrash Metal history, one name that resonates with a unique intensity is "School of Violence." Hailing from the vibrant metal scene of New York, USA, this band made a lasting impact with their one and only official album, "We The People." This article delves into the creation, history, and significance of this iconic 12" Vinyl LP record.

The Genesis:

The story of "We The People" begins in the heart of New York's thriving metal landscape in the late 1980s. School of Violence emerged from the crucible of the local underground scene, drawing inspiration from the raw energy of Thrash Metal pioneers. Comprising a lineup of passionate musicians, the band sought to carve its niche in the aggressive world of heavy metal.

Recording and Production:

The recording process of "We The People" was a testament to School of Violence's dedication to their craft. The album was meticulously crafted in renowned studios, capturing the band's ferocious sound with precision. Each track echoed the intensity of the era's Thrash Metal movement, with blistering guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, and vocals that cut through the sonic landscape like a serrated blade.

Musical and Lyrical Themes:

"We The People" is a sonic journey through the socio-political landscape of its time. The album's themes delve into societal issues, political unrest, and the human experience. School of Violence used their music as a platform to express discontent, rebellion, and a call for change. The lyrics, coupled with the relentless musical assault, created a potent combination that resonated with fans of the genre.

Reception and Legacy:

Upon its release, "We The People" garnered attention for its uncompromising approach to Thrash Metal. Fans and critics alike hailed School of Violence for their contribution to the genre, praising the album's aggression, musical complexity, and thought-provoking lyrics. Despite being their only official release, "We The People" secured School of Violence's place in the Thrash Metal pantheon.

Music Genre:

Thrash Metal / Hardcore

Label & Catalognr:

Roadrunner Records / Metal Blade Records – RR 9502 1

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

1988 Netherlands / Europe

Production & Recording Information
Album Packaging

This album includes the original custom inner sleeve ( OIS ) with detailed production information and lyrics of all the songs on this album.

Producers:

Steg (Stegmon Von Heintz) - Producer

Gil Abarbanel - Producer and Sound Engineer

School Of Violence - Producer

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Gil Abarbanel - Sound Engineer

Recording Location:

Recorded at Stickworks, New York

Mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Capitol Records Mastering.

Eddy Schreyer, a top-tier mastering engineer and founder of Oasis Mastering, has shaped the sonic intensity of heavy metal for decades. His expert touch has refined albums by Slayer, Korn, System of a Down, and Slipknot, ensuring powerful clarity and relentless aggression. With over 30 years in the industry, Schreyer remains a key figure in metal production. Read more about Eddy Schreyer.

 Capitol Mastering has been credited using different names, these names include: "Capitol Records", "Capitol Recording Studios", "Capitol Studios", "Capitol Studios Mastering". It was located in Hollywood

Sound Mix by Steve Burgh

Sound Mix Studio: Baby Monster Studios, New York

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

Davisha Dadone - Album Artwork

Wendy Kramer - Album Design

Wendy Kramer is an graphics artist working mostly for the Bland Design Group and been drawing ( since the late 1980s ) album covers for around two dozens of Heavy Metal album covers.

Photography:

Barbara Vaun - Photography

Musicians:
  • Stegmon von Heintz - Guitars, Producer, Sound Engineer
  • Karl Agell - Vocals
  • M.S. Evans - Drums
  • Rick Stone - Bass
Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Following Blind
  2. Man at the Top
  3. Reign of the Clown
  4. We Know What They Want
  5. Lab Rats
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. U.S.B.S.
  2. We the People?
  3. From Attitude to Action
  4. Stranger
  5. Marionettes
High Resolution & Quality Photos
Front Cover Photo Of SCHOOL OF VIOLENCE – We The People...?
Album cover of School of Violence - We The People...? featuring four distinct, intense illustrations with social and political themes: police brutality, a skull with soldiers reflected in its teeth, a skeletal graduate with a noose, and a nuclear explosion with a skeleton holding a staff.

School of Violence - We The People...? album cover features a striking, politically charged collage divided into four panels, each depicting a different scene.

In the top left panel, a highly detailed illustration portrays an act of police brutality, where a uniformed officer wearing a helmet is seen forcefully pulling a person amidst a chaotic protest scene. The victim appears to be struggling, and the faces of other people in the background convey distress and urgency.

The top right panel presents a surreal depiction of a menacing skull with a chilling reflection in its teeth, showing a line of soldiers marching in formation. The skull’s features are exaggerated and distorted, giving it a nightmarish appearance.

In the bottom left panel, an eerie skeletal figure wearing a graduation cap is illustrated. The skeleton holds a sinister expression, and a noose dangles ominously beside it, symbolizing a dark take on education and its consequences.

The bottom right panel contains an apocalyptic image of a nuclear explosion in the background, with another skeletal figure standing in the foreground. This skeleton, also wearing a graduation cap, wields a large staff with a symbol resembling a target, as if leading a doomed march towards destruction.

The album title, "We The People...?", is written at the bottom in a distressed, red and white font, reinforcing the album's social critique and rebellious nature.

Photo Of The Back Cover SCHOOL OF VIOLENCE – We The People...?
Back cover of School of Violence - We The People...? featuring a dark cross, a sinister skull wearing a graduation cap, an altered version of the U.S. Constitution preamble, and four band member photos framed in red.

School of Violence - We The People...? back cover design presents a dark, thought-provoking aesthetic, reinforcing the album’s themes of societal control and rebellion.

Centered on the cover is a large, black cross with red highlights, extending horizontally across the artwork. Beneath it, a menacing skull wearing a graduation cap stares out, with glowing red eyes and a sinister grin. A small noose hangs from the cap’s tassel, adding a haunting touch.

Overlaying the cross is a distorted, rewritten version of the U.S. Constitution’s Preamble, reworded to reflect themes of manipulation, oppression, and deception. The text, written in old-style gold script, reads:

"We the people, those in power
In order to form more perfect control
Establish justice, just for us
Insure tranquility by force of law
Provide for taking of all desired
Promote the wealth-fare of our own
Secure the blood of the people
And do ordain this Grand Illusion"

On the left and right sides of the cover, four black-and-white photographs of the band members are framed in bold red borders. Each image captures the musicians in action, intensifying the album’s raw, live energy:

  • Stegmon von Heintz - Playing guitar shirtless, standing in a confident pose.
  • Karl Agell - Singing passionately into a microphone, hair flowing.
  • Rick Stone - Focused on his bass guitar in a dimly lit shot.
  • M.S. Evans - Mid-performance, energetically playing the drums.

At the bottom, the

Photo of the custom inner sleeve SCHOOL OF VIOLENCE – We The People...?
Inner sleeve of School of Violence - We The People...? featuring album credits, production details, acknowledgments, and a repeated faded band logo as background.

School of Violence - We The People...? inner sleeve features a stark black-and-white design with a textured border and a repeating faded School of Violence logo in the background.

At the top center, the album title, "We the people...?", is displayed in bold black serif font. Below it, the left column contains detailed production credits, listing:

  • Producers: Steg and School of Violence
  • Co-Producer & Engineer: Gil Abarbanel
  • Recording Location: Stickworks, NY
  • Mixing Studio: Baby Monster Studios, NY
  • Mixing Engineer: Steve Burgh
  • Mastering: Capitol by Eddy Schreyer

The right column provides information on album design and artwork:

  • Album Design: Davisha Dadone
  • Photography: Barbara Vaun (except Karl Agell’s photo by Davisha Dadone)
  • A&R Coordination: William Howell
  • Graphics: Wendy Kramer for The Bland Design Group

Centered between the two columns is a block of special thanks and acknowledgments, where the band expresses gratitude to friends, fellow musicians, and supporters. The text mentions names of various people, bands, and individuals who contributed to their journey.

At the bottom, a section labeled "For School of Violence Info" provides a mailing address for fan correspondence:

School of Violence
224 Sullivan St., #A1
New York, NY 10012 U.S.A.

The entire layout is clean yet visually engaging, with the faded band logo acting as a subtle background element, emphasizing the underground aesthetic of this raw thrash metal release.

Photo of the custom inner sleeve SCHOOL OF VIOLENCE – We The People...?
Inner sleeve of School of Violence - We The People...? featuring full printed lyrics for all songs, a textured border, and a minimalistic black-and-white design.

School of Violence - We The People...? inner sleeve features a stark, black-and-white design with a textured border, filled with the complete printed lyrics for all the album’s tracks.

The page is divided into multiple columns, each containing song lyrics in a structured, readable format. The typography is simple and clean, ensuring clarity while maintaining a raw, underground aesthetic. The lyrics reflect themes of social unrest, corruption, rebellion, and the human condition, fitting the album’s intense thrash metal style.

Highlighted sections include:

  • Lyrics for tracks such as "Following Blind," "Man at the Top," "Reign of the Clown," "We Know What They Want," and "Lab Rats."
  • The politically charged title track, "We The People...?", whose lyrics critique authoritarian control and systemic oppression.
  • The aggressive, fast-paced lyrics of "U.S.B.S.," "From Attitude to Action," "Stranger," and "Marionettes," which delve into themes of deceit, fear, and resistance.

At the bottom of the page, a statement reads: "All arrangements by School of Violence," reinforcing the band's hands-on approach to their music.

The minimalistic visual design, combined with the powerful lyrics, gives the sleeve a no-nonsense, hardcore punk-inspired feel, complementing the rebellious tone of the album.

Close up of the record's label
Close-up of the record label for School of Violence - We The People...? Metal Blade Records Side A, featuring tracklist, production credits, and manufacturing details.

School of Violence - We The People...? record label (Side A) features a clean, minimalist design with red and black text on a beige background, prominently displaying the Metal Blade Records logo in red at the top.

Below the logo, the album title, "We The People...", is printed in bold uppercase letters, followed by the full tracklist for Side A, including song durations and composer credits:

  • 1. Following Blind - 2:30 (Paul Toxic Jr./Steg)
  • 2. Man at the Top - 2:18 (Brian Childers/Steg)
  • 3. Reign of the Clown - 3:44 (Brian Childers/Steg)
  • 4. We Know What They Want - 2:59 (Steg/Heintz)
  • 5. Lab Rats - 4:25 (Brian Childers/Steg)

Production credits appear beneath the tracklist, stating that the album was produced by Steg and School of Violence. Additional details indicate that all songs are published by Bloody Skull Music (BMI).

The label also contains several key manufacturing and catalog details:

  • Catalog Number: RR 9502 1
  • Rights Society: STEMRA
  • Label Code: LC 9321
  • Pressing Information: Made in Holland
  • Copyright Notice: ℗ 1988 Metal Blade Records / Roadrunner Productions B.V.
    © 1988 Metal Blade Records

The outer ring of the label features a legal disclaimer in red, stating "All rights of the producer and of the owner of the work reproduced reserved. Unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting of the record prohibited."

This label design captures the essential details of the album's pressing, offering collectors and fans a detailed glimpse into its official release information.