TANKARD - ALIEN 12" MINI-LP VINYL

- Includes OIS (Original Inner Sleeve) with Heavy Metal Merchandise

Tankard's 1989 mini-LP "Alien" delivers pure thrash metal energy in five explosive tracks. Vinyl editions are especially collectible, with the Original Inner Sleeve (OIS) and vintage merchandise inserts being highly sought after. This release is a nostalgic piece of thrash metal history, showcasing the band's raw sound and the subculture's emphasis on physical memorabilia.

High Resolution Photos of tankard alien

"Alien" Album Description:

Formed amidst the fertile thrash metal scene of Frankfurt, Germany, Tankard emerged as the embodiment of beer-soaked, high-energy mayhem. Their 1989 mini-LP "Alien" cemented their reputation, delivering a concentrated dose of the band's signature sound in just five raucous tracks. But for collectors, the true charm of this release lies in the physical vinyl edition, particularly those including the Original Inner Sleeve (OIS) and those coveted vintage merchandise inserts.

Sonic Assault with a Sci-Fi Twist

Musically, "Alien" is a pure thrash metal masterclass. The title track explodes with a sci-fi infused narrative set against breakneck riffs and frantic drumming – a testament to the genre's penchant for fun and escapism. Fan-favorites like the anthemic "(Empty) Tankard" and the hangover lament "The Morning After" showcase the band's lyrical mix of partying and social commentary. Tankard's blistering rendition of Rose Tattoo's "Remedy" reveals both their influences and their ability to make a classic their own.

The Vinyl Experience & Collectible Allure

The enduring appeal of "Alien" extends far beyond the music itself. The 12" vinyl format offers a tangible, ritualistic experience that digital downloads can't replicate. For collectors, the OIS is the holy grail. Featuring not only lyrics but often vintage tour dates, the sleeve transforms the album into a slice of thrash metal history. The occasional merchandise insert provides a fascinating window into Tankard's early aesthetic, showcasing shirts, patches, and other items that fueled the visual identity of the band.

Finding Your Own Piece of History

While securing an original pressing of "Alien" with all the inserts takes persistence, the hunt is part of the thrill. Scour online marketplaces like Discogs and eBay, alongside record stores specializing in metal. Be aware that condition and completeness affect the price, making pristine copies with both OIS and insert the most sought after.

Beyond the Music

Tankard's "Alien" is more than just a thrilling five-track blast. It's a piece of thrash metal history, a testament to the unique subculture's emphasis on physical media and memorabilia. Whether you're blasting the tunes or carefully flipping through the sleeve, this mini-LP offers a nostalgic return to the genre's formative years – an era defined by its raw energy and DIY spirit.

Listen to ALIEN:

Music Genre:

Thrash Metal / Heavy Metal 

Album Production information:

The album: "TANKARD - Alien" was produced by: Harris Johns , Karl Walterbach

  • Harris Johns – Producer, sound engineer

    If your record has that gritty Berlin-concrete punch, there's a decent chance Johns was behind the glass.

    Harris Johns is the Berlin-bred producer/engineer who's been putting steel-toed boots on tape since 1978. I first clock him in the late 70s punk grind, then the early 80s when his Music Lab rooms started spitting out Slime (1983) and Daily Terror (1984). Mid-80s through the early 90s he helped define Teutonic thrash for the Noise Records crowd: Grave Digger and Helloween (1984-85), then Sodom, Kreator, Tankard, Voivod and Exumer (1986-88). He kept the soldering iron hot into the 90s-2000s (Sodom again, 1997-2001), later taking on international metal like Enthroned (2004-07). After a decade at his countryside "Spiderhouse," he reopened Music Lab Berlin in 2007 and ran it until 2016 - still producing and teaching the craft.

    Harris Johns Wiki

  • Karl-Ulrich Walterbach – Producer Karl-Ulrich Walterbach is the German metal mastermind whose fingerprints are all over the rise of European heavy metal in the 80s. As founder of Noise Records, he pushed raw underground bands into the spotlight, shaping the sound of Helloween, Celtic Frost, and many others. His vision fused DIY grit with fearless ambition, turning chaotic studio sessions into genre-defining releases.
    Walterbach Biography

    • This album was recorded at: Musiclab, Berlin, January 1989

    Album cover design: Sebastian Krüger/Becker-Derouet

  • Sebastian Krüger – Painter, illustrator (album cover art)

    The 1980s metal scene got some of its most unhinged (in the best way) cover art thanks to his razor-sharp caricature-realism.

    Sebastian Krüger, born June 30, 1963 in Hamelin (Germany), is the rare artist who can make a face look hyper-real and totally distorted at the same time—like reality got remixed and mastered. After studying free painting at the Braunschweig University of Fine Arts, he built his early reputation in commercial illustration (press work and LP covers) before stepping back to focus on painting; in the 1990s he also collaborated with the Italian political magazine L’Espresso. For us record nerds, his metal-era “runs” are basically a greatest-hits list of late-80s chaos: Destruction (1986–1990), Tankard (1987–2005), Running Wild (1988–1989), Risk (1988–1990), plus one-off punches like Sodom (1988) and Steeler (1988), and even Hobbs Angel of Death (1988–1990). Outside metal, he’s famously linked to lifelike, exaggerated portraits—especially The Rolling Stones (Keith Richards is basically a recurring character). Sebastian Krüger Wiki

    • Album cover photography: Martin Becker

    Martin Becker, a photographer, has captured the imagery of nearly two dozen heavy metal bands. His portfolio features notable metal acts

    Record Label & Catalognr:

    		Blue Label NOISE International N 0131-5 / NUK 131

    Media Format:

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

    Year & Country:

    		1989 Made in Germany
    Band Members and Musicians on: Tankard - Alien
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Andreas "Gerre" Geremia - Vocals, Bass(since 1982 with the Tankard band)
    • Andy Boulgaropoulos - Guitar ( with Tankard from 1982 until 1995)
    • Axel Katzmann - Guitar (with Tankard from 1982 until 1995)
    • Frank Thorwarth - Bass (with Tankard since 1982)
    • Oliver Werner - drums, (performing with "Tankard" from 1982 until 1989 , after which he joined the "Chase Crime" band in 1989)

     

    High Resolution Photos of tankard alien  

    A photo of the Tankard band-members jumping in the air on the back cover of the Alien Album 

    A photo of the Tankard band-members jumping in the air on the back cover of the Alien Album   

    A promo of stickers of Tankad on the custom inner sleeve 

    High Resolution Photos of tankard alien  

    T-Shirts of Helloween, Kreator, Voivod , Running Wild Merchandise on the custom inner sleeve 

    T-Shirts of Helloween, Kreator, Voivod , Running Wild Merchandise on the custom inner sleeve   

    Lyrics of all the songs on "Alien" printed on the custom inner sleeve 

    Lyrics of all the songs on "Alien" printed on the custom inner sleeve   

    Tankard's Tour dates in Germany and The Netherlands 

    Tankard's Tour dates in Germany and The Netherlands   

    Close-up of the Blue NOISE International N 0131-5 Record Label Side 1

    Close-up of the Blue NOISE International N 0131-5 Record Label Side 1  

    Close-up of the Blue NOISE International N 0131-5 Record Label Side 2  

    Close-up of the Blue NOISE International N 0131-5 Record Label Side 2    

    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.

    Complete Track-listing of the album "TANKARD - Alien"

    The detailed tracklist of this record "TANKARD - Alien" is:

      Track-listing Side One:
    1. Alien
    2. 666 Packs
      Track-listing Side Two:
    1. Live to Dive
    2. Remedy
    3. (Emoty) Tankard
    Tankard: Thrash Metal with a Sense of Humor and a Passion for Beer
    TANKARD - Alien
    TANKARD - Alien album front cover vinyl record

    Musically, "Alien" is a pure thrash metal masterclass. The title track explodes with a sci-fi infused narrative set against breakneck riffs and frantic drumming – a testament to the genre's penchant for fun and escapism.

    Alien 12" Vinyl EP
    TANKARD - Chemical Invasion
    TANKARD - Chemical Invasion album front cover vinyl record

    The creation history of "Chemical Invasion" is deeply rooted in the thriving German thrash metal scene of the late 1980s. The album emerged in 1987, a time when the genre was experiencing a surge in popularity

    Chemical Invasion 12" Vinyl LP
    TANKARD - The Meaning of Life
    TANKARD - The Meaning of Life album front cover vinyl record

    The album's creation history unveils a fascinating journey of collaboration and creative ingenuity. The cover concept, attributed to Buffo, sets the tone for the visual representation of "The Meaning of Life."

    The Meaning of Life 12" Vinyl LP
    TANKARD - The Morning After
    TANKARD - The Morning After album front cover vinyl record

    The recording of "The Morning After" took place at Music Lab Studio in Berlin, with Harris Johns serving as the producer. Harris Johns, known for his work with other thrash metal acts like Kreator and Sodom

    The Morning After 12" Vinyl LP
    TANKARD - Zombie Attack
    TANKARD - Zombie Attack album front cover vinyl record

    The creation history of "Zombie Attack" is a tale of raw energy, unbridled passion, and the relentless pursuit of musical excellence. Formed in 1982 in Frankfurt, Germany, Tankard was part of the burgeoning thrash metal

    Zombie Attack 12" Vinyl LP