Witchhunt Records - Believe in Church and Agonize 12" Vinyl LP Album

- ‘Rare 1990 Thrash Metal Sampler Showcasing Underground Legends and Raw Energy’

Album cover for “Believe in Church and Agonize” by Witchhunt Records featuring a dark, medieval-inspired image of a nude figure bound and tortured, surrounded by ominous figures. The text “Witchhunt Records” is displayed in red Gothic font at the top, and the album title is in red Gothic font at the botto

This is the extremely rare and hard to find Swiss Thrash metal sampler released in 1990 by Witchhunt records.

This record contains early demo recordings of European hardcore punk crossover death and thrash metal bands like:

Disharmonic Orchestra , Invocator, Carbonized, Necrophobic, Unleashed and others 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

Witchhunt Records: A Glimpse into the Early European Metal Scene
Album Description:

In 1990, the Swiss label Witchhunt Records released "Believe in Church and Agonize," a compilation that captured the raw energy and aggression of the emerging European metal scene. This 12" vinyl LP, now a sought-after collector's item, serves as a time capsule, showcasing early demo recordings from bands that would later become influential figures in the hardcore punk, crossover, death, and thrash metal genres.

The compilation features a diverse range of artists, each contributing their unique sound and style.

"Believe in Church and Agonize" provides a valuable snapshot of a time when these bands were still honing their craft, experimenting with different sounds, and pushing the boundaries of extreme music. The compilation's rough and unpolished production adds to its charm, capturing the raw energy and DIY spirit of the early metal scene.

While some of the bands featured on the compilation went on to achieve mainstream success, others remained underground, cult favorites. Regardless of their commercial trajectory, each band played a crucial role in shaping the European metal landscape.

For collectors and metal enthusiasts, "Believe in Church and Agonize" is a treasure trove of rare recordings and a fascinating glimpse into the roots of a genre that continues to thrive and evolve. Its historical significance and musical value make it a must-have for any serious metal collection

The Water Torture: A Dark Chapter in History
The Album's Artwork Description:

The "Water Torture," also known as "Water Cure" or "Forced Ingestion of Water," was a brutal method of torture used historically by various groups, including the Spanish Inquisition. While not exclusive to Christians, it was employed in some instances during periods of religious persecution.

The torture involved forcing a victim to ingest large quantities of water in a short period, often through a funnel or cloth forced down the throat. This caused severe pain, distress, and could lead to water intoxication, organ damage, and even death. The purpose of this horrific practice was to extract information or confessions from victims. It was believed that the intense pain and fear of death caused by the torture would compel individuals to divulge information or comply with the demands of their interrogators. However, this method was notoriously unreliable, as victims were often willing to say anything to stop the torture, leading to false confessions.

While it's important to acknowledge this dark chapter in history, it's equally crucial to note that the use of torture is condemned by most Christian denominations today. The actions of those who employed such methods in the past are widely seen as abhorrent and unrepresentative of Christian teachings of compassion and love.

Album Summary: 

The back of the album cover says: Warning LISTENING TO THIS THRASH MUSIC WILL SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH

Health Departments' Chief Medical Officers.

Music Genre:

Death Grind Thrash Underground Metal Music

Collector's Notes:

This Sampler was recorded at the Dynamo Studio in Zurich (Switzerland) September 1990. All songs are taken from demotapes except Lunacy. It's dedicated to the Deathgrindthrash Underground.

Record Label & Catalognr:

Witchhunt Records 9001

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Gramophone

Year & Country:

1990 Made in Switzerland
Complete Track Listing of: Witchhunt Records Believe in Church and Agonize
    Side One:
  1. Disharmonic Orchestra with Patrik Klopf (Austria)
    1. Disappeared With Hermaphrodite Choirs
    2. Disharmonisation
  2. Invocator with Jacob Schultz (Denmark)
    1. Insurrected Despair
    2. Occurence Concealed
  3. Carbonized with Lars Rosenberg (Sweden)
    1. Recarbonized
    2. Two Faces
  4. Dead Head with Robbie Woning (The Netherlands)
    1. Pesticide
    2. Access Denied

 

    Side Two:
  1. Necrophobic with Joakim Sterner (Sweden)
    1. Slow Asphyxiation
    2. Retaliation
  2. Phlegethon with Teemu Hannonen (Finland)
    1. Female Sabbath
    2. Ornaments
  3. Lunacy with Rene Schmidt (Switzerland)
    1. Sickness
    2. Hellbound
  4. Unleashed with Johnny Hedlund & Larsson
    1. The Dark One
Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Witchhunt Records Believe in Church and Agonize
Photo of Front Cover 

Album cover for “Believe in Church and Agonize” by Witchhunt Records featuring a dark, medieval-inspired image of a nude figure bound and tortured, surrounded by ominous figures. The text “Witchhunt Records” is displayed in red Gothic font at the top, and the album title is in red Gothic font at the botto

The front cover of this album, titled Believe in Church and Agonize and associated with Witchhunt Records, features a stark and unsettling black-and-white image. It depicts a macabre scene seemingly inspired by medieval or inquisitorial imagery, showing a nude figure bound and subjected to what appears to be torture, overseen by shadowy figures. The artwork is intentionally provocative and grim, designed to challenge or shock viewers, often associated with extreme or underground music genres.

The title is displayed in blood-red, Gothic-style font at the bottom, reinforcing the ominous tone of the cover, while the label name, ‘Witchhunt Records,’ is boldly emblazoned at the top in the same Gothic font and red color. The aesthetic suggests themes of anti-religion, critique of authority, and dark historical reflection, common in metal or punk subgenres.

Photo of the album back cover and the titles: "Burned" and "Cruzified" 

Photo of the album back cover and the titles: "Burned" and "Cruzified" 

Close-up of the deep purple Witchhunt record label with catalognr 9001 

Record label for the album “Believe in Church and Agonize” by Witchhunt Records featuring a purple background with white Gothic and serif text. The label includes the album title, catalog number “9001,” “Side Cruzified,” “Play Loud,” and “33 RPM.” The tracklist includes titles such as “Slow Asphyxiation,” “Female Sabbath,” and “The Dark One.”

This record label belongs to the album Believe in Church and Agonize by Witchhunt Records. The label features a deep purple background with white text. At the top, ‘Witchhunt Records’ is written in a Gothic-style font, followed by the album title, Believe in Church and Agonize, in an elegant serif font.

The label indicates the side as ‘Side Cruzified’ on the left, while on the right, the instructions ‘Play Loud’ and ‘33 RPM’ emphasize the intended listening experience.

The layout is balanced and utilitarian, keeping a raw yet organized aesthetic. At the very top is the catalog number ‘9001,’ which likely identifies this specific release. The overall design reflects the dark and extreme themes associated with the album’s genre and label.