KILLER wall of sound SKULL8302

The Belgian Motörhead: Killer’s ‘Wall Of Sound’ (SKULL 8302)

Today’s entry turns the volume up to eleven with a cornerstone release of the Belgian heavy metal scene. We are looking at the 1983 reissue of the debut album Wall Of Sound by the power trio Killer, released on the iconic Mausoleum Records with the catalog number SKULL 8302.

Originally released in 1982 on the smaller Lark label, this album established Killer as one of the premier bands in continental Europe. Featuring Shorty on guitar and vocals, Spooky on bass and vocals, and Double Bear on drums, the band was frequently (and affectionately) compared to Motörhead due to their raw, gravelly vocals, thundering bass lines, and high-speed energy.

The album lives up to its name from the very first track. The title song, Wall Of Sound, is a heavy metal anthem that defines their style: loud, fast, and unpretentious. Other standouts include the gritty Bodies And Bones and the high-octane Kleptomania. The production, recorded at Dig-It Studio, is rough and ready, perfectly capturing the sweat and aggression of a live power trio.

For collectors, this Mausoleum reissue is fascinating because of the story told in the runout grooves. The matrix numbers reveal a crossed-out code: INL 3535. This code corresponds to the original 1982 pressing on the Lark label. This proves that Mausoleum acquired the original metal parts (stampers) to press this edition, ensuring that the audio quality is identical to the very first pressing. SKULL 8302 is a must-have for fans of the SKULL series and anyone who appreciates the raw roots of European speed metal.