S.O.D Stormtroopers of Death - Speak English Or Die 12" Vinyl LP Album

- The Crossover Thrash Masterpiece That Shook the Metal and Hardcore Worlds

S.O.D. Stormtroopers of Death - Speak English Or Die album cover. Features a menacing skull wearing a camouflaged combat helmet with anarchy and military insignias, crossed bullets behind it, and a gritty, hand-drawn aesthetic against a black-and-white background. Iconic crossover thrash metal artwork. https://vinyl-records.nl

"Speak English or Die" is the first album by the thrash/hardcore band Stormtroopers of Death (S.O.D.). After Anthrax finished recording "Spreading the Disease" there still was some studio time left, so Scott Ian and Charlie Benante called some friends, practiced some songs, and recorded it all within a week.

S.O.D.'s "Speak English or Die": A Crossover Thrash Explosion
Album Description:

In the mid-1980s, amidst the burgeoning thrash metal scene, a side project emerged that would leave an indelible mark on the genre. Stormtroopers of Death, better known as S.O.D., released their debut album "Speak English or Die" in 1985, igniting a firestorm of controversy and musical innovation.

Historical Context and Musical Exploration

"Speak English or Die" arrived at a time when thrash metal was gaining momentum, with bands like Metallica and Slayer pushing the boundaries of aggression and speed. S.O.D., a supergroup formed by members of Anthrax and Nuclear Assault, injected a dose of hardcore punk into the mix, creating a hybrid genre known as crossover thrash. The album's breakneck tempos, aggressive riffs, and satirical lyrics captured the rebellious spirit of the era.

Genre and Controversies

"Speak English or Die" solidified crossover thrash as a distinct subgenre, blending the raw energy of hardcore punk with the technicality of thrash metal. The album's lyrics, often humorous and politically incorrect, sparked controversy for their offensive nature. Some critics accused the band of racism and xenophobia, while others defended their right to free speech and artistic expression.

Production Team and Recording Studio

The album was produced by Alex Perialas, known for his work with Anthrax and Overkill. The recording sessions took place at Pyramid Sound Recording Studio, Ithaca, New York . The band's DIY approach and tight schedule resulted in a raw and unpolished sound that captured the intensity of their live performances.

Album Cover Art

The album cover, featuring the band's mascot Sergeant D holding a severed head, further fueled the controversy surrounding S.O.D. The artwork, designed by Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, was a visual representation of the band's irreverent and provocative attitude.

Music Genre:

Hardcore Punk, Crossover Thrash Metal

Album Production information:

The album: "Speak English Or Die" was produced by: Scott Ian and Alex Perialas for NOT Productions and Jon Zazula. Precious Metal Music

  • Alex Perialas – Audio Engineer, Mixer, Record Producer

    In my book, his credit is the “this is gonna hit hard” stamp—Pyramid Sound vibes all day.

    Alex Perialas is an American audio engineer, mixer, and record producer who helped lock in the tight, punchy thrash sound of the mid-1980s through the early 1990s from Pyramid Sound Studios in Ithaca, New York—working with bands like Anthrax, Overkill, Testament, Nuclear Assault, S.O.D., and Flotsam & Jetsam. Later on, his work stretches into other lanes (Bad Religion, Pro-Pain), and he’s also been tied to teaching sound recording at Ithaca College—because apparently someone had to explain to the next generation how to make guitars sound like a chainsaw with manners.

    Alex Perialas Wiki
  • Jon Zazula – Megaforce Records founder & metal scene catalyst

    The “Jonny Z” era starts in the East Brunswick trenches (early ’80s), then detonates with Metallica in 1982–1983 and keeps rolling through Megaforce years with bands like Anthrax (notably 1985–1991), Overkill, Testament, and Manowar.

    Jon Zazula, in my head, is proof that heavy metal didn’t just “happen” in the ’80s—it got built by obsessive weirdos with good ears and zero chill. He ran the Rock ’n’ Roll Heaven record store in East Brunswick, New Jersey, and used that shop as a kind of underground command center, blasting demos through the tape-trading network until the right bands found the right people. The pivotal moment (and yeah, it’s basically metal folklore at this point) lands in the winter of 1982, when he heard Metallica’s “No Life ’Til Leather” demo, pulled them to New York, and helped push them onto their first real East Coast stages—then Megaforce Records followed, and “Kill ’Em All” hit in 1983 like a crowbar to the radio. After that, his “periods” with bands were less about being onstage and more about being the guy who opened doors: the Megaforce run expanded from Metallica and Manowar in the early ’80s to a wider roster that included Anthrax (a key 1985–1991 stretch), plus acts like Overkill and Testament—basically a roll call of bands that helped define what American metal would sound like when it stopped asking permission.

    Jon Zazula Wiki

    • Recorded at

  • Pyramid Sound Recording Studios – Recording Studio (Ithaca, New York)

    Downtown Ithaca’s secret weapon: the room where a ton of ’80s riffs learned discipline and learned to punch.

    Pyramid Sound Recording Studios is a long-running Ithaca, New York recording spot launched by Alex Perialas (the guy with the “your snare will be heard” philosophy). From the mid-1980s into the early 1990s, it became a thrash-metal magnet—bands like Anthrax, Overkill, Testament, Nuclear Assault, and S.O.D. rolled through to capture that tight, aggressive East Coast bite. It didn’t stay boxed into metal either: later decades saw punk/hardcore and other genres pass through the same rooms, because good engineering doesn’t care what jacket you’re wearing. The studio’s downtown location (105 E. Clinton Street) has even had its share of real-world drama tied to nearby construction over the years—because of course the universe can’t just let a legendary studio exist in peace.

    Pyramid Sound Recording Studios Wiki

    •  

    Recorded and mixed in three days: 2, 3, 5 July

    Product Coordinator: Marsha Zazula

     

    Record Label & Catalognr:

    Roadrunner RR 9725

    Album Packaging:

    This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and photo of the S.O.D. Band. 

    Media Format:

    12" Vinyl LP  Gramophone Record
    Album weight: 220 gram 

    Year & Country:

    1985 Made in Holland
    Band Members and Musicians on: S.O.D Stormtroopers of Death Speak English Or Die
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Billy Milano - Lead Vocals (Bill Milano is from the Bronx, New York City he began his musical career 1985 with singing in the "Stormtroopers Of Death" band. In 1986 he founded the Crossover Thrash metal band: M.O.D. ("Method Of Destruction").)
    • Scott Ian - Guitars
    • Scott Ian – Rhythm guitarist, lyricist & thrash metal co-founder

      Scott Ian (born Scott Ian Rosenfeld) is the riff-engine who’s been steering Anthrax since 1981, with side-quests that hit like bonus levels: S.O.D. (1985–1991; reunions in 1999 and 2007), The Damned Things (2009–2012; 2019–present), Motor Sister (2014–present), and Mr. Bungle (around 2020–present).

      Scott Ian, I’ve always thought of him as the human proof that rhythm guitar can be the main character. He’s best known as the co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and primary lyricist of Anthrax (1981–present), and he’s the only member who’s been there for the whole ride while the rest of the lineup history does its usual metal soap-opera thing. Outside Anthrax, his “periods” with other bands map out a whole corner of crossover and hard rock: he co-founded Stormtroopers of Death (S.O.D.) for the original run in 1985–1991, then popped back in for reunion eras in 1999 and 2007; he shifted into supergroup mode with The Damned Things (2009–2012, then back again from 2019 to the present); he formed Motor Sister in 2014 and kept it rolling; and he became part of the revived Mr. Bungle lineup around 2020. The vibe I get is simple: Ian doesn’t just play riffs—he builds lanes for other people to drive dangerously fast through.

      Scott Ian Wiki
    • Dan Lilker - Bass Guitar
      Dan Lilker is a pioneering bassist and songwriter known for shaping thrash metal and grindcore. A founding member of Overkill, Anthrax, S.O.D., and Brutal Truth, his aggressive playing and genre-blending style left a lasting impact. From hardcore punk to extreme metal, his legacy endures. Learn more about his career.
    • Charlie Benante - Drums

      Charlie Benante ( Drums ) long-time drummer with the American Thrash Metal band Anthrax, since 1983 and also performed in S.O.D. Stormtroopers Of Death.

    Complete Track Listing of: "Speak English Or Die"

    The Song/tracks on "Speak English Or Die" are

    • March of the S.O.D. 1:27
    • Sargent D & the S.O.D. 2:23
    • Kill Yourself 2:11
    • Milano Mosh 1:32
    • Speak English or Die 2:24
    • United Forces 1:53
    • Chromatic Death 0:43
    • Pi Alpha Nu 1:09
    • Anti-Procrastination Song 0:06
    • What's That Noise 1:00
    • Freddy Krueger 2:32
    • Milk 1:54
    • Pre-Menstrual Princess Blues 1:20
    • Pussy Whipped 2:14
    • Fist Banging Mania 2:04
    • No Turning Back 0:52
    • Fuck the Middle East 0:27
    • Douche Crew 1:35
    • Hey Gordy! 0:07
    • Ballad of Jimi Hendrix 0:05
    • Diamonds and Rust (Extended Version) 0:05
    Photo of "Speak English Or Die" Album's Front Cover 
    High Resolution Photo Album Front Cover of SOD - Speak English Die https://vinyl-records.nl
    Photo of "Speak English Or Die" Album's Back Cover  
    High Resolution Photo Album Back Cover of SOD - Speak English Die https://vinyl-records.nl  
    Photo of "Speak English Or Die" Album's Inner Cover  
    High Resolution Photo of the Original Custom Inner Sleeve (OIS) #1 of SOD - Speak English Die https://vinyl-records.nl  
    Close-up Photo of "Speak English Or Die" Record Label 
    Enlarged High Resolution Photo of the Record's label SOD - Speak English Die https://vinyl-records.nl  

    S.O.D. Stormtroopers of Death - Speak English Or Die Album Photo Gallery:

    Album Front Cover Photo
    S.O.D. Stormtroopers of Death - Speak English Or Die album cover. Features a menacing skull wearing a camouflaged combat helmet with anarchy and military insignias, crossed bullets behind it, and a gritty, hand-drawn aesthetic against a black-and-white background. Iconic crossover thrash metal artwork. https://vinyl-records.nl

    This is a high-resolution photo of the front cover of S.O.D.'s iconic crossover thrash metal album "Speak English Or Die".

    The artwork features a menacing skull with dark, hollow eyes and a wide, jagged grin, smoking a cigarette. The skull wears a heavily detailed military-style helmet with a green and red camouflage pattern. The helmet is adorned with insignias: a chevron rank on the left, a blue and white emblem on the right, and a large red anarchy symbol scrawled in the center.

    Behind the skull, two large bullets cross diagonally, forming an "X" shape. The background consists of hand-drawn black-and-white stripes, creating a raw and gritty aesthetic. The album title, "Speak English Or Die", appears in bold, military-style stencil lettering at the bottom, with "S.O.D.: Stormtroopers of Death" displayed prominently at the top.

    The outer edges of the artwork are framed by a camouflage fabric pattern, reinforcing the album's aggressive and militaristic themes. The cover, designed by Scott Ian, is one of the most recognizable images in crossover thrash history.

    Album Back Cover Photo
    S.O.D. Stormtroopers of Death Speak English Or Die album back cover. A chaotic collage of candid band and fan photos featuring Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Dan Lilker, and Billy Milano, with the album tracklist, production credits, and Roadrunner Records logo at the top-right. https://vinyl-records.nl

    This is a high-resolution photo of the back cover of S.O.D.'s legendary crossover thrash album "Speak English Or Die".

    The back cover is an explosive collage of candid photographs featuring the band members—Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Dan Lilker, and Billy Milano—along with friends and fans in various wild and humorous poses. Some images show band members partying, drinking, and goofing around, while others capture intense moments of live performances and backstage antics.

    The album's tracklist is displayed prominently in two columns at the bottom, with song durations included. The left column lists tracks such as "March of the S.O.D." and "Speak English Or Die", while the right side includes "Milk" and "Fist Banging Mania." Production credits are also featured, with Scott Ian and Alex Perialas listed as producers, and Jon Zazula as the executive producer.

    The Roadrunner Records logo is positioned in the top-right corner, marking the album’s European release. The entire layout exudes the raw, rebellious energy of the crossover thrash scene, emphasizing S.O.D.'s unapologetic, chaotic, and humorous approach to heavy music.

    Photo One of Inside Page Gatefold Cover
    S.O.D. Stormtroopers of Death Speak English Or Die inner gatefold. Black-and-white band photo of Charlie Benante, Billy Milano, Scott Ian, and Dan Lilker standing in front of a motel door with '105' sign, accompanied by thank-you notes and recording details. https://vinyl-records.nl

    This is a high-resolution photo of the inner gatefold of S.O.D.'s legendary crossover thrash album "Speak English Or Die."

    The layout features a prominent black-and-white photograph of the band members— Charlie Benante (drums, backing vocals), Billy Milano (vocals), Scott Ian (guitar), and Dan Lilker (bass, backing vocals)—standing together in front of a door marked with the number "105." Scott Ian is lifting his denim vest, revealing his bare chest, while Billy Milano and the others display confident, laid-back expressions.

    Above the photo, a dense block of text lists the album's thank-you notes, naming various friends, bands, and influences that contributed to the project. The text also acknowledges the recording and production team, including Jon Zazula (executive producer), Scott Ian and Alex Perialas (producers), and Marsha Zazula (project coordinator).

    At the bottom, the band members' roles are specified in bold text, reinforcing their contributions to the album. The Roadrunner Records logo and catalog number RR 9725 are displayed in the lower-right corner, marking this as an official European pressing.

    The design of this inner gatefold encapsulates the raw energy and camaraderie that defined S.O.D. and their groundbreaking debut album.

    Close-up of Side One record's label
    Close-up of Side One record label for S.O.D. Stormtroopers of Death - Speak English Or Die. Features a beige Roadrunner Records label with bold red 'R' logo, tracklist, and production credits. Catalog number RR 9725, 33 RPM, made in Holland. https://vinyl-records.nl

    This is a close-up high-resolution image of the record label for Side One of S.O.D.'s crossover thrash classic, "Speak English Or Die."

    The label is beige with black text and features the Roadrunner Records logo at the top, with a bold red "R" inside a rectangular box. Around the outer edge, small red text warns against unauthorized copying, lending, and public broadcasting. The catalog number RR 9725 is printed clearly on the left side.

    The tracklist for Side One is displayed in bold capital letters, including: "March of the S.O.D.," "Sargent 'D' & The S.O.D.," "Kill Yourself," "Milano Mosh," and the album's infamous title track "Speak English Or Die." The production credits below indicate that the album was produced by Scott Ian and Alex Perialas, with Jon Zazula serving as executive producer. The copyright is marked 1985 Roadrunner Productions B.V.

    The label also specifies that the record plays at 33 RPM and was made in Holland. The bottom of the label features the classic Roadrunner Records logo with two stylized "R" letters stacked side by side.