VA VARIOUS ARTISTS NEW GLADIATORS HEAVY METAL COMPILATION 12" Vinyl LP Album
- A 1985 Power-Packed Compilation Showcasing the Rising Titans of 80s Heavy Metal & Hard Rock Across Europe & the USA
This album "NEW GLADIATORS" is a split/compilation album of various heavy metal bands from the early 80s. Like Pretty Maids, Vengeance, Trust, Black 'n' Blue, Hanoi Rocks, 220 Volt, Madam X, Kick Axe, Quiet Riot, Fastway, Horizon and Stevie
This web-page contains transcripts of the original liner notes with brief biographies of the Hard Rock / Heavy Metal bands:.
The "Pretty Maids" band are:
PETE COLLINS - lead guitar
KEN HAMMER - lead guitar
PHIL MOORHEED - drums
RONNIE ATKINS - vocals
JOHN DARROW - bass
ALAN OWEN - keyboards
English Text
PRETTY MAIDS rose in 1981 from the dreams (or nightmares) of KENNETH HAMMER in the town of Horsens (Denmark). After a series of demos financed by the newly formed band, PRETTY MAIDS signed to Bullet Records in London for a 6 track mini-LP. Meanwhile PRETTY MAIDS embarked on a Scandinavian tour, opening for Black Sabbath. In late 1983. KERRANG proclaims them "Band of the Year". After supporting Judas Priest in Copenhagen, they release this new LP, "RED, HOT & HEAVY". It'll make you bang your head faster than a hummingbird flaps its wings - instant Nirvana guaranteed.
French text:
Dans sa ville d'Horsens au Danemark, Kenneth Hammer revait forrnerait un groupe de hard. En 1981 le reve devient dure realite. Apres quelques maquettes payees par le groupe, PRETTY MAIDS passe un contrat pour un mini-LP avec Bullet Records a Londres.
Sans perdre de temps, PRETTY MAIDS part en tournee avec Black Sabbath. Fin 1983 KERRANG les proclame "Groupe de l'annee. Leur nouvel album RED, HOT & HEAVY, sort apres leur tournee avec Judas Priest. Autant vous colter un marteau-piqueur sur les tympans. Delicieux.
German Text:
Aus den (Alp-) Traumen von Ken Hammer wurden 1981 in Horsens:Danemark die Pretty Maids geboren. Eine Reihe selbstfinanzierter Demos brachte ihnen einen Vertrag mit Bullet Records in London fOr eine 6 Track Mini-LP ein. Eine Skandinavien-Tour mit Black Sabbath schloll sich an, ebenso die Ernennung zur Band des Jahres vom Kerang-Magazin und ein Gig mit Judas Priest in Kopenhagen. Kurz danach erscheint die LP "Red, Hot & Heavy. Der Power Rock der Pretty Maids Wit die Headbangers direkt ins Paradies abfahren....
VENGEANCE is:
LEON GOEWIE - vocals
OSCAR HOLLEMAN -guitar
ARJEN ANTHONY LUCASSEN - guitar
JAN BIJLSMA - bass
MATT OLIGSCHLAGER -drums
English Text:
The new hard-rock generation could choose VENGEANCE as one of their best defenders. First single "Prisoners of the Night" has created an unprecedented demand for an album in their native Holland. They play loud, live and loud on vinyl. Keep the tulips away. They could turn into barbed-wire. And make sure your windmills are bolted to the ground.
French Text:
VENGEANCE pourrait devenir le groupe mascotte de la nouvelle generation hard. Leur premier 45T "Prisoners of the Night" fut tellement bien acceuilli en Hollande que le jeune groupe fut litteralement catapults en studio pour enregistrer un album le plus vite possible. Ils jouent fort sur disque et sur scene. Ces hollandais transforment les tulips en barbeles et les moulins a vent en ventilateurs.
German Text:
Vengeance koenten gut die Vorkarnpfer einer neuen Heavy Metal Generation werden, wenn man die Begeisterung als MaBstab nimmt, die ihre erste Single "Prisoners Of The Night" in ihrer Heimat Holland ausgelOst hat. Vengeance sind laut -live und auf Platte. Bringt die Tulpen in Sicherheit und nagelt die Windmithlen fest!
The TRUST band is:
BERNIE- vocals
NONO - guitar
VIVI - bass
FARID - drums
English Text:
Unquestioned leader of hard rock bands in France. TRUST has created anthems such as 'Anti-social' and 'Fatality' chanted by hundreds of thousands of fans. Opening for Iron Maiden in England or checking in for Rockpalast in Germany, TRUST is where metal is getting heavier. Their new album is simply called "ROCK 'N ROLL"-you can trust them when they clench their fists.
French Text:
Premier groupe francais de hard, TRUST a cree des slogans repris par tous - Anti-social/Fatalite. Partout en Europe ils ont forge le metal a chaud avec Iron Maiden en Angleterre et sur la scene du Rockpalast en Allemagne. Leur nouvel album s'appelle ROCK 'N ROLL - tout simplement. Mais attention, ce rock la se chante le poing en fair - pas autrement
German Text:
Ohne Frage die fuhrende Hard-Rock-Band in Frankreich! Die Trust-Titel "Anti-Social" und "Fatality" sind zu Hymnen hunderttausenden Fans geworden. Ob sie mit Iron Maiden in England spielen oder beim Rockpalast in Deutschland - Trust sind zur Stelle. wenn es darum geht, Metal zu Heavy Metal zu machen!
Members of the "Black 'N Blue" band are:
JAIME ST. JAMES - vocals
TOMMY THAYER - guitars
JEF WARNER -guitars
PATRICK YOUNG - bass
PETE HOLMES - drums
English Text:
They wanted action. They moved from Portland to Los Angeles. And they got action. They opened for Quiet Riot, Dio, Vandenberg. Eight months later they were in Germany to record their first LP with Mr. Hard: DIETER DIERKS - (the man who put the sting in Scorpions). Their debut album is marked with the color that will last for ages.
French Text:
Ils voulaient que cela bouge. Ils ont demenage de Portland a Los Angeles. ca a bouge. Huit rnois apres avoir joue avec Quiet Riot, Dio, Vandenberg, ils s'embarquent pour l'Allemagne pour enregistrer leur premier LP avec Dieter Dierks (l'homme qui aiguise le dard des Scorpions). Leur premier disque s'appelle BLACK 'N BLUE - rien de mieux pour annoncer la couleur de leur hard-rock.
German Text
Sie wollten Action und gingen aus der Provinz von Portland nach Los Angeles. Sie spielten mit Quiet Riot und Dio und waren acht Monate spater in Deutschland, um mit Mr. Hard persOnlich, mit Dieter Dierks, ihr erstes Album einzuspielen. Black 'n' Blue - Farben einer groBen Heavy Metal Zukunft!
HANOI ROCKS
The band-members of "Hanoi Rocks" are:
MIKE MONROE - Lead vocals, saxophone
ANDY McCOY - Lead guitar
NASTY SUICIDE- Rhythm guitar
SAM YAFFA - Bass
RAZZLE - (t 1984) Drums
English Text
HANOI ROCKS is described by Melody Maker as a melting pot of the Rolling Stones, Clash and New York Dolls. Founded in 1980 in Stockholm (although they are from Finland) HANOI ROCKS strikes hard in 1982 with a No. 1 hit in Scandinavia-"Oriental Beat".
Their fifth LP -Two Steps From the Move" is produced by Bob Ezrin. who helped Pink Floyd to build up their "Wall" and Lou Reed to sing "Berlin". HANOI ROCKS is no doubt the last survivor of rock princes.
French Text:
Decrit comme un melting-pot des Stones. Clash et New York Dolls, HANOI ROCKS a vu le Jour en 1980 a Stockholm (bien qu'ils soient finlandais). Premier grand coup d'eclat en 1982 avec "Oriental Beat", 45T No. 1 en Scandinavie.
Leur cinquierne album "Two Steps from the Move" est realise par Bob Ezrin connu pour avoir maconne le "Wall" des Pink Floyds et guide Lou Reed a travers son "Berlin". HANOI ROCKS est le dernier survivant des grands princes du rock.
German Text:
Die 1980 gegrUndeten HANOI ROCKS. eine finnische Band mit englischern Drummer, machen auger durch mitreiBende Live-konzerte durch ein wild-verwegenes AuBeres und die klassische base-Buben-Haltung von sich reden. Ihre Musik ist eine brodelnde Mischung aus Alice Cooper 'Aerosmith'New York Dolls Mott The Hoople-Zutaten. "Two Steps From The Move" ist HANOI ROCKS' filinfte und beste LP. Produziert wurde sie von Bob Ezrin, der die besten Platten von Kiss, Alice Cooper und Lou Reed geschaffen hat. HANOI ROCKS sind die Erben der groBen Rock-Prinzen.
The "220 Volt" group is:
MATS KARLSSON - guitar
THOMAS DREVIN - guitar
MIKAEL LARSSON - bass
PETER HERMANSSON - drums
JOAKIM LUNDHOLM - vocals
English Text:
Electric voltage in Sweden is no doubt "220" volts. "220 VOLT" is Sweden's newest hard-rock band with members aged from 17 to 20. After their first album to be released in major territories, "220 VOLT" is ready to plug the world into their new high-energy LP "Power Base". Before you get it, listen to the Christmas carol they rocked Santa with - "Heavy Xmas to you"!
French Text:
La Suede fonctionne en 220 VOLT. Ils ont de 17 a 20 ans et sont en train de reussir une carriere internationale. 220 VOLT sort son nouvel album "Power Base". Branchez vous dessus et en attendant de vous faire sauter les plombs, ecoutez ce "Heavy Christmas" qu'ils ont ecrit pour le Pere Noel.
German Text:
Gangige Stromspannung in Schweden sind 220 Volt - und 220 Volt sind auch Schwedens neueste und wohl such jiingste Hard Rock-Helden, denn die Jungs sind gerade zwischen 17 und 20 Jahre alt. Mit ihrem Debiitalbum verschafften sie sich schon gehOrigen Respekt, ihr Hochspannungswerk "Power Base" soli sie zu Anwartern auf die Heavy Metal-Oberliga machen!
The "Madam X" group Is.
MAXINE PETRUCCI - lead guitar
BRET KAISER - lead vocals
ROXY PETRUCCI - drums
CHRIS "GODZILLA" DOLIDER - bass
English Text:
Emerging from Detroit in late 1981. MADAM X are Immediately distinguished by their line-up: on side the Petrucci sisters, on the other Chris "Godzilla" Dolibor, who bongs his guitar on his head to got his lumps and Brot Kaiser, whose throaty vocals make trim a giant rock shouter. Despite heavy resistance from club booking agents concerned about seeing girls on stage, the band managed to tour for three years in the hardest conditions and were finally spotted by Jet Records. Their first LP "We Deserve the Right" was produced by Rick Derringer. It's a killer.
French Text:
Forme fin 1981 A Detroit, Madam X no pout so confondro avec aucun groupo. D'un cot() los soours Petrucci of do l'autro Chris "Godzilla" Dolibor, qui so frappe la tato A coup do guitar() pour faire dos bosses of Bret Kaiser, lo hurlour fou.
Au depart los organisateurs do concerts ()Mayes do voir dos filles sur scone, lour pormottont raroment do tournor. Tout cola &wait s'arrangor avec la sortie do lour premier album "We Deserve the Right" realise per Rick Derringer sur Jet Records. C'est un disque dos.) X.
German Text:
Schon durch ihro Besetzung fallen die 1981 gogrtindoton Madam X nut: die Petrucci-Schwestorn out dor oinon Solt°, auf dor andoron Chris "Godzilla" Dolibor, dor Baumann, dor sein Instrument mit dom Kopf boarbeitot, und die gigantischo RockrOhro Bret Kaiser. Don Clubmanagorn waren zwoi heft Rockfrauon auf dor Btiline oft zu riskant; donnoch waren Madam X droi Jahro Pang unter hartoston Bodingungon nonstop act Tour, bis Jot Records sio schlioalich unter Vertrag nahm und sio, von Rick Derringer, produziert, Ihro erste LP aufnahmon. Dor passondo Titol: "We Deserve Tho Right"?
The "Kick Axe" group is
GEORGE CRISTON - lead vocals
LARRY GILLSTROM - lead guitar, vocals
RAY HARVEY - lead guitar, vocals
BRIAN GILLSTROM- drums, vocals
VICTOR LANGEN - bass, vocals
English Text:
Out of Regina (Saskatchewan) comes the now Canadian hard-rock sensation - founded by Larry Gillstrom and Victor Langer) in 1975, KICK AXE had been on the warpath of club tours for 8 years and opened for JUDAS PRIEST on their latest U.S. tour.
After meeting George Criston (the lead singer) they got a deal with PASHA producer Spencer Proffer (Quiet Riot's producer) who monitored their debut album, "VICES".
"VICES" is their first LP with blade-sharp tracks made to cut your ears off.
French Text:
Cole par Larry Gillstrom of Victor Langen en 1975, Kick Axe est lo nouveau phonemene du hard-rock canadien. Originaire de Regina au Saskatchewan, Kick Axe tourne depuis 8 ans et so sont fait remarquer l'annee derniere en premiere parfie de Judas Priest aux USA. Leur premier album realise par Spencer Proffer (realisateur des LP do Quiet Riot) s'appelle "VICES".
German Text
Soil ihrer Grilndung 1975 sind Kick Axo auf ihrem "Kriegs-plod" durch die Clubs und haben z.B. auch auf Judas Priest's letzter US-Tour gespielt. Spencer Proffer, der auch fur Quiet Riot arbeitet, hat das kanadische Ouintett unter Vertrag genommen und ihr DebUtalbum produziert. Mit "Vices" fahren Kick Axe oino rasiormesserscharle Attacke auf Heavy Metal-verwOhnto Ohron,
The "Quiet Riot" Group is
Carlos Cavazo - Guitar
Kevin Oubrow - Load Vocal
Frankie Banal! - Drums
Rudy Sarzo- Bass
Rudy Sarzo, born in Havana on 18 Nov 1950, is a bassist who became a cornerstone of ‘80s metal. From Quiet Riot’s Metal Health to Ozzy’s chaos, Whitesnake, and M.A.R.S., he toured and recorded with legends. Inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History in 2017, Rudy rejoined Quiet Riot in 2021, the last link to their glory days.
English Text
Your condition is not that critical, Mr. Quiet Riot. Your sound Is big, you've sold 5 million albums in the States with your first LP "Mental Health". By the way you're maybe the hardest working road band with two hundred gigs a year. After having delivered a new album produced by Spencer Proffer, the only thing you want to do is "PARTY ALL NIGHT". Your condition is great.
French Text
Votre condition nest pas si critique, Mr. Quiet Riot. Vous avez la pectic). Vous oyez vondu 5 million d'albums aux USA avec votre premier album MENTAL HEALTH. Difticile do trouver un groupo qui tourno plus quo vous. (200 concerts par an). Votro nouvel album realise par Spencer Proffer Wont de sortir of vous no ponsoz qu'a lair° la foto (Party all Night). Votre condition est geniale "Condition Critical"?
German Text
Uberhaupt nicht! Allein von ihrem debut album "Metal Health" habon Quiet Riot in den USA Ober 5 Millionen StUck vorkault, stieflon mit "Condition Critical" obonso in hOchsto Chartrogionon vor und sind mit Ober 200 Gigs im Jahr oino dor am hltrtoston arboitenden Heavy Metal Bands.
FASTWAY
The "Fastway" group is:
EDDIE CLARKE - guitar
JERRY SHIRLEY - drums
CHARLIE McCRACKEN - bass
DAVE KING - vocals
English Text:
In the summer of '82, Fast Eddie Clarke resigned from Motorhead, announcing he was forming a now band. In little over six months an album had been completed revolving around the frenetic guitar capabilities of Fast Eddie, the powerhouse drumming of Jerry Shirley and an unknown 21 year-old Irish vocalist, David King. After the first LP, bass player Charlie McCracken joined the group. Produced by Eddie Kramer who worked with Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones and other top bands, their new album "All Fired Up" is a winner. Already named "new" champions of British heavy rock, FASTWAY is the right way to rock.
French Text
Eta 1982, Fast Eddie Clarke quitte MOTORHEAD et forme son groupe. Six mois apres un premier album sort. Puis mi-84 un nouvel LP "ALL FIRED UP". Realise par Eddie Kramer qui s'etait fait remarquer en travaillant pour Led Zeppelin et les Rolling Stones, "ALL FIRED UP" a permis A FASTWAY d'etre declare "nouveau champion" du heavy-metal britannique. Ecoutez la voix de Dave King (recrute A 21 ans), Ia guitare mitraillette de Fast Eddie, Ia batterie marteau-piton de Jerry Shirley et la basso du nouveau venu Charlie McCracken -FASTWAY - la voie rapide.
German Text
Im Sommer '82 verlieB Fast Eddie Clarke Motorhead und kUndigte an, sick bald mit einer neuen Band zurUckzumelden. Sechs Monate spAter war es so weit, Fastway legten ihr erstes Album vor und Fast Eddie-Fans jubelten! Mehr denn je hat es Fast Eddie verstanden, den Sound der Gruppe um sein frenetisches Gitarrenspiel zu bauen. Mit ihrem zweiten Album "All Fired Up", produziert von Eddie Kramer (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones), sind Fastway zu Champions des britischen Heavy Rock oeworden.
HORIZON
HORIZON is
SHMOULIK AVIGAL - vocals
JACK NOBEL EN - load guitar
MARC VAN REUSEL - bass A
RTHUR VANLOON - drums
English Text:
After a single demo tape in October 1984. HORIZON started recording their soli-financed debut album "Master of the Game". Elected Holland's most promising band by Dutch hard-rock magazine AARDSCHOK, HORIZON Is the new Dutch sensation. Load vocalist Avigal Shmoulik has the voice that can deliver genuine headbanging tracks as well as subtle, slow songs. Lead guitar Jack Nobelen will curl your spine while bassist, Marc and drummer, Arthur, will grind your bones to dust. HORIZON is master of the rock game - they make the rules.
French Text:
HORIZON a finance son premier album MASTER OF THE GAME juste apres une seule maquette. Ils ont eu raison d'y croire - leur magazine hollandais AARDSCHOK vient de les nommer meilleur espoir hard de l'annee. Voila de quoi stimuler A. Shmoulik, le chanteur aussi A raise dans les morceaux d'enfer que dans les ballades les plus calmes, Jack Nobelen le guitariste grand-frisson et les tueurs de service, Marc lo bassiste et Arthur le batteur. HORIZON est maitre du jeux. Ils font leur propre regles.
STEVIE
English Text:
Born between France and Germany, she was bound for an international career (so said an old fortuneteller). In her late teens she already prowled the frozen stages of Scandinavia's clubs. In 1981, Stevie released a first LP as lead singer of the hard-rock band SPEED QUEEN. After a second LP rated in France as one of the best of the heavy-metal decade, she comes back from New York with a solo LP. This new album is called "GYPSY". So is Stevie - without frontiers and on the rocky road to success.
French Text:
Une voyante avait promis qu'elle serait une star. Nee a la frontiere allemande, Stevie ne pouvait que devenir une artiste internationale. A 18 ans elle fait deja fondre la glace dans les boites scandinaves. Peu de temps apres, elle forme SPEED-QUEEN, du cote de Mulhouse. Fin 1984 elle revient de New York avec un album solo. II s'appelle GYPSY -comme Stevie, sur la route et sans frontieres.
Music Genre:
Heavy Metal / Hard Rock
Album Production Information:
Album cover design: Gerard Duboscq
Record Label & Catalognr:
EPIC 26283
Media Format:
12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
Year & Country:
1985 Made in Netherlands
Tracklisting Side One:
Pretty Maids - Fortuna 0:24
Pretty Maids - Back To Back 3:33
Vengeance - Get Out 5:03
Trust - I Shall Return 4:28
Black 'N Blue - Autoblast 3:52
Hanoi Rocks - High School 3:56
220 Volt - Heavy Christmas 3:31
Tracklisting Side Two:
Madam X - Come On, Come All 3:06
Kick Axe - Heavy Metal Shuffle 3:14
Quiet Riot - Party All Night 3:32
Fastway - All Fired Up 2:43
Horizon - I Need Your Love 3:42
Stevie - Without You 5:18
High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover "NEW GLADIATORS - VA Heavy Metal Compilation"
The front cover of New Gladiators is a bold and fantastical illustration bursting with heavy metal iconography and sword & sorcery aesthetics. Set against a glowing yellow-green sky, the scene is framed inside a massive Roman-style coliseum, with stone arches receding dramatically into the background, giving a sense of scale and epic confrontation.
Dominating the foreground are three fierce warrior figures. At the center stands a muscular, bare-chested male gladiator with a snarling face beneath a spiked black helmet. He clutches an oversized electric guitar stylized as a battle axe, its strings crackling with white-hot sparks as if it's a weapon forged from sound and steel. A crimson cape flows behind him, heightening his imposing presence.
To the left, kneeling and facing forward, is a red-haired female warrior in a gleaming, skin-tight silver-and-blue armored corset. Her expression is both confident and defiant, and she holds a trident in a poised, ready-to-strike stance. Her hair is wild and wind-swept, and her metallic arm guards sparkle with deadly elegance.
On the right side, a second female gladiator charges forward. Clad in animal furs and metal armor, she wears a horned helmet and wields a massive, bladed staff or halberd. Her forward momentum and intense gaze add dynamic energy to the scene.
The album title, The New Gladiators, is emblazoned across the top in sharp, metallic red and white typography, reminiscent of sword blades or lightning bolts. Below the warriors, the names of contributing bands such as Trust, Stevie, Fastway, Horizon, Quiet Riot, and Pretty Maids are listed in bold yellow and red type, emphasizing the compilation nature of the album.
The cover is signed in the bottom left by the artist “G. Duboscq ’84,” grounding the fantastical imagery in its mid-1980s metal and comic book art heritage. This artwork perfectly captures the fusion of heroic fantasy and aggressive music that defined much of 1980s heavy metal culture.
Album Back Cover Photo of "NEW GLADIATORS - VA Heavy Metal Compilation"
The back cover of New Gladiators serves as a structured and highly visual tracklisting panel for the compilation album. Set on a solid black background, the design contrasts sharply with bold red and white text, bringing clarity and impact to the information. The band names are presented in capitalized red text, while track titles and durations appear in white.
The tracklist is split evenly into a left and right arrangement, each section accompanied by a thumbnail of the original album from which the track is sourced. Each album cover is vibrant and distinct, reinforcing the visual identity of each contributing band.
On the left side, the following tracks and albums are listed:
Pretty Maids – "Fortuna" (0:24) & "Back to Back" (3:33) from Red, Hot and Heavy
Vengeance – "Get Out" (5:03) from Vengeance
Trust – "I Shall Return" (4:25) from Rock ’n’ Roll
Black 'n Blue – "Autoblast" (3:52) from Black ’n Blue
Hanoi Rocks – "High School" (3:56) from Two Steps from the Move
220 Volt – "Heavy Christmas" (3:31), noted as not included in the album Mind Over Muscle
On the right side:
Madam X – "Come On, Come All" (3:06) from We Reserve the Right
Kick Axe – "Heavy Metal Shuffle" (3:14) from Vices
Quiet Riot – "Party All Night" (3:32) from Condition Critical
Fastway – "All Fired Up" (2:43) from All Fired Up
Horizon – "I Need Your Love" (3:42) from Master of the Game
Stevie – "Without You" (5:18) from Gypsy
At the bottom of the layout is a small production credit stating: “Front cover illustration: Gérard Duboscq (C) CBS 1984.” Epic and CBS logos are also present, denoting the label. The text is compact and informative, keeping the focus on showcasing both the diversity and quality of the artists included.
The overall presentation is clean, balanced, and informative—an essential companion to the vivid and fantastical front cover, grounding the release in its musical and visual context.
Inner Sleeve of "NEW GLADIATORS - VA Heavy Metal Compilation" Album
This inner sleeve of the New Gladiators compilation album serves as a detailed band directory, featuring printed text-only biographies and lineups for six of the featured acts. The page is divided into two main vertical columns and is designed with a minimalist aesthetic—black text on a white background—ensuring readability and focus on content.
At the top center of the page is the stylized New Gladiators logo in black, mirroring the album’s cover branding. Just beneath it, the bands are listed in alphabetical order across the columns, each section including:
Band name in uppercase
Members with roles (e.g., vocals, guitar, bass, drums)
Biographical text in English, followed by French and German translations for accessibility across European markets
The left column features:
Pretty Maids – Describes the band's origin in Denmark under Ken Hammer, early success with Red, Hot & Heavy, and their rise in the European metal scene.
Vengeance – Highlights the Dutch band’s breakthrough single, Prisoners of the Night, and their impact on the Holland hard rock scene.
Trust – Introduces the French metal pioneers and their hits Antisocial and Fatality, with mentions of their shows with Iron Maiden and Rockpalast Germany.
The right column includes:
Hanoi Rocks – Chronicles their Finnish origins, success with Oriental Beat and Two Steps from the Move, and production under Bob Ezrin.
Black 'n Blue – Covers their relocation from Portland to LA, tours with major acts, and recording with producer Dieter Dierks in Germany.
220 Volt – Describes the youth and energy of this Swedish band, their Power Base LP, and holiday track Heavy Xmas.
The multilingual layout not only serves promotional purposes but reflects the album's pan-European appeal. Each biography reinforces the uniqueness of the artist while situating them within the broader heavy metal landscape of the early 1980s.
The bottom right corner bears the production code "01-026283-20", identifying this pressing. Overall, the layout is clean and informative, offering fans a deeper understanding of the featured bands beyond just the tracklisting.
Photo of "NEW GLADIATORS - VA Heavy Metal Compilation" Album's Inner Sleeve
The second inner sleeve of the New Gladiators compilation continues the album's multilingual band presentations. Printed in black text on a plain white background, it maintains the same structured, information-heavy layout as the first inner sleeve. The stylized New Gladiators logo appears at the top center, tying the design together.
This page is divided into six rectangular text blocks, each dedicated to a different band featured on the compilation:
Madam X – Highlights their Detroit origin, the unique sibling duo of Maxine and Roxy Petrucci, and their defiant stage presence. The biography traces their journey through touring challenges and their eventual Jet Records signing for the album We Reserve The Right.
Quiet Riot – Emphasizes their commercial breakthrough in the U.S. with Metal Health, sold-out tours, and Spencer Proffer’s production of Condition Critical. A note praises their stamina as a touring band with over 200 gigs per year.
Horizon – Describes their self-financed LP Master of the Game, their selection as Holland's top hard rock act by Aardschok magazine, and the talents of lead vocalist Shmoulik Avigal and lead guitarist Jack Nobelen.
Kick Axe – Traces their beginnings in Saskatchewan, their 8-year grind through the club scene, and breakthrough under Spencer Proffer with their debut Vices. Members like George Criston and Victor Langen are highlighted.
Fastway – Tells the story of “Fast” Eddie Clarke’s departure from Motörhead and the creation of Fastway with powerhouse vocalist Dave King. Mentions Eddie Kramer’s production of All Fired Up and their reputation as Britain’s rising heavy rock force.
Stevie – Details the journey of a Franco-German vocalist who fronted Speed Queen before going solo. Her debut solo album Gypsy is described as borderless, mirroring her untamed, nomadic rock persona.
As with the companion sleeve, each entry is followed by translations in French and German, supporting the album's international reach and accessibility. The layout is consistent, typewriter-like in style, and devoid of imagery to allow full focus on textual content.
This sleeve functions as both a biographical archive and a marketing tool, giving fans deeper insights into each band’s identity and story. It effectively frames the album as a showcase of global heavy metal diversity in the mid-1980s.
Photo of "NEW GLADIATORS - VA Heavy Metal Compilation" 12" LP Record
This close-up photograph captures Side One of the New Gladiators compilation LP. Pressed by Epic Records, the label features a bold and stylized "Epic" logo at the top in a sweeping script, outlined in white and gold against a dark navy background. Below the logo, the album title THE NEW GLADIATORS is printed in silver-gray capital letters.
The outer edge of the label includes a fine ring of copyright and licensing text that encircles the content. On the left, it notes “STEREO” and the play speed “33⅓ RPM.” Directly beneath is the matrix number “01-026283-1.” The label is marked “EPC 26283” and categorized as Side One with an asterisk icon. The rights societies BIEM/STEMRA are also listed, indicating European licensing.
The tracklist is centered in silver print, listing six songs from various artists featured on this side:
1. Pretty Maids: “Fortuna” (0:24) and “Back to Back” (3:33)
2. Vengeance: “Get Out” (5:03)
3. Trust: “I Shall Return” (4:25)
4. Black 'n Blue: “Autoblast” (3:52)
5. Hanoi Rocks: “High School” (3:56)
6. 220 Volt: “Heavy Christmas” (3:31)
Each entry includes credits to composers, publishers, and copyright holders. The detailed text is densely packed but legible, printed in concentric alignment around the spindle hole, which sits neatly centered. The surface of the black vinyl subtly reflects light, revealing the grooves surrounding the label.
The label also includes a copyright notice at the bottom reading, “℗ 1985 CBS Inc,” confirming the release year and rights ownership. Overall, this image presents a precise and well-preserved example of 1980s heavy metal vinyl production and branding.
Behind the scenes, the production of "Future World" was entrusted to the seasoned hands of Eddie Kramer, a name synonymous with some of rock and metal's most iconic albums. Kramer's prowess had previously graced works by legendary acts like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Kiss.
The early 1980s marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of heavy metal. As the genre gained momentum, diverse subgenres emerged, each contributing a unique flavor to the overarching metal experience. Pretty Maids entered this landscape with their debut album, riding the wave of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal
"Red, Hot and Heavy" exudes a raw energy that epitomizes the spirit of heavy metal. The album is characterized by fast-paced guitar riffs, thunderous bass lines, powerful drumming, and soaring vocal performances by lead vocalist Ronnie Atkins.
