Description
Blitzkrieg – Theatre Of The Damned – Vinyl Record
Blitzkrieg’s Theatre of the Damned (2007) is the seventh studio album by the British heavy metal band, known for being part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement in the early 1980s. Formed in 1980, Blitzkrieg gained a cult following with their mix of fast, aggressive riffs, melodic vocals, and theatrical, dark lyrics. While they never achieved the mainstream success of their NWOBHM peers like Iron Maiden or Saxon, Blitzkrieg has remained influential within the metal underground, with their classic track ‘Blitzkrieg’ famously covered by Metallica.
Theatre of the Damned captures the band’s trademark sound while showing they still had the energy and creativity to push forward decades into their career. The album combines classic metal riffing with themes of horror, mysticism, and storytelling, offering a polished yet raw take on traditional heavy metal.
Theatre of the Damned stays true to Blitzkrieg’s traditional heavy metal roots, featuring fast, galloping guitar riffs, melodic solos, and dynamic drumming. The music is a blend of NWOBHM’s early sound with a modern production that retains the raw, energetic feel of the genre’s heyday.
The album combines the melodic sensibilities of bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden with more aggressive thrash metal influences. Guitarists Ken Johnson and Guy Laverick deliver tight, harmonized leads and heavy rhythms, while Brian Ross’s powerful, operatic vocals add an epic, theatrical quality to the music.
With its horror-themed lyrics and dramatic compositions, the album has a gothic, theatrical atmosphere, drawing listeners into its dark, fantastical world. The use of spoken-word intros, narrative-driven lyrics, and eerie sound effects add to this storytelling style.
Key Tracks
“Theatre of the Damned”: The title track opens the album with an ominous spoken intro before launching into a fast, classic NWOBHM-style riff. The song’s lyrics explore themes of dark magic and the supernatural, with Brian Ross’s soaring vocals and the tight guitar work providing a powerful start to the album.
“Devil’s Spawn”: One of the heaviest tracks on the album, “Devil’s Spawn” features aggressive guitar work and a driving rhythm section. The song leans into darker, more menacing themes, with lyrics about demonic possession and evil forces. The raw energy and memorable chorus make it a standout track.
“My Life Is My Own”: This anthem of defiance and personal empowerment is one of the album’s more melodic and uplifting tracks. The powerful, mid-tempo riff and Ross’s impassioned vocals carry the song, making it a call to arms for self-determination and freedom.
“Spirit of the Legend”: Another fast-paced track, “Spirit of the Legend” is driven by a galloping rhythm and dual guitar harmonies reminiscent of early Iron Maiden. The lyrics focus on mythical storytelling, blending heroic themes with fantasy imagery.
“Tortured Souls”: A slower, more atmospheric track, “Tortured Souls” delves into the darker side of the album’s themes, with lyrics exploring suffering and despair. The haunting melody and Ross’s dramatic vocal performance give the song a sense of foreboding, adding variety to the album’s overall sound.
Much of Theatre of the Damned is lyrically inspired by horror, the occult, and mysticism. Songs like the title track and “Devil’s Spawn” dive into themes of supernatural forces, dark rituals, and the battle between good and evil. This thematic focus adds to the album’s dark, cinematic quality, making it feel like a metal soundtrack to a horror movie. Alongside the darker themes, the album also explores personal empowerment, particularly in songs like “My Life Is My Own.” These tracks reflect a rebellious, defiant spirit, with lyrics that emphasize self-determination and resistance to oppression, in keeping with the classic heavy metal ethos. Tracks like “Spirit of the Legend” and “The Passing” incorporate mythological and fantasy elements, adding an epic, otherworldly dimension to the album’s narrative style. These songs continue Blitzkrieg’s tradition of blending metal with storytelling, taking listeners on a journey through fantastical realms.
Brian Ross, the band’s long-standing frontman, delivers a powerful vocal performance throughout the album. His operatic, high-pitched style is reminiscent of classic metal vocalists like Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson, adding a sense of drama and grandeur to the songs. Ross’s ability to convey both aggression and emotion is key to the album’s impact. The dual guitar work of Ken Johnson and Guy Laverick is a standout feature on Theatre of the Damned. Their harmonized leads and heavy riffs are rooted in the NWOBHM tradition, combining melody with power. The solos are technically impressive but never overindulgent, serving the songs rather than overshadowing them. The rhythm section, led by Paul Brewis on bass and Phil Brewis on drums, provides a solid backbone for the album’s energetic sound. The bass and drums drive the faster, galloping rhythms of songs like “Spirit of the Legend” and “Theatre of the Damned,” while also adding weight to the slower, more atmospheric tracks like “Tortured Souls.”
Blitzkrieg is one of the many bands to emerge from the NWOBHM movement, which helped shape the sound of heavy metal in the 1980s. Though they never achieved the same level of commercial success as some of their contemporaries, they have remained influential within the metal underground. Theatre of the Damned is a testament to the band’s longevity and their commitment to the classic heavy metal sound.
Blitzkrieg’s influence is perhaps most famously recognized through Metallica’s cover of their 1981 track “Blitzkrieg,” which appeared as a B-side on Metallica’s Creeping Death single and later on Garage Inc.. This connection has helped keep Blitzkrieg’s legacy alive within the metal community.
Theatre of the Damned demonstrates Blitzkrieg’s dedication to the traditional heavy metal sound that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In an era where many metal bands were moving toward more extreme subgenres, Blitzkrieg remained true to their roots, keeping the spirit of NWOBHM alive for both old fans and new listeners.
Theatre of the Damned by Blitzkrieg is a strong entry in the band’s discography, blending traditional heavy metal with themes of horror, mysticism, and empowerment. The album stays true to the NWOBHM sound, featuring fast, galloping riffs, melodic guitar solos, and powerful vocals from Brian Ross. With its mix of dark, theatrical storytelling and classic metal energy, Theatre of the Damned offers both longtime fans of Blitzkrieg and newcomers a taste of what has made the band a cult favorite in the metal scene.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Theatre of the Damned
The Phantom
Devil’s Spawn
My Life Is My Own
Spirit of the Legend
The Passing
Into the Light
Tortured Souls
Together We Are Strong
Night Stalker
