OSTROGOTH Ecstasy and Danger SLIPCASE [CD]

HRR 894CD, slipcase, poster

Transfer, mastering and audio restoration by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in April 2022.

After the success of »Full Moon’s Eyes«, it was time for Ostrogoth to start recording their debut full-length, to be entitled »Ecstasy And Danger«. Knowing that changing a winning team is never a good option, the band and Mausoleum decided to return to Kritz Studios in Kuurne. After all, Kuurne wasn’t too far away from the band’s home base Ghent, and the band really felt at home at Kritz. The recording and mixing sessions were spread over four days between 6th of October and 11 the October 1983.

As with »Full Moon’s Eyes«, all songs had been selected beforehand and the band was prepared to the max. Once again, all five band members were constantly present throughout the entire recording process. According to bassist Marnix Van de Kaute, it was the most pleasant recording session of his career, for the atmosphere was excellent and relaxed, there were no discussions and a large amount of humour. Studio owner Fritz Valcke once again co-produced, together with the band. Fritz also took care of the mixing again, for he had a great pair of ears, and was quick to adjust all possible minor flaws.

When it comes to executive producers Alfie Falkenbach, Stonne Holmgren and Leo Felsenstein: although they did show up in the studio, they didn’t intervene in the recording process. Obviously Alfie was the label boss and responsible for the cash flow, and Stonne and Leo were his partners. The only thing they weren’t too pleased with was the rather high bill for the band’s bar consumptions during the sessions.

Mausoleum also came up with the artist that would provide the cover for »Ecstasy And Danger«, Eric Philippe. Alfie invited Eric and the band to the Mausoleum Records headquarters one day, in order to go through Eric’s portfolio of covers he already had. The band first laid eyes on the slide with the scorpion cover and they all fell in love with it immediately. They felt that the scorpion represented ecstasy, while the grenade stood for danger. It was then and there that the band settled on »Ecstasy And Danger« as the album’s title.

As 1984 came to an end, Ostrogoth played one final gig at Zaal Jonkhove in Aartrijke. Once the festive season would be over, the band would start to record the follow-up to »Ecstasy And Danger«. But that’s another story.

Eddy Vermeiren