ASSASSIN - Outer Space Death LP

When talking about German thrash metal in the second half of the 1980s, one couldn't ignore Düsseldorf-based Assassin, who released their influential (just ask the Norwegian black metal scene) first two albums, "The Upcoming Terror" and "Interstellar Experience," in 1987 and 1988, respectively. The latter, widely regarded as a prime example of Teutonic thrash, was recorded at Music Lab Berlin with legendary producer Harris Johns (Kreator, Voivod), who had the band record the material live in the studio before the actual sessions. Now, these recordings are being released for the very first time via High Roller Records. Titled "Outer Space Death," the material was transferred from cassette, restored, and mastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony in late 2024. The result demonstrates how good Assassin were as performers and, for some, even surpasses the final album versions of the songs. "It's definitely worth listening to, because it sounds completely different," guitarist Dinko Vekić sums it up. "Outer Space Death" is by no means intended to be a better version of "Interstellar Experience" or even a replacement, but rather serves as a historical document that showcases the enormous potential of a lineup that had just formed but unfortunately broke up shortly after a tour with Death Angel and Rumble Militia.

Featured on the cover of the OSD booklet for the first time ever: The original version of the Interstellar Experience cover artwork, which was rejected by the band at the time — as well as the first two versions of the Assassin logo.

Original cassette transfer, audio restoration and mastering by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in November 2024.

Ltd 500x black vinyl, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover with 5mm spine, 12-page booklet, A4 insert, 4-page A4 insert, 8-page A4 booklet

High Roller 2025