Damn the machine

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Authored by American metal journalist David E. Gehlke, this 504-page book features cover art by Voivod drummer Michel ‘Away’ Langevin and a foreword by Blind Guardian vocalist Hansi Kürsch. It delves into the history of Germany’s Noise Records, a pivotal independent heavy metal label of the 1980s, founded by Karl-Ulrich Walterbach. The label was instrumental in signing and developing influential bands such as Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Coroner, Gamma Ray, Grave Digger, Helloween, Kreator, Running Wild, Skyclad, and Tankard, whose impact is still felt in the metal scene today. For the first time, Walterbach shares detailed accounts of his experiences in the music industry, rising from the Berlin punk scene to become a key figure in European metal after launching Noise in 1983. His instinct for talent made him a notable label impresario, though his abrasive personality often set him apart from industry norms. The book chronicles his early efforts to establish Noise amidst the burgeoning metal scene, highlighting his triumphs and struggles with major labels and the socio-political backdrop of running a record company near the Berlin Wall. It features over 75 exclusive interviews with band members, managers, and industry figures, providing a balanced perspective on a label that helped shape mainland Europe’s metal identity.