Acid - Maniac LP + 7" 2025

High Roller Records, ULTIMATE EDITION, 4th pressing, 180g black vinyl, ltd 350, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover (revised) , lyric insert, poster (revised), black vinyl bonus 7" in picture sleeve, restored & mastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony, Cutting by SST Germany on Neumann machines for optimal quality on all levels...

Just a few months after their initial full-length “Acid” in 1983, Belgium’s finest of the same name churned out a record that perfectly blended their debut’s spontaneous energy with the subtlety of a well-practised band at the height of its powers.

“Maniac” is Acid’s key work without any doubt and belongs to the canon of early extreme metal, with genuine classics such as swaggering opener ‘Max Overload,’ the satanic romp of ‘Black Car’ or the rhythmically complex closer ‘Bottoms Up’ and, of course, ‘Lucifera’ as the group’s unofficial anthem.

The Bruges-based troupe, led by drum dervish Anvill and one-of-a-kind front woman Kate de Lombaert, were able to combine the spirit of punk and rock ’n’ roll with a degree of precision that antedated thrash as we know it today, thus becoming a much-revered name within the international underground.

As such, the album is the proverbial “all killer, no filler” affair, giving the likes of Black Sabbath, Motörhead and Venom – all of which shared stages with Acid – a hard time wherever the band played live … and will do so again. Right on time for Acid’s first reunion performance at Keep It True Festival 2020 in Germany, High Roller represses “Maniac” together with its pre- and successors.

The four tracks from the 1984 EP “Black Car” serve as bonus for both the CD and LP versions, added to the latter on a seprate 7” with with picture sleeve while the album proper comes in different colours, housed in 425g cardboard with lyric insert and poster. Patrick W. Engel restored and mastered the best lossless audio sources available at Temple of Disharmony, the LPs were cut at SST Germany on Neumann machines for optimal quality on all levels.

Acid is a speed metal/heavy metal band from Bruges, West Flanders, Belgium, that was formed in 1980. The band split up in 1985 and reformed in 2019. Not to be confused with Acid (13) from Germany.

Acid is a Belgian heavy metal band formed in 1980. Known for their energetic and raw sound, Acid quickly gained a cult following in the early '80s metal scene. The band's music is characterized by fast-paced, aggressive riffs, powerful drumming, and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Kate de Lombaert. Acid's style blends elements of speed metal and traditional heavy metal, delivering high-octane performances and straightforward, hard-hitting songs. Their lyrics often touch on themes of rebellion, power, and dark fantasy, making them a staple in the underground metal community.

"Maniac" - Album Description
"Maniac," released in 1983, is Acid's second studio album and a defining release in the early speed metal genre. The album features a raw and unfiltered sound, with tracks that are fast, furious, and filled with relentless energy. Songs like "Max Overload," "Lucifera," and the title track "Maniac" showcase the band's ability to deliver intense and memorable metal anthems. The album's production captures the raw power and intensity of Acid's live performances, making "Maniac" a classic and influential record in the speed metal and early thrash scenes.