In Battle There Is No Law!
In Battle There Is No Law! is the debut album from Bolt Thrower, the British death metal band. It came out in June 1988 on Vinyl Solution. It was recorded at Loco studios with Andrew Fryer and mixed at Clockwork by Alan Scott.
The sound leans heavily on grindcore, and the socio-political lyrics reflect the members' crust punk roots, which shaped the record throughout. It is the starting point for a run of studio albums that continues with Realm of Chaos in 1989. The album was reissued in 1992 with a different sleeve, and again in 2005 with the original artwork restored. Its influence travelled too: Heaven Shall Burn borrowed the title for their debut EP as a tribute, crediting Bolt Thrower as a major influence.
In Battle There Is No Law!: tracklist and credits
9 tracks · 30:17Tracklist
- 1In Battle There Is No LawThomson, Ward, West5:01
- 2Challenge for PowerThomson, Ward, West3:34
- 3Forgotten ExistenceThomson, Ward, West3:44
- 4Denial of DestinyThomson, Ward, West2:30
- 5Blind to DefeatThomson, Ward, West2:20
- 6Concession of PainGavin Ward and Alan West2:57
- 7Attack in the AftermathThomson, Ward, West3:11
- 8Psychological WarfareThomson, Ward, West3:31
- 9Nuclear AnnihilationThomson, Ward, West3:29
- Produced by
- Andrew Fryer
- Recorded at
- Loco Studios, Rich Bitch Studios
- Recorded
- Loco Studios 1988
- Mixed by
- Al Scott
- Mixed at
- Clockwork Studios
- Engineered by
- Andrew Fryer
- Artwork
- Paul McHale
- Label
- Vinyl Solution
- Length
- 30:17
Line-up
- Jo Bench · bass guitar, electric bass guitar
- Barry Thomson · electric guitar
- Gavin Ward · electric guitar
- Andrew Whale · drums (drum set)
- Karl Willetts · lead vocals
From MusicBrainz and Wikipedia. Only what the sources record is shown.
Released the same week
Also released on 20 June
Every year →
More from Bolt Thrower
Full discography →
The best of 1988
All of 1988 →
Releases and pressings
How we know the release date wikipedia 1988-06-20 vs 1988-06-12 (musicbrainz)
| Source | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| MusicBrainz | 12 June 1988 | |
| Wikipedia infobox | 20 June 1988 | |
| Wikidata | 1988 | |
| UK / Europe release | 12 June 1988 | earliest UK or European date |
6 editions
| Date | Country | Label | Barcode | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 June 1988 | GB | Vinyl Solution | original | |
| 1992 | GB | Vinyl Solution | 5017687101123 | other |
| 2010 | XE | EFA | 5017687101123 | other |
| 2011 | GB | Back on Black | 803341342934 | other |
| 2022 | GB | Back on Black | 803341523357 | other |
| 13 February 2026 | DE | Darkness Shall Rise Productions | other |
Cover art sources
coverartarchive · upscaled: major: best source 1000x1000, upscaled to 1500 (x1.50)
| Source | Size | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| coverartarchive ✓ | 1000×1000 | upscaled: major: best source 1000x1000, upscaled to 1500 (x1.50) |
| fanarttv | 1000×1000 | upscaled |