Fates Warning "Night On Bröcken"

Night on Bröcken is the first studio album by progressive metal band Fates Warning, released in September 1984 through Metal Blade Records.

The title of the album is apparently a reference to the Brocken, a mountain in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, which is traditionally associated with witches (Walpurgis Night), most famously in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust (1806–31). The reference becomes apparent on two original album covers that "were scrapped prior to major distribution". The spelling is a typical example of a "metal umlaut".

Night on Bröcken has been reissued several times. The first edition, featuring the original cover art, was released only on vinyl and cassette. A CD edition with new cover art was released in 1988. A double compilation album, together with The Spectre Within (1985), was released in 1992. A remaster of Night on Bröcken was released in 1994, followed by another in 2002; the latter containing four bonus tracks and restoring the original cover art (albeit with a different font).

Track listing

1. "Buried Alive" Jim Matheos, John Arch 4:40
2. "The Calling" Matheos, Arch 5:03
3. "Kiss of Death" Matheos, Arch 4:38
4. "Night on Bröcken" Matheos, Victor Arduini, Arch 5:29
5. "S.E.K." Matheos 1:19
6. "Misfit" Arduini, Arch 5:06
7. "Shadowfax" Matheos 3:16
8. "Damnation" Matheos, Arch 6:27
9. "Soldier Boy" Arduini, Arch 6:24

Total length: 42:22

Basically, this is the demo recording, upgraded to first album status. Jim Matheos hates this album.

Released in limited quantities with two different covers before a third (the one with the moon) was adopted for major distribution. 

The album title, cover art and lyrics of the title song reference Walpurgis Night (April 30th), when, according to German folklore, witches meet on the Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains.

Recording information:

Recorded at The Gallery, East Hartford, CT

Mixed at Track Record

Mastered at Capitol Records