Well, I came across this review on the Miskatonic website on the Soviet Invasion 12' and decided to copy it here as it is a description of the recording that contains the knowledge and enthusiasm the recording deserves. While Friends of Hell will always be my favorite record this is undoubtedly the Generals heaviest recording.
To this day when I hold it in my hands I am as curious and excited as when I first held it in 1982. I cannot describe the effect the record has had on my and of course Russ' life so I wont try. I can only agree with Rich's final sentence, your life is not complete without this in your collection.......see you at the bloody gates of hell!



Soviet invasion" 12" (
Well what can I say, this represents another one of those Holy Grail records for NWOBHM and Doom metal fans alike, because in my opinion this is far the rarest of all the mighty WITCHFINDER GENERAL’s releases. And also I would say, it’s their heaviest ever committed to vinyl. In fact many bands of today’s scene cannot compete with this truly mighty slab of vinyl, possibly because of digital recording and CDs, I mean you cannot ignore the fact that the sound on this 12” EP is utterly monstrous in its bottom end!!

featuring two exclusive tracks to its name, the “SOVIET INVASION” EP is the epitome of what Doom metal truly represents, from the opening track “SOVIET INVASION” we are subjected to yet again another masterful performance by the real Sons Of Sabbath, Non stop Sabbath style riffing and solo’s, I cannot do this release justice I feel by words alone for it is outstanding. Track two “RABIES” carries on exactly where “SOVIET INVASION” leaves off, but believe it or not, the riff’s are even HEAVIER and DOOMIER….Incredible is not the word. Zeeb and Phil were visionaries in their own way; no band has ever come so close to the Sabbath sound, not even Japans CHURCH OF MISERY.

Closer is a supposedly “Live” rendition of the “DEATH PENALTY” track “R.I.P”, but if this is live, then I’m Aldo cocksucker’s best friend! But what the hell, it’s a different recording of the LP version so I don’t care.

On average this might come up on E Bay a few times a year, or you might strike it lucky in a second hand store, but If you do not own this piece of metal history, then I pity you……Life is not complete without this metal monster in your collection.

In my opinion the reason why 'Soviet Invasion' E.P. sounded so heavy was the bottom end on the recording, and the credit there has to go to Toss McCready.

Toss had a superb heavy driving sound on the bass which was mixed right up alongside the guitar.

I think he used a 'Rickenbacker' bass through a 'Trace Elliott' amp.

Even the Live 1981 tracks had that great bottom end sound!

All hail to TOSS McCREADY!

Soviet Invasion was the "Holy Grail" of records that I was looking for in the 80's. To this day, it is the most expensive piece of vinyl that I have ever purchased. The reason was the RIP live track. Rabies was available on Heavy Metal Heroes, and Soviet Invasion had been included on a NWOBHM CD, but this was the only place to find RIP. Living in the US, there was an abundance of Death Penalty and Friends of Hell picture discs. The chance to hear Witchfinder General live kept me searching. I knew very little of the band, and wasn't even sure that they had ever played live. I always hoped that maybe there was a radio session out there somewhere. When I finally was able to get a copy, it was clear that the song was not really live, but it made me want more. There had to be more recordings out there. I'm am so happy that Phil decided to release them, even if I had to wait another 20 years.

All I have to say is "Phantasmagorical (Live 1981)"

Lyrics to the song "Phantasmagorical" can be seen in Zeeb's handwriting on the new LP release.KULT!!!

Dude. Right the frik on!