“The Soundhouse Tapes and Rare Early Tracks 1978-1981” is a wonderful release from all IRON MAIDEN fans out there and metal / hard rock in general. This CD packs 20 tracks, starting with the very first 1978 – now legendary – Iron Maiden demo, and other recordings featured in the Metal For Muthas compilation, a Friday Rock Show BBC appearance, early vinyl singles B-sides – all from a time before the band achieved major fame.
This is a bootleg CD, but so well done and with such good sound quality that almost has become ‘official’, still on sale at Amazon and other stores.
“The Soundhouse Tapes and Rare Early Tracks 1978-1981” documents where all started, at Spaceward Studios, Cambridge, the last day of 1978, on 31st December.
There are some differences between these tracks and their later recordings, for example, the tempo in the song ‘Iron Maiden’ is slower, but ‘Invasion’ is much faster compared to the Women In Uniform 1980 EP version.
‘Iron Maiden’ is the band’s theme song, and this early demo is just as energetic and empowering as the album version of the song, including many sections that blend into pretty much proto-speed metal.
Aside Steve Harris, Paul Di’anno and Dave Murray, this ealy Maiden featured drummer Doug Sampson, and guitarist Paul Cairns in the lineup. Contrary to popular belief, Dave Murray didn’t actually double-track the guitars on this demo. Paul Cairns was actually the second guitarist for this recording, although he wasn’t credited.
‘Prowler’ is of course another fun song, everyone is just playing their hearts out, and you have to give huge respect to the guys for being able to pull off such a good performance on a demo this old.
‘Invasion’ is the punkiest from the this early demo, and it’s such an addictive track. The fast-paced bridge and belligerent chorus along with the blazing drum intro and lyrics weirdly similar to “Invaders” from the Number of the Beast album, it stays strong and makes this The Soundhouse Tapes demo EP flawless in terms of songwriting.
Historical, a rarity and, more than that, a slice of molten metal magic.
Up the Irons!
01 – Iron Maiden (Soundhouse Tapes Demo 1979)
02 – Invasion (Soundhouse Tapes Demo 1979)
03 – Prowler (Soundhouse Tapes Demo 1979)
04 – Strange World (recorded 1978, appeared in Best Of The Beast 4LP Box 1996)
05 – Sanctuary (Friday Rock Show BBC Nov. 14th, 1979)
06 – Wrathchild (Metal For Muthas 1980)
07 – Sanctuary (Metal For Muthas 1980)
08 – Running Free (Axe Attack Compilation 1980)
09 – Burning Ambition (B-Side Running Free EP 1980)
10 – Drifter (Live At The Marquee, London April 3rd, 1980)
11 – I’ve Got The Fire (Live At The Marquee, London April 3rd, 1980)
12 – Women In Uniform (Single 1980)
13 – Invasion (B-Side Women In Uniform EP 1980)
14 – Phantom Of The Opera (Live At The Marquee July 4th, 1980)
15 – Sanctuary (Live!! + One EP Japan Release 1980)
16 – Running Free (Maiden Japan EP 1981)
17 – Remember Tomorrow (Maiden Japan EP 1981)
18 – Wrathchild (Maiden Japan EP 1981)
19 – Killers (Maiden Japan EP 1981)
20 – Innocent Exile (Maiden Japan EP 1981)