Iron Maiden: The Soundhouse Tapes & More

On December 30th and 31st 1978, early demo versions were laid down in Spaceward Studios of what would eventually become the debut EP from future British metal giants Iron Maiden. The three tracks in question (‘Iron Maiden’, ‘Invasion’, ‘Prowler’) were all recorded within the same session, making for a far more primitive and raw offering than the finalised studio versions that would ultimately find their home on the band’s self-titled 1980 debut LP. This compilation restores the original three-track The Soundhouse Tapes EP, while including a bevvy of additional demos, alternative takes and live cuts from the formative, (pre-Bruce Dickinson) Paul Di’Anno era.

This kind of release always hits like a time capsule cracking open. The Soundhouse Tapes is Maiden before the world caught up, when they were still a fire-breathing East End club band carving their name into steel. Every take feels gritty, urgent and alive. You can hear the echo of the Bandwagon crowd in the bones of these recordings. Paul Di’Anno is in his prime, raw and sharp. Dave and Murray slash through riffs with that wild, youthful precision that defined the whole New Wave Of British Heavy Metal moment.

The “& More” portion on this Metal Madness issue usually pulls together early-era sessions, rehearsal cuts or rare live takes that collectors obsess over. It’s fan-service for the faithful, and it delivers. The sound varies from track to track, but that’s part of the charm. This is Maiden before the polish, before arenas, before Eddie evolved into a global mascot. This is pure London sweat and electricity, captured on tape when nothing was guaranteed except hunger and attitude.