Metal for Muthas (Various Artists Incl Iron Maiden) NWOBHM 12" Vinyl LP Album

Album Description & Collectors information:

"Metal for Muthas" is a compilation album of British heavy metal bands, which was released in February 1980. The album featured songs from lesser-known bands, which were hand-picked by Neal Kay, a British DJ who hosted a weekly heavy metal club night in London called Bandwagon. The album was released on the EMI label and became a landmark in the history of heavy metal music.

The album featured nine tracks by eight different bands, including Iron Maiden, Praying Mantis, Samson, Angel Witch, and others. The album was released on vinyl and cassette tape. The vinyl version of the album was a 12" LP, which became a popular format for heavy metal albums at the time. The cover art for the album featured a stylized cartoon image of a devilish knight figure holding a guitar.

The album was well-received by critics and fans alike, with its raw and energetic sound capturing the spirit of the British heavy metal scene of the time. The album's popularity led to a sequel, "Metal for Muthas" Volume II, which was released later in 1980. The success of the "Metal for Muthas" albums helped to pave the way for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), which would go on to have a significant impact on the global heavy metal scene.

The "Metal for Muthas" albums played a crucial role in the development of the NWOBHM, showcasing the talents of young and hungry British metal bands. The success of the albums helped to establish the careers of bands like Iron Maiden, who went on to become one of the biggest heavy metal bands in the world. The albums also served as a platform for lesser-known bands to gain exposure and build a fan base.

This is the first record of a series "Metal for Muthas" compilation LP's, it contains tracks a sampling of starting or well-known NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) bands.

This album marks a milestone in the history of NWOBHM

Top right corner:
EMC 3318
stereo
0C 062 - 07 202

Bottom right corner:
8001 TM Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd

There is no barcode on the album cover

 Record's Labels  

Side One:

EMC 3318A EMI STEREO o Side 1 EMC 3318
(p) 1980 EMI Records Ltd
Made in Gt Britain

 Side Two:

EMC 3318B EMI STEREO o Side 2 EMC 3318
(p) 1980 EMI Records Ltd
Made in Gt Britain

Music Genre:

Album Production Information:

The album: "VA Various Artists - Metal for Muthas Iron Maiden" was produced by Executive Production: Ashley Goodall

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Ron Hill: Dave Flower

Design & Art Direction: Rob Burt

Illustration: Peter Campbell

Record Label & Catalognr:

Media Format:

Year & Country:

Track-listing of "Metal for Muthas" with background detail information on each song.

IRON MAIDEN - Sanctuary
This is the original mix of the song SANCTUARY and was recorded in November 1979 and originally appeared on the 1980 Metal for Muthas compilation.
It was intended to a be single-only song but was added as a track on the US-release of the Iron Maiden self-titled album.
Producer – Neal Harrison

IRON MAIDEN - Wrathchild
Wrathchild is an early version of this song and was recorded in 1979.
Producer – Neal Harrison

SLEDGE HAMMER - Sledgehammer
Sledgehammer is from the 7" single recorded in 1979.
Producer – Mike Cooke

E.F. BAND - Fighting For Rock And Roll
The track "Fighting For Rock And Roll" by the "E.F. BAND" is only available on the "Metal for Muthas" compilation LP.

TOAD THE WET SPROCKET - Blues In A
"Blues in A" is probable the only NONE metal track on this album

PRAYING MANTIS - Captured City
Producer – Alan Leaming

ETHEL THE FROG - Fight Back
Ethel the Frog contributed the song "Fight Back" to the Neal Kay's Metal for Muthas compilations.

ANGEL WITCH - Baphomet
Angel Witch's first song to achieve mainstream popularity was "Baphomet", which was included on a compilation titled Metal for Muthas.
Producer – Chris Roger

SAMSON - Tomorrow Or Yesterday
Samson's "Tomorrow or Yesterday" is a track from Samson's first album "Survivors". Although Bruce Dickinson is mentioned on the cover of the album, he joined the band after this album was completed
Producer – J. McCoy

NUTZ - Bootliggers
Very obscure

Transcript of the Liner Notes

However, real talent cannot be ignored forever. Fashion is a five-minute wonder and when the rush of commercialism is over, real talent is left — exposed for all to see. I have been given the honour of adding sleeve notes to this L.P. which is a collection of talent (in many cases, the seeds of which were sown in the very hardest of times) currently leading the field in what has now become known as, the new wave of heavy -------- metal.

I believe the artists featured on this album are amongst the finest in their class, and, having opened the way, more are emerging, almost weekly, to add their stamp of originality on hard rock music. All new talent needs a break if it is going to be allowed to mature, and metal is no different. It merely needs more exposure than other music forms because it enjoys the least amount of media publicity and promotion. That is one of the main reasons for this L.P. being put together. Hard rock is an expression of emotion, heart-felt and sincerely delivered this album is the proof.

Metal is for Muthas — it is here to stay so the whole world had better get used to the idea! The L.P. tracks are not stagnant, dated or jaded, but fresh, original and dramatically hard. Honest and accurate in content, with all the talent and energy that will carry it into the eighties and beyond, this is an album that is a unique collectors' item today, and a recorded legacy for the rising fans and musicians of tomorrow.

Sleeve Notes: Neal Kay