VA MISTER VARNEY PRESENTS U.S. METAL UNSUNG GUITAR HEROES 12" Vinyl LP Album
- Mission Accomplished: U.S. Guitar Kill!!!

"Mister Varney Presents U.S. Metal Unsung Guitar Heroes," a compilation encapsulated in a 12" LP Vinyl Album, unveils the hidden gems of late 1970s and early 1980s obscure American heavy metal. Curated by Mister Varney, this collection pays homage to the unsung guitar heroes of the era. Each track is a sonic revelation, spotlighting the raw talent and innovation that characterized underground metal during this pivotal period. This album becomes a treasure trove for enthusiasts, resurrecting the spirit of forgotten virtuosos and their contributions to the rich tapestry of American heavy metal history.

Album Description
Album Production Information
Track Listing
Photo Gallery

Mister Varney Presents U.S. Metal: Unsung Guitar Heroes – A Pivotal Moment in Heavy Metal History

Album Description:

In the early 1980s, the heavy metal landscape was undergoing a significant transformation. While established bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest were dominating the scene, a new wave of underground talent was bubbling beneath the surface. It was in this fertile ground that "Mister Varney Presents U.S. Metal: Unsung Guitar Heroes" emerged as a groundbreaking compilation album.

Historical Context

Released in 1981 on Shrapnel Records, the album was the brainchild of Mike Varney, a visionary figure in the heavy metal world. Varney recognized the untapped potential of American guitarists who were pushing the boundaries of the genre. "U.S. Metal" served as a platform to showcase these virtuosos, offering them exposure to a wider audience.

Musical Exploration

The album was a diverse collection of tracks that spanned the spectrum of heavy metal. Each song was a testament to the unique styles and technical prowess of the featured guitarists. This diverse range of tracks demonstrated the breadth and depth of the genre's emerging talent and Varney's commitment to unearthing and promoting the most innovative guitarists of the era.

Music Genre

"U.S. Metal" firmly established itself within the heavy metal genre, but it also pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable. The album featured elements of speed metal, neoclassical metal, and hard rock, creating a unique sound that resonated with a growing audience hungry for something new and exciting.

Producers and Key Performers

Mike Varney, the driving force behind the album, produced "U.S. Metal" with a keen ear for talent. He handpicked the guitarists featured on the album, ensuring a diverse and compelling collection of tracks.

Music Genre:

US Heavy Metal

Album Production Information:

The album: "MISTER VARNEY PRESENTS U.S. METAL UNSUNG GUITAR HEROES" was produced by: Mister Varney

Mike Varney – Producer, Shrapnel Records founder

The behind-the-scenes catalyst of the 80s shred boom, with late-70s punk fingerprints all over his origin story. Read more...

Mike Varney is the American producer and label boss who turned fast fingers into a business plan. I first clocked him in the late 1970s, thumping bass in San Francisco punks The Nuns, then moving to guitar with the Rocky Sullivan Band. Out in Novato, California, he founded Shrapnel Records in 1980, and by the early 1980s he was hunting new monsters via Guitar Player "Spotlight" and the U.S. Metal compilations. Mid-80s he supercharged the shred boom with releases tied to Steeler (with Yngwie Malmsteen) and Racer X, then kept the pipeline hot for Cacophony, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine and friends. Later he widened the map with Tone Center and Blues Bureau, still betting on feel as much as speed.

Mike Varney Wiki

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Scott Church, Michael Verchiani

This album was recorded by: Calypso Records, Novato, California

Mastered by: Paul Stubblebine at the Automatt, San Francisco, California

Album cover design: Mister Varney

Art direction: Another Coopirini Fantasy Illustration Cover

Album cover Illustration: Benny:

Record Label & Catalognr:

Shrapnel 1001

Album Packaging:

This album "Mister Varney Presents U.S. METAL - Unsung Guitar Heroes, " is a compilaton album of Metal Guitar Heroes published by Verney Metal Music Co.

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1981 Made in USA

Complete Track-listing of the album "Mister Varney Presents U.S. METAL - Unsung Guitar Heroes, "

The detailed tracklist of this record "Mister Varney Presents U.S. METAL - Unsung Guitar Heroes, " is:

U.S. Metal / Chumbi , Guitar EM Kay
Em Kay, a Marin County guitar legend, started playing at seven and passed on Berklee to embrace the rock scene’s raw edge. He formed Chumbi, a band famed for blending music with wild theatrics, like hurling guitars mid-solo. After rocking the East Coast and California, Chumbi opened for ’80s icons before disbanding. Em K later went solo, fusing classical pieces with his signature rock energy, solidifying his dynamic legacy.
Look into the Light / Exxe, Guitar Henri Hewitt
No Time / Gilles - Meblin Assault, Guitars: Bob Gilles, Dan Mablin
Outta Line / Whizkey Stik , Guitar; Carl McLaughlin, Produced by Terry Duoos, Whizkey Stik
Damascus / Issak Newton, Guitar Scott Roseman, Produced by Kent and Scott Roseman

Gettin Higher / The Rods, Guitar David "Rock" Feinstein, Produced by Carl Canedy and David "Rock" Feinstein.
Carl Canedy is a legendary drummer and producer whose impact on heavy metal spans decades. As a founding member of The Rods and a key producer behind bands like Anthrax and Exciter, his dynamic drumming and studio expertise have shaped countless classic albums. His passion for metal continues to inspire generations. Learn more about Carl Canedy.
The Snake / Greg Strong, Guitar Greg Strong, Produced by Mr Varney, Engineered and co-produced by Fred Waxler
Liquid Lady / Reddi Kilowatt, Guitar Terry Kilgore, Produced by Teddy Kilgore
Code 3 / Lyle Workman, Guitar Lyle Workman, Produced by Lyle Worknan and Bill Tarvin
Rockin' Disease / Toyz, Guitar Rob Lyndall, Produced by Toyz

Front Cover Photo Of Mister Varney Presents U.S. Metal Unsung Guitar Heroes 12" LP Vinyl Album

Illustrated album cover for U.S. Metal featuring a chaotic battlefield scene with soldiers dressed in military fatigues wielding electric guitars as weapons. Explosions and fires rage in the background while rockers battle with intense expressions, blending the themes of war and heavy metal. https://vinyl-records.nl — The album cover for U.S. Metal is a vivid and chaotic illustration that depicts a battlefield scene where soldiers are replaced by guitar-wielding rockers. The soldiers, dressed in military fatigues with “U.S. Metal” insignia, engage in an intense battle, but instead of conventional weapons, they brandish electric guitars like axes of war.

Explosions and fires rage in the background, casting an apocalyptic atmosphere over the landscape. Some figures wield their guitars like clubs, while others strum them mid-action, blending elements of war and heavy metal bravado. The scene exaggerates the raw power and aggression often associated with the genre, giving the impression of rock as a weapon of rebellion. The prominent “U.S. Metal” logo crowns the cover in bold red, reinforcing the album’s patriotic and hard-hitting theme.

The artwork is a tribute to the fierce, no-holds-barred spirit of heavy metal, presented as a sonic warzone where only the loudest survive.

Photo Of The Back Cover Mister Varney Presents U.S. Metal Unsung Guitar Heroes 12" LP Vinyl Album

Mister Varney Presents U.S. Metal Unsung Guitar Heroes 12" LP Vinyl Album back cover

Close up of Side One record's label Mister Varney Presents U.S. Metal Unsung Guitar Heroes 12" LP Vinyl Album

"U.S. Metal Unsung Guitar Heroes " Green Colour Shrapnel Record Label Details: SHRAPNEL 1001 ℗ 1981 Shrapnel Records Sound Copyright

The record label is bright green and features the logo of Shrapnel Records at the top, with an image of a tank above the word ‘Shrapnel’ in bold, curved text. Below the logo, the label reads: Mister Varney Presents U.S. Metal - Unsung Guitar Heroes. The text is neatly printed in black, listing five tracks for Side 1 with the associated artists and songwriters. The details include publishing credits, copyright information, and the year 1981. The catalog number, ‘Shrapnel 1001,’ appears on the right side of the label.

VA MISTER VARNEY PRESENTS U.S. METAL UNSUNG GUITAR HEROES 12" Vinyl LP Album - Mission Accomplished: U.S. Guitar Kill!!!

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