VA - British Steel ( NWOBHM Compilation ) 12" Vinyl LP Album

- England's Latest Heavy Metal Invasion

Album cover of British Steel NWOBHM Compilation. A powerful 3D metallic text 'British Steel' bursts through a torn Union Jack flag. Below, in bold white uppercase, the tagline reads 'England's Latest Heavy Metal Invasion'. Listed bands include Venom, Alaska, Hawkwind, Avenger, Tysondog, Nightwing, Rox, Twelfth Night, and Jess Cox.

"British Steel," a seminal NWOBHM compilation, emerged as a pinnacle in heavy metal's evolution during the late '70s and early '80s. Featuring tracks from iconic bands like Venom and Hawkwind, the 12" vinyl LP showcased the movement's raw power. Crafted by Mausoleum Records, the album cover became an emblem of rebellion. JCI/Metal Records' vinyl production added analog warmth, solidifying "British Steel" as a timeless artifact that propelled the NWOBHM movement onto the global stage.

Essential Album Information For: VARIOUS ARTISTS - British Steel ( NWOBHM Compilation )

"British Steel" Album Description:

In the world of music history, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) stands as a pivotal movement that reverberated across the global music landscape. One of the significant contributions to this genre was the compilation album "British Steel," a collection that showcased the raw power and innovation of England's burgeoning heavy metal scene during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Creation History:

The brainchild behind "British Steel" was the collaboration of various artists who were at the forefront of the NWOBHM movement. The compilation aimed to provide a platform for emerging bands to showcase their talent, defining a new era in heavy metal music.

Album Content:

Released as a 12" vinyl LP, "British Steel" featured tracks from some of the era's most iconic bands, including Venom, Alaska, Nightwing, Hawkwind, Rox, and others. Each contribution encapsulated the energy and spirit of the NWOBHM, portraying the diversity within the genre and setting the stage for the future of heavy metal.

Artistic Collaboration:

An integral aspect of the album's allure lies in its distinctive cover art, crafted by Mausoleum Records. The artwork not only served as a visual representation of the music contained within but also became an iconic symbol of the NWOBHM movement. The cover art, like the music, reflected the rebellious and edgy nature of the emerging heavy metal culture.

Vinyl Production:

JCI/Metal Records took charge of the vinyl LP production, ensuring that the album met the high standards set by the NWOBHM movement. The analog warmth of vinyl added a unique quality to the listening experience, capturing the essence of the era and solidifying "British Steel" as a cherished artifact in the vinyl record collector's realm.

Impact and Legacy:

"British Steel" played a crucial role in catapulting the NWOBHM movement into the international spotlight. Its influence extended far beyond the borders of England, shaping the trajectory of heavy metal for years to come. The compilation remains a testament to the vitality of the era and the enduring legacy of the bands that contributed to its creation.

Music Genre:

British Heavy Metal, NWOBHM

Label & Catalognr:

Mausoleum Records – SKULL 8376, JCI 1100

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

1986 Made in Belgium

Track-listing of: VARIOUS ARTISTS - British Steel ( NWOBHM Compilation )

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Nightwing - Call Your Name 3:29
  2. Rox - Love Ya Like A Diamond 4:38
  3. Alaska - The Sorcerer 6:02
  4. Jess Cox - One In A Million 3:20
  5. Hawkwind - Kings Of Speed 4:28
  6. Venom - Witching Hour 3:38
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Avenger - Revenge Attack 4:12
  2. Venom - Warhead 3:20
  3. Tysondog - Eat The Rich 4:16
  4. Twelfth Night - The Ceiling Speaks 7:14
  5. Alaska - Suzie Blue 3:36
  6. Rox - Daylight Robbery 5:15

VARIOUS ARTISTS - British Steel ( NWOBHM Compilation ) High Resolution & Quality Photos

Front Cover Photo Of VARIOUS ARTISTS - British Steel ( NWOBHM Compilation )
Album cover of British Steel NWOBHM Compilation. A powerful 3D metallic text 'British Steel' bursts through a torn Union Jack flag. Below, in bold white uppercase, the tagline reads 'England's Latest Heavy Metal Invasion'. Listed bands include Venom, Alaska, Hawkwind, Avenger, Tysondog, Nightwing, Rox, Twelfth Night, and Jess Cox.

This visually intense album cover art for British Steel, a NWOBHM compilation, features a dramatic visual of the phrase BRITISH STEEL rendered in large, chrome-like 3D block letters. The typography is sharply angular, with beveled metallic edges that gleam with white highlights, emphasizing its bold, industrial look.

The background is a stylized depiction of the British Union Jack flag, vividly painted in red, white, and blue. The flag appears to be torn apart, as if ripped violently by the force of the words exploding outward. The rip effect is accentuated with tan-colored tears and blackened edges, suggesting a scorched and rebellious energy that matches the aggressive ethos of heavy metal.

Beneath the main title, a white block of text proclaims: ENGLAND'S LATEST HEAVY METAL INVASION. Below that, against a black banner, are the names of the featured bands in smaller white uppercase text: Venom, Alaska, Hawkwind, Avenger, Tysondog, Nightwing, Rox, Twelfth Night, Jess Cox.

The entire composition captures the raw, defiant spirit of early 1980s British heavy metal, marrying patriotic iconography with aggressive artistic expression typical of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era.

Photo Of The Back Cover VARIOUS ARTISTS - British Steel ( NWOBHM Compilation )
Back cover of the VARIOUS ARTISTS - British Steel NWOBHM Compilation vinyl LP. Features tracklisting for Side One and Side Two, centered British Steel artwork, and Mausoleum Records info. Artists include Nightwing, Rox, Venom, Alaska, Hawkwind, Jess Cox, Avenger, Tysondog, Twelfth Night.

This is the back cover of the 1986 vinyl LP British Steel compilation, released by Mausoleum Records. It features a clean, minimalist layout set against a matte black background, with white serif text providing clarity and contrast.

Centered near the top is the slogan ENGLAND'S LATEST HEAVY METAL INVASION in bold uppercase. Below it sits a small, centered reproduction of the front cover artwork, showcasing the explosive "BRITISH STEEL" logo bursting through the Union Jack flag.

The tracklist is split evenly into two columns for Side One and Side Two. Each song entry includes the artist name in uppercase, the track title in quotation marks, the songwriter(s) in parentheses, and the track duration aligned to the right.

Artists listed include Nightwing, Rox, Alaska, Jess Cox, Hawkwind, Venom on Side One, and Avenger, Venom, Tysondog, Twelfth Night, Alaska, Rox on Side Two. Each band represents a different facet of the NWOBHM movement.

At the bottom left corner, in striking red, is the Mausoleum logo, followed by the full label address in Belgium. A copyright notice and SKULL 8376 catalog number appear along the bottom edge, indicating its unique press identity.

Photo of Side One of VARIOUS ARTISTS - British Steel ( NWOBHM Compilation )
Side One label of British Steel NWOBHM Compilation vinyl LP, released in 1986 by Metal Records. Displays track list including Nightwing, Rox, Alaska, Jess Cox, Hawkwind, and Venom with publisher details, STEMRA rights, and catalog number JCI 1100A.

This is the center label of Side One of the 1986 vinyl LP British Steel, released by Metal Records. The label is printed on a matte silver background with bold purple and blue text. At the top, the iconic METAL RECORDS logo is prominently displayed in a stylized, electric font.

The left side of the label provides format information: SIDE 1, STEREO, and STEMRA—indicating the Dutch performance rights organization. The right side includes the catalog number JCI 1100A, production year (P) 1986, and playback speed 33⅓ RPM.

The center lists six tracks, each including the artist, track title, songwriter(s), and publisher:
1. NIGHTWING – "Call your Name" (Steve Bartley), Munnycroft Ltd.
2. ROX – "Love ya like a Diamond" (Rox), Take Out Music
3. ALASKA – "The Sorcerer" (Marsden), Warner Bros
4. JESS COX – "One in a Million" (Sewell), Filmtrax Plc/Neat Music
5. HAWKWIND – "Kings of Speed" (Dave Brock), United Artists Music/Bardell Smith
6. VENOM – "Witching Hour" (Lant, Dunn and Bray), Filmtrax Plc/Neat Music

Surrounding the outer edge is a copyright warning stating that unauthorized reproduction and broadcasting of the record is prohibited. The phrase "Made in EEC" indicates the European Economic Community origin.

Photo of Side Two of VARIOUS ARTISTS - British Steel ( NWOBHM Compilation )
Side Two label of British Steel NWOBHM Compilation vinyl LP, 1986 release by Metal Records. Includes tracks by Avenger, Venom, Tysondog, Twelfth Night, Alaska, and Rox. Features publishing and rights info, STEMRA logo, and catalog number JCI 1100B.

Shown here is the center label of Side Two of the British Steel compilation vinyl LP, released in 1986 by Metal Records. The label has a silver matte finish with clean black and purple text. At the top, the striking METAL RECORDS logo appears again in its signature angular typeface.

To the left, the text reads SIDE 2, STEREO, and STEMRA, referring to the Dutch music rights organization. On the right, the catalog number is marked as JCI 1100B, with the release year (P) 1986 and playback speed 33⅓ RPM.

The label lists six tracks for Side Two:
1. AVENGER – "Revenge Attack" (Swift, Young, Moore), Filmtrax Plc/Neat Music
2. VENOM – "Warhead" (Lant, Dunn and Bray), Filmtrax Plc/Neat Music
3. TYSONDOG – "Eat the Rich" (P. Bardis), Filmtrax Plc/Neat Music
4. TWELFTH NIGHT – "The Ceiling Speaks" (Twelfth Night), Hit & Run Music
5. ALASKA – "Suzie Blue" (Hawthorne, Marsden, Bailey), Warner Bros
6. ROX – "Daylight Robbery" (Rox), Take Out Music

Around the outer rim of the label is a circular copyright notice that restricts unauthorized public performance, copying, hiring, and broadcasting. The record is identified as Made in EEC, signifying its European manufacture and distribution.

Mausoleum Vinyl Records Discography

MAUSOLEUM Records: Belgian keepers of a vast vinyl legacy. Founded in 1980, their catalog spans heavy metal, hard rock, and punk. Discover rare gems, cult classics, and legendary artists. Dive into their discography and unearth the sonic treasures waiting to be spun.