The band who formed on Christmas Day of 1975, Iron Maiden would go on as one of the biggest metal bands of all time, selling out concerts all over the globe. Every show was quite an unforgettable experience as the stage were filled with explosives and elaborate stage sets, and most importantly, band’s mascot Eddie always wreak havoc every time he comes out on the stage But before all these, touring and selling out stadiums — Iron Maiden were a four-piece metal band formed in England — In 1978, they’ve released “The Soundhouse Tapes,” a demo tape containing all the first recordings of Iron Maiden.
With the album, everything from signature song Iron Maiden sounds different, not something you quite expect out of them. It lacks the sound of a second guitarist because at some point they only four-piece band with founding member Dave Murray as the lead guitarist. Well, of course, like all demo tapes, “The Soundhouse Tapes” is very raw and sounds different from the versions found on the band’s self-titled debut album.
The album showcased the raw energy of the band. Paul Di’Anno’s voice being rough and punkish — is easy to understand on this demo — as his voice dominated the album. This thirty-minute demo is one of the most important records in the history of music, and it’s a vital one as it provided the first recordings of one of the most influential metal bands of all time.
Listen to the demo tape, The Soundhouse Tapes below: