"The Soundhouse Tapes" is the debut EP by British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on November 9, 1979. The EP features three tracks—Iron Maiden, Invasion, and Prowler—recorded during a single session at Spaceward Studios in Cambridge on December 30-31, 1978. These early versions of the songs are rougher than their subsequent studio recordings but showcase the band's raw energy and style. A fourth song, Strange World, was originally recorded but excluded from the EP due to dissatisfaction with its production quality.
The EP was produced independently by the band and released through their own label, Rock Hard Records. Only 5,000 copies were pressed, sold primarily through mail order, and sold out quickly. Its limited availability and the band's growing fanbase made it a highly sought-after collector's item, with copies now fetching high prices on the secondary market.
The recordings gained significant exposure after being played by DJ Neal Kay at his Soundhouse club, where Prowler topped the club's charts. This exposure helped Iron Maiden gain a following and catch the attention of future manager Rod Smallwood, who played a key role in securing the band’s first record deal with EMI later in 1979.
The success of The Soundhouse Tapes is considered a pivotal moment in the band's early career, as it demonstrated their DIY spirit and growing popularity. It also marked the beginning of their distinctive sound, which would define the heavy metal genre in the 1980s and beyond. Today, the EP is seen as a classic collector's item and a key release in the history of Iron Maiden.
