METAL FOR MUTHAS
Vol. I & II (Compilations)
Sanctuary Music (Reissues)

Rod Smallwood and Co. (that being Bruce Dickinson) have reissued some metal classics to commence the new millennium with their newly formed Sanctuary label, the new metal umbrella of Castle, CMC, Air-Raid, etc.

The original Metal For Muthas compilation, released on vinyl some twenty years ago, is unquestionably a true classic. Now, for the first time, this masterpiece is available on CD through Sanctuary Music. I remember buying this album when it first came out in 1979, when I was just a young tyke, and it literally blew me away! Compiled by Neal Kay from London's Heavy Metal Sound House; Metal For Muthas introduced what has widely become known as the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. MFM features the very first recordings from Iron Maiden (the rare Sound House Tapes' versions of "Sanctuary" and "Wrathchild.") The record also introduced the underrated cult phenomenon known as Angelwitch, with a Sabbathy tune called "Baphomet." Other highlights include the (pre-Bruce Bruce Dickinson) Samson epic "Tomorrow Or Yesterday," Sweden's own E.F. Band with "Fighting For Rock And Roll," (a classic tune), and the classy, progressive-metal song "Captured City" from Praying Mantis (one of the NWOBHM pioneers who unfortunately never met with much success.) The other bands on the album are not near as worthy. In fact two of the artists' inclusion, that being Toad The Wet Sprocket and Nutz, is enough to make one ponder "what in the hell was Neal Kay smoking at the time to even consider these bands?" Ethel The Frog contributes probably their best, and heaviest track, "Fight Back" (they released one Beatle-esque hardrock/pop album which was mediocre at best, although it did feature a damn good version of "Eleanor Rigby.") An inferior version of Sledgehammer's theme song is also included (the single version was much heavier.) Nonetheless, MFM is a historic metal compilation that should be in every true metal-head's collection!

On to Metal For Muthas Volume II. Again, one must ask, "what in God's name was Neal Kay smoking when he put this compilation together?!" Compared to the original Metal For Muthas, Volume II sucks ass! Out of all the brilliant unsigned metal bands that were performing in the UK at the time, it really makes me wonder how such an inferior album could have ever been compiled. In all fairness, Volume II (originally released on vinyl back in 1980) does have a few select gems on it, particularly the opening and closing cuts from Trespass; a truly underrated British metal band that unfortunately never got their fair dues. They released one rare 7" EP called Bright Lights around this same time that still sounds incredible today. As far as the other tracks worthy of mention, you've got "Cutting Loose" by Xero, a great song with very soulful vocals and a totally bitchin' opening riff and killer lead break! White Spirit (the original band of current Maiden guitarist Jannick Gers' who released a rare Purple-influenced album that same year) contributes the track "High Upon High," one of their weakest tunes, although it does feature a great vocal performance from Bruce Ruff. Dark Star was another band who never hit it big, but does contribute a catchy hard rockin' tune called "Lady Of Mars." "Hard Lines" by The Raid (formerly Jameson's Raid) is a decent tune with a great opening bass line, but is terribly hampered by the poor production. I won't even bother mentioning the bands on the record that suck. The overall production ("Cut Loud," as it boldly states on the front cover) is quite good, even better than its predecessor, it's just too band that the songs aren't nearly as strong.

My recommendation is to pick up the first volume of Metal For Muthas, as well as these other breakthrough British metal compilations of that era: Brute Force (MCA), Heavy Metal Heroes (Heavy Metal Records), Lead Weight (Neat Records), and Metal Explosion (BBC). It's my understanding that both Neat Records and Heavy Metal Records have reissued all their compilations on CD, as for the others, good luck rummaging through the vinyl bins.

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