The Soundhouse Tapes is the debut EP by Iron Maiden, and features the first recordings by the band. Released on 9 November 1979, it features three songs taken from the demo tape recorded at Spaceward Studios on 30 and 31 December 1978. The three tracks Iron Maiden , Invasion and Prowler appear in a rougher form than they would on the band s eponymous debut studio album and subsequent singles, as they were all recorded in one session.
Although major retail chains tried to order large quantities of the record, the band only distributed 5,000 copies, available by mail order alone, which sold out in just a few weeks. Because of this, the EP is now a valuable collectors item.
