Various Artists (Avatar, Stefan Rodd, Slammer) – The Era of Vinyl & The Dawn of Metal: 1980s US Metal Vinyl Years Vol. 1

This compilation gathers rare gems from the 1980s underground heavy metal scene. It features 21 tracks—drawn primarily from self-released albums and extremely limited-run singles or EPs—that are difficult to find today. The collection showcases talented bands highly regarded by connoisseurs, such as Avatar, Satin Steel, Slammer, Faith Of Steel, and Mansfield. It also includes rare material from “cult” artists like Steffan Rodd, The Beast, and Sashay, allowing listeners to fully experience the diverse appeal of the era’s underground metal. From melodic, traditional heavy metal to high-speed, powerful anthems, the album is packed with the driving guitar riffs and impassioned vocals characteristic of the 80s. Though these bands never achieved mainstream commercial success, their sound—fueled by passion and individuality—remains as impactful and vibrant as ever. A must-have for vintage metal fans, this album distills the true essence of the underground scene—something rarely found in major-label releases. It is a valuable compilation recommended for collectors, offering the chance to discover hidden masterpieces and legendary, obscure bands. 1.City Beneath The Surface / AVATAR 2.Sirens / AVATAR 3.The Whip / AVATAR 4.Shocker / STEFFAN RODD 5.Waste / STEFFAN RODD 6.Blow Your Face Off / STEFFAN RODD 7.Airport Lady / STEFFAN RODD 8.The Beast / THE BEAST 9.Radical Man / THE BEAST 10.Enemy Ace / THE BEAST 11.The Shape / THE BEAST 12.Kick Me Where It Hurts / SATIN STEEL 13.Let’s Not Die / SATIN STEEL 14.M.I.A. / SLAMMER 15.Metal Anguish / SLAMMER 16.Looking For Some Action / SASHAY 17.Together / SASHAY 18.Metal With Meaning / FAITH OF STEEL 19.Our Savior / FAITH OF STEEL 20.Gonna Rock You / MANSFIELD 21.Overdrive / MANSFIELD 1~3 : AVATAR “City Beneath The Surface” EP 1983 4~7 : STEFFAN RODD “Shocker” EP 1983 8~11 : THE BEAST “Power Metal E.P.” EP 1983 12~13 : SATIN STEEL “Kick Me Where It Hurts” Single 1985 14~15 : SLAMMER “M.I.A.” Single 1986 16~17 : SASHAY “Looking For Some Action” Single 1986 18~19 : FAITH OF STEEL “Metal With Meaning” Single 1986 20~21 : MANSFIELD “Gonna Rock You” Single 1983