December 2nd, 2023 - Früh Soundhouse Tapes

 

Hey there evildoers, headbangers, and craft brew lovers!  The Meista here today pairing the kick-ass, debut demo album "Soundhouse Tapes & Early Rarities 1978-1981" by NWOBHM legends Iron Maiden and a very crisp and crushable Früh Kölsch from Cölner Hofbräu Früh / Brauerei Früh am Dom!  Hell yeah! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Iron Maiden
• Title: "Soundhouse Tapes & Early Rarities 1978-1981"
• Recorded: December 30th and 31st, 1978 at Spaceward Studios in Cambridge, England as well as the Marquee Club and other various venues
• Release date: Original demo released November 9th, 1979; compilation album released 2021 (1st demo album by Iron Maiden)
• Record company: Rock Hard Records
• Production: Iron Maiden
• Album cover art: Steve Harris (design and artwork) and Rob Loonhouse (photography)
• Personnel: Paul Cairns (guitars), Paul Di'Anno (lead vocals), Steve Harris (bass and backing vocals), Dave Murray (guitars), and Doug Sampson (drums)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, NWOBHM
• Sound: Geez, what can you say about Maiden's early sound that already hasn't been written about countless times over the years?  Simply put, it is revolutionary, it is raw, it is definitive, it is freakin' brilliant!! 
• Major themes: Freedom, rebellion, aggression, evil, sorrow, lust, death, murder, revenge, etc.
• Tracks:  
1. "Iron Maiden"
2. "Invasion"
3. "Prowler"
4. "Strange World"
5. "Sanctuary"
6. "Wrathchild"
7. "Sanctuary"
8. "Running Free"
9. "Burning Ambition"
10. "Drifter"
11. "I've Got The Fire"
12. "Women In Uniform"
13. "Invasion"
14. "Phantom Of The Opera"
15. "Sanctuary"
16. "Running Free"
17. "Remember Tomorrow"
18. "Wrathchild"
19. "Killers"
20. "Innocent Exile"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Cölner Hofbräu Früh / Brauerei Früh am Dom (Cologne, Germany)
• Website: https://www.frueh.de/
• Brew: Früh Kölsch 
• Style: German Kölsch / Vollbier Kölsch
• Serving: 19 ounce can
• ABV: 4.8% 
• Pour: The Früh Kölsch pours a light golden color with a billowy and rocky, 2+ finger, bright white head with great retention and lots of sticky, layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is grainy, hoppy, floral, and slightly sweet.  There are aromas of light citrus, cracked wheat, lemongrass, freshly cut hay, grassy and floral hops, and a hint of apple.
• Taste: The taste of the Früh Kölsch follows the nose with grainy, hoppy, malty flavors.  There are notes of lemon zest, lemongrass, cereal grains, garden herbs, hints of apple or pear, lightly toasted white bread, minerals, light caramel, and grassy and floral hops with low bitterness.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Früh Kölsch is very crisp and refreshing with a dry, crisp, hoppy, yet clean finish.

Overall pairing: The Früh Kölsch is very crisp, very crushable and tasty traditional German beer... a perfect brew to accompany the classic metal onslaught that is the mighty Iron Maiden!  Also, früh means early in German, so I thought it very fitting with the earliest recording of Maiden!  'Nuff said!  

Cheers and hails headbangers!!  Up the Irons!!