 Sounds gave Metal for Muthas a poor review , but the album was nevertheless a commercial success and may have been instrumental in encouraging major labels to sign a few more bands . A II Z , Fist , White Spirit and Praying Mantis were dropped after the release of their debut albums , while Tygers of Pan Tang , Samson , More , Demon and Girlschool had more success and lasted longer on major labels ' line @-@ ups . The new releases by these bands were better produced and some of them , with the support of intensive tours in the UK and Europe , obtained good chart results . The best chart performances of that period were for Iron Maiden 's debut album Iron Maiden and for Wheels of Steel by Saxon , which reached No. 4 and No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart respectively , while their singles " Running Free " , " Wheels of Steel " and " 747 ( Strangers in the Night ) " entered the UK Singles Chart Top 50 . The immediate consequence of that success was increased media coverage for metal bands , which included appearances on the British music TV shows Top of the Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test . The emergence of many new bands in the period between 1978 and 1980 was another remarkable effect of the promotion of the movement to a relevant national phenomenon . 
