 Compilation albums featuring bands from the nascent movement started to circulate , issued by Neat Records , Heavy Metal Records and Ebony Records , companies that became leaders in the independent metal label market during the 1980s . The fresh outlet of Neal Kay 's chart , the attention of Sounds and the many compilations issued by independent labels , focused the efforts of the new bands on producing demos and singles . Iron Maiden 's The Soundhouse Tapes is one of the best known collections of such demos . As Barton recalled : " There were hundreds of these bands . Maybe even thousands . Barely a day would go by without a clutch of new NWOBHM singles arriving in the Sounds office . " 
