First Strike (album)

First Strike
EP by Def Leppard
Released 1985
Recorded Fairview Studios, Hull, United Kingdom, 1979
Genre Heavy metal
Def Leppard chronology

"Pyromania"
(1983)		 First Strike
(1985)		 "Hysteria"
(1987)

First Strike is a compilation EP released in 1985 by British hard rock band Def Leppard. The release contributes 7 tracks, 4 of which were released on their debut, all from their early days.

The front cover shows a map of the United States with rips from a leopard's claw (you can see the left front paw.) The back cover contains this message written by producer Frank Stuart-Brown: "This collection of early tapes proves the talent of five teenagers who took Sheffield and the rest of the U.K. by storm in 1979. These tracks established them as clear leaders in the resurgence of heavy metal rock and led to a first rate record deal which they are still currently enjoying. This album is dedicated to the band and to the many fans that have made them the big stars they are today."

"Answer to the Master", "When the Walls Come Tumbling Down", "Wasted", and "Sorrow is a Woman" were all rerecorded and released on Def Leppard's debut record: On Through the Night.

Track listing

All songs written by Def Leppard, except for noted below.

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Heat Street" Pete Willis, Rick Savage, Joe Elliott 2:51
2. "Answer to the Master" Willis, Elliott, Steve Clark, Savage 3:22
3. "See the Lights" Elliott, Clark 3:34
4. "When the Walls Come Tumbling Down" Clark, Elliott, Andrew Smith 3:47
5. "Wasted" Elliott, Clark 3:28
6. "Sorrow is a Woman" Savage, Willis, Clark, Elliott 3:49
7. "Glad I'm Alive" Elliott, Willis 4:09

Personnel