Various Artists - Music For Nations The Singles Vinyl Album 2LP
- A Journey Through Heavy Metal History
"Explore the golden era of heavy metal with 'Music For Nations: The Singles Vinyl Album 2LP.' Housed in a captivating gatefold cover adorned with iconic band photos, this compilation features legendary acts like Metallica, W.A.S.P., and Mercyful Fate. A visual and auditory feast, the album showcases the diverse legacy of Music For Nations, providing a nostalgic journey for metal enthusiasts and a gateway for new generations."
The world of heavy metal has a rich and diverse history, filled with iconic bands that have left an indelible mark on the genre. One remarkable testament to this legacy is the "Music For Nations: The Singles Vinyl Album 2LP." This double LP, housed in a captivating gatefold cover adorned with photos of the legendary bands associated with Music For Nations, takes us on a thrilling journey through the realms of hard-hitting rock and metal.
Inside the Gatefold:
Opening the gatefold cover reveals a treasure trove of visual delights – a panoramic showcase of the bands featured on the album. The captivating images offer a glimpse into the vibrant and dynamic personalities that have defined the metal landscape. It's not just an auditory experience; it's a visual feast for fans who are eager to connect with the essence of these iconic groups.
The Featured Bands:
The lineup for this special vinyl album reads like a who's who of heavy metal royalty, spanning multiple sub-genres and showcasing the eclectic taste of Music For Nations. Here are the bands that grace the grooves of this 2LP masterpiece:
1. Alaska
2. Baby Tuckoo
3. Earthshaker
4. Eric Martin
5. Exciter
6. Legs Diamond
7. Loudness
8. Mercyful Fate
9. Metallica
10. Q5
11. Rio
12. Rogue Male
13. Rox
14. Tank
15. Virgin Steele
16. W.A.S.P.
17. Waysted
18. Wendy O'Williams
The Musical Odyssey:
As the needle drops and the vinyl spins, listeners are taken on a musical odyssey that traverses the diverse landscapes of heavy metal. From the dark and theatrical realms of Mercyful Fate to the raw power of Metallica, each band brings its unique flavor to the compilation, showcasing the evolution and diversity of the genre during the era.
Noteworthy Tracks:
This vinyl album is a carefully curated selection of singles that have left an enduring impact on the metal scene. Classics like Metallica's "Jump in the Fire," Mercyful Fate's "Black Funeral," and W.A.S.P.'s "Animal (F**k Like a Beast)" resonate with the raw energy and rebellious spirit that define the essence of heavy metal.
The Legacy of Music For Nations:
Music For Nations, the iconic record label responsible for this compilation, played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of heavy metal during the '80s. By bringing together a roster of influential and groundbreaking bands, they became synonymous with quality and innovation in the genre.
Music Genre:
Best in Heavy Metal
Album Production Information:
The album: "Singles Album" was produced by: Music For Nations
Record Label & Catalognr:
Music For Nations MFN 71
Media Format:
12" Double Vinyl LP Gramophone Record
Album weight: 370 gram
Year & Country:
1986 Made in USA
Complete Track Listing of: "Singles Album"
Side 1
1. TANK - Echoes of a Distant Battle (5:00)
Produced by John Verity
2. ROX - Sweet Sixteen (2:39)
Produced by Martin Hooker/ROX
3. VIRGIN STEELE - A Cry in the Night (Remix) (4:03)
Produced by David De Feis/Al Smith
4. METALLICA - Jump in the Fire (4:50)
Produced by Paul Curcio
5. MERCYFUL FATE - Black Funeral (2:47)
Produced by Henrik Lund
6. EARTHSHAKER - Blondie Girl (3:35)
Producer not listed
Side 2
1. ALASKA - Suzie Blue (3:35)
Produced by Bernie Marsden
2. W.A.S.P. - Animal (F*** Like a Beast) (3:05)
Produced by Mike Varney
3. LOUDNESS - Roadracer (4:20)
Produced by Loudness
4. WENDY O'WILLIAMS - It’s My Life (3:58)
Produced by Gene Simmons
5. METALLICA - Creeping Death (6:36)
Produced by Metallica
6. EXCITER - Feel the Knife (2:55)
Produced by Guy Bidmead
Side 3
1. ROGUE MALE - All Over You (6:34)
Produced by Steve James
2. Q5 - Steel the Light (6:04)
Produced by Floyd Rose/Mike Flicker
3. ALASKA - Miss You Tonight (3:55)
Produced by Bernie Marsden
4. WATCHTOWER - Heaven Tonight (3:43)
Produced by Lou Sternberg
5. RIO - I Don’t Wanna Be the Fool (3:44)
Produced by Stephan Galfas/Steve Rodford
Side 4
1. ERIC MARTIN - Information (3:48)
Produced by Danny Kortchmar/Greg Ladanyi
2. BABY TUCKOO - Rock (Rock) (5:24)
Produced by Lou Sternberg
3. LEGS DIAMOND - Turn to Stone (4:29)
Produced by Robert Hibble/Jim May/Michael Prince
4. ROGUE MALE - Belfast (3:58)
Produced by Steve James
5. RIO - Atlantic Radio (3:28)
Produced by Steve Rodford
6. AGENT STEEL - The Swarm is Upon Us (4:37)
Produced by Agent Steel
Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Music For Nations The Singles Album 2LP
Photo of "Singles Album" Album's Front Cover
Front cover of "Music For Nations: The Singles Album" 2LP, designed in striking red, yellow, and black hues. A stylized, illustrated man dominates the right half of the image. He is muscular, has combed dark brown hair, and wears an open-collared yellow shirt. His expression is serious and determined as he stretches his left arm across the image, grasping a large red flag that sweeps from the upper left corner to the lower right.
Behind him, the background features sweeping red woodgrain textures. In the upper portion, the "Music For Nations" logo is prominently displayed in bold yellow capital letters with a large stylized "N" and "S". Below it, in white bold sans-serif font, are the words: "THE SINGLES ALBUM".
On the lower left quadrant, over a black triangle, white text reads: "OVER 100 MINUTES OF THE BEST IN HEAVY METAL". Below that, band names appear in bright yellow uppercase letters: METALLICA, W.A.S.P., EXCITER, WAYSTED, MERCYFUL FATE, LOUDNESS, ROGUE MALE, Q.5., LEGS DIAMOND, AGENT STEEL + MANY MORE.
The overall visual conveys power, intensity, and pride—qualities synonymous with the heavy metal genre and the iconic status of this 1986 compilation album.
Photo of "Singles Album" Album's Back Cover
Back cover of "Music For Nations: The Singles Album" 2LP, designed with a red woodgrain background and bold yellow and white typography. The album title "THE SINGLES ALBUM" appears prominently at the top in large uppercase yellow letters, split by a red vertical line and centered against the background.
The main content is a black box centered on the cover, listing the full tracklist across Side 1 through Side 4. Each side is headed with a bold yellow label (e.g., "SIDE 1") on the left margin. Tracks are listed numerically in white and red text, with each entry including the artist, track title, songwriter credits in parentheses, track duration, and producer details.
Bands such as Metallica, Mercyful Fate, W.A.S.P., Exciter, Q5, Rogue Male, and Agent Steel are featured, showcasing a wide range of heavy metal talent. The bottom center of the cover lists the publisher's address: Music For Nations, 4th Floor, 8 Carnaby St, London W1V 1PG.
In the top right corner, a yellow sticker-like label displays the catalog number MFN 71 and a handwritten retail price 6.32. The entire layout emphasizes the archival and collector's value of this release, with structured detail and vintage aesthetic.
Photo of "Singles Album" Album's Inner Cover
Inner gatefold photo collage from "Music For Nations: The Singles Album" 2LP, featuring a vibrant layout of artist portraits arranged diagonally and bordered with thin yellow outlines. The background is a bold, flat red that makes each photo pop with dynamic contrast.
At the top left is Rogue Male, shown in full glam-metal attire with face paint, studded gear, and intense expressions. To the right, Eric Martin stands against a textured wall, dressed in a grey suit and bolo tie, exuding a softer, polished rock aesthetic. Adjacent is Wendy O'Williams, captured in a fierce pose with wild blonde hair and a flame-throwing prop, highlighting her punk-metal persona. Next to her, Q5 appear in sleeveless leather outfits, posed confidently.
Mid-left is Waysted, set against a cobalt blue background, dressed in eye-catching shirts with an ’80s hard rock vibe. In the center is Metallica, in an outdoor junkyard setting, showing youthful intensity—this includes early-era members in streetwear with a wrecked car behind them. Bottom center is Loudness in two action-packed shots: one live on stage, the other mid-performance scream.
The bottom row features Legs Diamond in casual rock fashion, styled with teased hair and colorful clothing. On the far right, Agent Steel poses in front of grand neoclassical columns, the lead figure crossing his arms in a defiant stance.
This inner cover montage encapsulates the bold fashion, attitude, and diversity of heavy metal’s visual culture during the mid-1980s, celebrating the unique identities of each featured act.
Photo of "Singles Album" Album's Inner Cover
Inner gatefold photo collage from "Music For Nations: The Singles Album" 2LP, showcasing another vivid selection of heavy metal band portraits, bordered in yellow and set against a bold red background. This arrangement captures a mix of live performance energy, intense attitude, and fashion-forward band visuals.
At the top left is W.A.S.P., with frontman Blackie Lawless in full theatrical costume: shirtless, wild black and white hair, makeup, and studded armwear, striking a fierce expression. Right next to it, Earthshaker is shown mid-performance on a brightly lit stage, featuring a vocalist dramatically lunging forward.
Baby Tuckoo appears in a relaxed group pose with all members smiling, dressed in colorful ’80s attire. Exciter is depicted in classic leather-and-denim metal fashion, posed against a gradient blue backdrop. Rio stands dramatically against a rugged mountainside landscape, dressed in red jumpsuits, giving an almost cinematic feel.
Lower center, Mercyful Fate delivers a dark gothic presence, with King Diamond in full corpse paint, cape, and black outfit, holding a microphone stand shaped like a cross, surrounded by the rest of the band and shadowy medieval props. Virgin Steele is shown in classic rock poses, clad in leather and tiger-striped pants, with a fur-covered amp at their feet.
Tank and Alaska round out the lower section. Tank is dressed in leather jackets with serious, steely expressions, while Alaska appears in a more casual denim-heavy ensemble, framed tightly in front of a neutral background.
This panel celebrates the eclectic styles and personas of heavy metal's golden age, emphasizing theatricality, power, and individuality.
Photo of custom inner sleeve
Inner sleeve artwork from "Music For Nations: The Singles Album" 2LP, featuring a 5x6 grid of thirty monochrome miniature album covers that showcase the influential catalog of Music For Nations. The layout is set against a black background, giving sharp visual contrast to each cover's details.
Starting from the top left, the grid includes iconic heavy metal records such as Manowar - Hail to England, Metallica - Kill 'Em All, Megadeth - Killing Is My Business, Anthrax - Fistful of Metal, Exciter - Violence & Force, and Wendy O. Williams - WOW. Each square features the front cover artwork in high contrast, highlighting logos, dramatic imagery, and album titles.
The middle rows include titles from W.A.S.P., Waysted, Rogue Male, Outlaw, Exodus, Sacred Reich, Twelfth Night, and more. Some designs show band portraits, while others depict fantasy, horror, and post-apocalyptic themes typical of metal aesthetics.
The final row features a second Metallica album—Ride the Lightning—as well as covers by Q5, Speed Kills, Exciter, and Agent Steel. The inclusion of both major and lesser-known acts reflects the label’s broad range and commitment to promoting the heavy metal scene of the 1980s.
In the top-right corner, white text reads: MFN 71 and RECORD 2, identifying the catalog and disc number. This visual archive underscores the legacy of Music For Nations as a powerhouse in heavy metal distribution and production.
Close-up Photo of "Singles Album" Record Label
Side One record label of "Music For Nations: The Singles Album" 2LP, printed in vibrant red and yellow. The upper half features the iconic Music For Nations artwork—an illustration of a muscular man in a yellow shirt extending his left arm across the label, gripping a red flag that wraps around the top and right edge. His face is turned in profile, rendered in heroic detail, set against a stylized red woodgrain background.
The bottom half of the label is bright yellow, clearly printed with black text. It includes the catalog number MFN 71, the speed designation 33⅓ RPM, and the heading VARIOUS ARTISTS – 'MUSIC FOR NATIONS – THE SINGLES ALBUM'. Below this title is the tracklist for Side One:
1. TANK – "Echoes of a Distant Battle" (5:00)
2. ROX – "Sweet Sixteen" (2:39)
3. VIRGIN STEELE – "A Cry in the Night" (Remix) (4:03)
4. METALLICA – "Jump in the Fire" (4:50)
5. MERCYFUL FATE – "Black Funeral" (2:47)
6. EARTHSHAKER – "Blondie Girl" (3:58)
The fine print around the outer edge notes copyright details and reproduction restrictions. The label also states: ℗ 1986 Music For Nations. This design effectively marries branding, visual storytelling, and precise album data, emblematic of the care given to metal vinyl releases in the 1980s.
