ETHEL THE FROG ethel the frog EMC3329

A Cult Classic of the NWOBHM: Ethel The Frog’s Self-Titled Debut (EMC 3329)

Today’s entry shines a spotlight on one of the most curiously named bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. We are looking at the 1980 self-titled debut album by Ethel The Frog, released on EMI with the catalog number EMC 3329.

Taking their name from a Monty Python sketch, this Hull-based band is best remembered for their inclusion on the legendary Metal for Muthas compilation. Released in 1980, this was their only studio album, making it a definitive cult item for collectors of the genre. The music is a charming example of the era’s sound: melodic, raw hard rock with twin-guitar harmonies that bridge the gap between 70s rock and 80s metal.

The album is perhaps most famous for its opening track, a heavy metal re-imagining of The Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby. It remains one of the most distinct covers of the NWOBHM era. The rest of the album, written primarily by Paul Sheppard, features catchy rockers like Fight Back and Apple Of Your Eye, showcasing a band that had plenty of potential but unfortunately dissolved shortly after this release.

For vinyl collectors, this original UK pressing on EMI holds a fascinating secret in the dead wax. The runout grooves feature a crossed-out matrix number: 12 EMI 5041. This suggests that the album was originally intended to be released under a different catalog number, or perhaps as a 12-inch EP series, before being switched to the standard EMC album series at the last minute. The cover was printed by Garrod & Lofthouse, a standard for high-quality British sleeves of the time. EMC 3329 is a quirky, essential piece of history for anyone documenting the explosion of British metal in 1980.