Upper Echelon were formed in 1981 in Kirkland, Washington, self-releasing a 4 song EP entitled 'Surface Tension' in 1984.  Despite being from the US, the band had a definite NWOBHM sound.  Although Queensryche's EP was the best EP to come from the Area, Upper Echelon's effort was pretty darn good in its own right.  They recorded another demo in 1985, and were included in a promotional only tape release (along with other bands from the area) called the Northwest Metal Projekt (1986, Tape  Tracklist below).

 

1. Upper Echelon - Red Tape
2. Upper Echelon - Drivin' Mean
3. Hammerhead - Arakian Nightmares
4. Hammerhead - Neighbors
5. Invader - Ride It Out
6. Invader - Master of Suspense
7. Cruella - In Time / Beyond Belief
8. Cruella - Traitors
9. Sanctuary - Battle Angels
10. Sanctuary - Soldiers of Steel
11. Rottweiller - Set the World On Fire
12. Rottweiller - Tough to Take
13. Slaughter Haüs 5 - Reckless Endangerment
14. Slaughter Haüs 5 - More Than a Friend
 

Bonus useless fact - Vocalist Charles Carpp also did the album artwork.

 

​